The Parable of the Pharisee & the Tax Collector
Luke 18:9-14 Amplified Bible
Luke 18:9
“He (Jesus) also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [posing outwardly as upright and in right standing with God], and who viewed others with contempt:...”.
There’s something that needs to be explained about the Pharisaic Sect of Jesus time. This parable shows that the Pharisee prayed alone. This reveals the essence of Pharisaic belief, which is separation from others. This, in and of itself is not a problem because when the sect began Israel needed a distinctive group who would maintain piety that would stand in stark contrast to the encroaching pagan Hellenism [1]. The good that this started out as slowly became a hardened self-righteousness which butted heads with Jesus’ teachings.
So a Pharisee and a tax collector both went to the Temple to pray. We’ve mentioned the condition of the Pharisee, but what of the tax collector? They were considered by the Jews to be social outcasts because they were Jews who were collecting taxes from the people on behalf of the Roman government. They were considered traitors to their people. So when they both prayed the Pharisee spoke arrogantly thanking God that he was not a sinner like those that lived around him ... specifically mentioning tax collectors in that grouping. The tax collector didn’t even look up toward heaven when he prayed. He knew his sinful condition and asked the Lord to be merciful and gracious to him, recognizing that he was an especially wicked sinner. Because he came before the Lord in humility, recognizing his need for forgiveness, he was made in right standing with God rather than the Pharisee, whose lack of humility spoke volumes of his spiritual condition.
Do not be fooled. God is not mocked. He knows your hearts condition regarding him. He knows if you are play acting or are sincere with regards to your relationship with him. If you have sinned against both God and your fellow man, come to the Lord with a contrite and sorrowful heart and seek forgiveness. Your humble spirit will be rewarded with the forgiveness you seek. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In his name & for his glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament, Copyright 2004; https://www.gotquestions.org/Hellenism.html.
[1] ‘Hellenism’ is the term used to describe the influence of Greek culture on the peoples the Greek and Roman Empires conquered or interacted with.
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