Knowing The Word in Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Comments

Those who trust in themselves are the heart of the problem and the antithesis of whom Jesus has called “the elect.” In this parable are two figures, a Pharisee, whom one would expect to find praying, and a tax collector, whom one would be surprised to find at prayer. Standing was the normal posture for prayer. Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray after explaining why they need to pray in the previous parable. In his prayer, the Pharisee acknowledges the presence of God but focuses on himself. He tries to impress God with what he does in regard to fasting and tithing. Ironically, the Law only required fasting on the Day of Atonement and that certain crops be tithed, but the Pharisees had a practice of tithing their herbs as well. What we have in doing more than the Law requires is a work of supererogation. “Supererogation” means the performing of more work than is required.

The tax collector prays under the conviction of great sin. In the original Greek he calls himself “the sinner” rather than “a sinner,” putting himself in a class by himself. Jesus tell us his plea was accepted by God and he was justified—put in the right with God. The only thing we can boast about before God is our own sin. The lesson we learn is that penitent sinners will find mercy. That is Jesus’ promise to us.

Application

Are you more interested in hanging out in the company of “Pharisees” or “tax collectors”? Jesus’ beliefs and regular behavior was more in line with the Pharisees than tax collectors, yet he chose to spend time with the latter group rather than the former. Why do you think that was?

Prayer

God, be merciful to me, a sinner!