The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
Introduction
In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells a parable that directly confronts the issue of self-righteousness and highlights the value of humility before God. The parable speaks to those who rely on their own perceived righteousness, pointing out that outward religious actions are insufficient if they are not accompanied by a humble heart. This is a direct challenge to those who compare themselves to others in an attempt to justify themselves before God. The parable demonstrates that true justification before God comes not from religious status or works, but from a humble acknowledgment of one’s need for mercy. This teaching, as countercultural in its time as it is today, invites us to examine our hearts and motives before God, reminding us that God values humility and repentance over self-righteous pride.
Read more: What is Good Religion? from James 1.
Self-Righteousness: A Deceptive Trap
Self-righteousness is the belief that one’s moral standing or religious practices make them right with God, often accompanied by a tendency to look down on others. The Pharisee in this parable epitomizes this mindset. He focuses on his own religious accomplishments to claim superiority over others. This is a dangerous position because it leads people to believe that they can earn or deserve God’s favor, often resulting in pride and a lack of compassion toward others. The Pharisee’s prayer reveals a heart that is more concerned with self-praise than genuine humility before God.
The Bible addresses self-righteousness in several places. In Isaiah 64:6, the prophet states, “All our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.” This verse points out that no matter how good or righteous our deeds may seem, they are tainted by sin and cannot stand up to God’s perfect holiness. Similarly, in Romans 3:23, Paul writes, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” indicating that none of us, regardless of our religious observances or moral standing, can justify ourselves before God. Self-righteousness blinds us to the truth that we need God’s grace and mercy.
Jesus condemns self-righteousness in many places in the Gospels. In Matthew 23:12, He says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” This is a direct challenge to the Pharisees and religious leaders who thought they could earn God’s favor through their actions. It serves as a reminder that self-righteousness not only blinds us to our need for grace but also places a barrier between us and God.
Paul addresses this in Ephesians, reminding the people that we are loved before the creation of the earth (before we could do anything) and that we are saved by grace alone.
Why is Humility a Grace-Given Virtue?
Humility, on the other hand, is a gift from God. It is not something we can manufacture on our own. In James 4:6, we read, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humility, therefore, is something that must be cultivated through the grace of God, not through human effort. It is an acknowledgment of our dependence on God and a recognition that we have nothing to boast about before God. The tax collector in the parable models this type of humility—he does not compare himself to others but comes to God as a sinner, acknowledging his need for mercy.
The humility that Jesus calls for is a deep, inward posture of the heart that results in outward actions of love, service, and compassion. This type of humility is in line with the character of Christ, who, despite being God, humbled himself by becoming human and ultimately dying for our sins (Philippians 2:6-8). Humility, therefore, reflects the very nature of God and is a fitting attitude for those who seek to follow Christ.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Luke 18:9-14 and Commentary
Luke 18:9
“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:”
In this verse, Jesus establishes the context for the parable. He addresses a specific audience—those who are self-confident in their own righteousness. The phrase “trusted in themselves” implies that these individuals believe they can rely on their own moral or religious performance to justify them before God. Their self-assurance leads them to look down upon others, regarding them with “contempt.” This shows the dangerous attitude of self-righteousness: it not only fosters pride but also breeds judgmentalism. This is why Jesus speaks directly to such individuals, offering a parable to expose their flawed thinking.
The Pharisee’s mindset, one of self-sufficiency and judgment, reflects a broader spiritual danger. When we trust in our own abilities or perceived goodness to earn God’s favor, we can easily develop a sense of superiority over others. This disconnects us from the grace of God and can prevent us from seeing others as equals in need of God’s mercy.
Finally, Jesus is confronting them to save them from the pitfalls and corruption that unchecked self-righteousness will bring upon them.
Luke 18:10
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.”
Jesus begins the parable by introducing the two characters: the Pharisee and the tax collector. Both men go to the temple, the place of worship, but they approach God with vastly different attitudes. The Pharisee, as we will see, is self-assured in his righteousness, while the tax collector is filled with humility and contrition. The significance of these two figures is important; the Pharisee represents those who follow the law to the letter, while the tax collector embodies those whom society regards as sinful or unworthy.
The choice of a tax collector as the second character is significant. In first-century Jewish society, tax collectors were viewed as traitors who worked for the Roman oppressors and often engaged in corrupt practices. By including this character in the parable, Jesus highlights the contrast between the outward appearance of righteousness and the inward condition of the heart.
Luke 18:11
“The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.’”
Here, the Pharisee’s prayer reveals his self-righteousness. He begins by thanking God for not being like “other people”—those he considers sinners. His prayer is an expression of pride, rooted in his comparison to others. He lists specific types of sinners (thieves, rogues, adulterers) and then points to the tax collector, further solidifying his belief that he is morally superior to those around him.
The Pharisee’s prayer also reveals a lack of true humility. While he acknowledges God, he does so in a way that elevates himself above others. He is not confessing sin or seeking God’s mercy; instead, he is making a boastful statement about his own goodness. This is the danger of self-righteousness: it causes people to focus on their own virtues while ignoring their need for God’s grace.
We live in foolishness if we look primarily at our outward actions and not our inward motives.
Luke 18:12
“I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.”
The Pharisee continues his prayer by recounting his religious observances. Fasting twice a week was an act of piety, far exceeding the required annual fasts, and tithing ten percent of his income was also a significant expression of his commitment to the law. While these actions were outwardly commendable, Jesus highlights that true righteousness is not about following the rules but about the heart behind the actions.
This verse demonstrates that religious observance, while important, is not sufficient to make one right before God. The Pharisee sees these acts as evidence of his righteousness, but they fail to reflect the humility and repentance that God desires. His reliance on his own deeds rather than on God’s mercy reveals his misunderstanding of what truly pleases God.
Luke 18:13
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’”
In contrast to the Pharisee, the tax collector approaches God with humility and repentance. His posture—standing far off, refusing to look up to heaven, and beating his chest—shows his deep awareness of his own sinfulness. He does not justify himself or compare himself to others; instead, he cries out for mercy. His simple, heartfelt prayer reflects the essence of humility: a recognition of one’s personal reality and a cry for God’s grace.
The tax collector’s prayer stands in stark contrast to the Pharisee’s. Whereas the Pharisee focuses on his own accomplishments, the tax collector focuses entirely on God’s mercy. This humility is not self-generated; it is a grace-given posture that allows the tax collector to approach God in honesty and repentance.
In Ephesians, Paul talks about our state without Christ.
James talks about the inner line of good and evil.
Luke 18:14
“I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus concludes the parable with a surprising reversal of expectations: the tax collector, not the Pharisee, is justified before God. This teaches that humility and repentance are the keys to justification, not outward religiosity. Jesus emphasizes that those who exalt themselves, like the Pharisee, will be humbled, while those who humble themselves, like the tax collector, will be exalted. This principle is consistent throughout the Gospels, where Jesus repeatedly challenges the idea that external displays of righteousness are enough to secure God’s favor.
Jesus’ teaching here is a reminder that justification comes through grace alone. No amount of religious observance or moral superiority can earn us righteousness before God. It is only through a humble heart, acknowledging our need for mercy, that we are justified.
The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector: Meaning for Today
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector continues to challenge our hearts and attitudes toward righteousness. Jesus teaches us that true righteousness is not based on comparison with others or external actions but on humility, repentance, and a reliance on God’s mercy. We cannot earn God’s favor through our works, and to think so only leads to pride and spiritual blindness. Instead, we are called to approach God with a humble, repentant heart, recognizing our need for grace.
This parable also calls us to avoid the temptation of judging others based on their outward appearance or perceived moral standing. Jesus flips the societal expectations, showing that those who are humble and broken before God are the ones who find grace. This radical teaching forces us to reassess our own attitudes and to live with humility, remembering that it is by grace that we stand justified before God.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the key lesson from the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector?
The key lesson is that humility, repentance, and reliance on God’s mercy are the path to justification before God, not self-righteousness or external religious actions.
Why does the Pharisee’s prayer focus on comparing himself to others?
The Pharisee’s prayer reflects his pride and self-righteousness. He believes his religious practices make him superior to others, including the tax collector, whom he considers sinful.
Why was the tax collector justified rather than the Pharisee?
The tax collector was justified because he approached God with humility and repentance, acknowledging his need for mercy. Jesus emphasizes that those who humble themselves before God will be exalted, whereas self-exaltation leads to humiliation.
