Luk 18:9-14 | MHM | STEP | The Pharisee and the Publican This parable is aimed at those who trust in themselves for their righteousness and look down on others. Jesus wants to show their mistake and warn them that such pride shuts them out from God’s acceptance. The story contrasts two men praying at the temple, showing their very different attitudes and how God judges them. v. 9-10 : The parable is about two men who went to the temple to pray. The temple was a holy place where prayers were especially accepted. The Pharisee went to be seen by others and to show off his goodness. He wanted people to admire his devotion. The publican, a tax collector, went with a humble heart, seeking God’s mercy. Both came to the same place, but their hearts were very different (Luke 18:9-10 ).

‏ Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee and the Publican

This parable is aimed at those who trust in themselves for their righteousness and look down on others. Jesus wants to show their mistake and warn them that such pride shuts them out from God’s acceptance. The story contrasts two men praying at the temple, showing their very different attitudes and how God judges them.

v. 9-10: The parable is about two men who went to the temple to pray. The temple was a holy place where prayers were especially accepted. The Pharisee went to be seen by others and to show off his goodness. He wanted people to admire his devotion. The publican, a tax collector, went with a humble heart, seeking God’s mercy. Both came to the same place, but their hearts were very different (Luke 18:9-10 ^a).

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v. 11-12: The Pharisee prayed proudly. He thanked God that he was not like other people, who he thought were sinners. He listed good things about himself: he was honest, not greedy or unjust, not an adulterer, fasted twice a week, and gave tithes of all he had. He believed these things made him righteous and thought God owed him favor for them. But his prayer was all about himself, not about God (Luke 18:11-12 ^b).

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v. 13: In contrast, the publican stood far off and was very humble. He did not even lift his eyes to heaven but beat his chest, showing sorrow for his sins. His prayer was simple and honest: God, be merciful to me, a sinner (Luke 18:13 ^c). He knew he was a sinner and asked only for God’s mercy. His prayer was true repentance and humble faith.

v. 14: Jesus says the publican went home justified, accepted by God, not the Pharisee. The proud Pharisee’s self-righteousness shut him out from God’s grace. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 18:14 ^d). This teaches us that true righteousness comes from humility and repentance, not from boasting about our goodness.