“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted’” (Luke 18:9-14).
This was a parable, not an actual event of two men who went to pray. But parables were based in reality. In this parable, Jesus focused on two individuals and highlighted a particular character trait in order to contrast them with each other.
- A Pharisee and his arrogance – In his prayer, the Pharisee exalted himself over others (including the tax collector) and bragged of his deeds (fasting and paying tithes). As he did this, Jesus said he was “praying this to himself” (Luke 18:11). He was certainly not praying to God because the Lord did not accept him in his arrogance (Luke 18:14).
- A tax collector and his humility – As this man prayed, he was bowing his head, acknowledging his sin, and begging for mercy. These are all indications that he humbled himself before God (Luke 18:14).
Jesus’ parable is not meant to indicate that tax collectors in general were humble, only that the one in His parable was humble – it is possible he was an exception among that group. However, we do know that many tax collectors were receptive to Jesus and His teaching (Matthew 9:10; 21:28-32; Luke 7:29-30; 15:1). This would indicate a measure of humility (cf. James 1:21). We also know, based upon the recorded interactions between Jesus and the Pharisees that those of this sect were generally arrogant.
When Jesus introduced this parable, He directed it to those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt” (Luke 18:9). We see in this verse that arrogance does two things to one’s perception:
- The perception of self – The Pharisees “trusted in themselves that they were righteous” (Luke 18:9). The one in Jesus’ parable never made an acknowledgement of sin in his prayer in order to penitently ask for forgiveness as the tax collector did. We must be willing and able to acknowledge our sin, otherwise we will never be forgiven. John wrote, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). We must be able to admit sin so we can repent and confess it. Furthermore, despite whatever good deeds we may do – and the Pharisee listed several in his prayer – we are still “unworthy slaves” who have earned nothing from God (Luke 17:10).
- The perception of others – The Pharisees also “viewed others with contempt” (Luke 18:9). The Scriptures teach that God is willing to save anyone who will fear and obey Him (Acts 10:34-35). Despite what Calvinism teaches, Jesus did not die for a select few; He died for the whole world (John 3:16). While it may be true that others are guilty of sins that we think we would never commit, we must still “not be conceited, but fear” because we can still be “cut off” if we are not faithful (Romans 11:18-22). Yet we must always remember that God’s favor has been extended to everyone, not just to us.
The wise man said, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Proverbs 16:18). The Pharisees were arrogant. Because of this, they could not see their own sin and could not see how God could accept certain other people (like the tax collector).
So who are the real Pharisees today? They are not the ones who are humbly seeking to serve the Lord. Instead, they are those who believe they are better than others and that God, because of their righteousness, owes them a reward.
