This work they had not fulfilled. Christ's words were a rebuke to their selfishness. To the Pharisees His words were distasteful. Hoping to turn the conversation into another channel, one of them, with a sanctimonious air, exclaimed, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." This man spoke with great assurance, as if he himself were certain of a place in the kingdom. His attitude was similar to the attitude of those who rejoice that they are saved by Christ, when they do not comply with the conditions upon which salvation is promised. His spirit was like that of Balaam when he prayed, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." Num. 23:10. The Pharisee was not thinking of his own fitness for heaven but of what he hoped to enjoy in heaven. His remark was designed to turn away the minds of the guests at the feast from the subject of their practical duty. He thought to carry them past the present life to the remote time of the resurrection of the just.

Denne gerning havde de ikke fuldbyrdet. Kristi ord var en irettesættelse for deres egenkærlighed. Hans ord var ubehagelige for farisæerne. En af dem, der håbede at lede samtalen hen på noget andet, udbrød med en skinhellig mine: "Salig er den, som holder måltid i Guds rige!" Denne mand talte med stor overbevisning, som om han selv var sikker på at få en plads i riget. Hans indstilling var lig deres indstilling, der glæder sig over at være frelst ved Jesus Kristus, selv om de ikke opfylder de betingelser som frelsen er afhængig af. Hans sind var ligesom Bileams, dengang han bad: "Min sjæl dø de oprigtiges død, og mit endeligt vorde som deres." Farisæeren tænkte ikke på, om han selv var skikket til at komme i Himmelen, men på, hvad han håbede at glæde sig over i Himmelen. Hans bemærkning var blevet udtalt i den hensigt at lede festdeltagernes tanker bort fra emnets anvendelse i praksis. Han ønskede at lede dem bort fra nutiden til engang langt ud i fremtiden ved de retfærdiges opstandelse.