The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
November 2, 2019
Commentary
All during Jesus’ public ministry, He exposed the self-righteousness and unbelief of the Pharisees (v. 9). This happens again in the case in this parable. The people who lived near Jerusalem often went to the temple to pray. The temple was their center of worship. On this occasion , “Two men went up into the temple to pray” (v. 10). One was a Pharisee, and the other was a Publican (Not a Republican but a tax collector). When the Pharisee prayed, he told God and everyone who was listening how good he was (vv. 11-13). He thought he was accepted by God because of what he did or what he did not do. He fasted twice a week, and he tithed everything that came into his possession.
Jesus summarized the main principle of the parable: “For everyone that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself will be exalted” (v. 14). We can paraphrase this verse as follows, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to simply be yourself, you will become more than yourself. The world says, promote yourself, look out for #1. God says, humble yourself, seek Me first. This tax collector’s prayer should be our prayer because we all need God’s mercy every day. Don’t let pride in your achievements cut you off from God.
The Pharisee thought that the publican was a great sinner but instead, this humble publican was forgiven and justified (v. 14). The publican repeatedly smote his breast, because he knew what a great sinner he was and he cried out to God for mercy (v. 13). On the other hand, the Pharisee was ignorant of his own heart condition and his pride condemned him.
Application
My prayer should be like the tax collector’s prayer because I need God’s mercy every day. I must not allow my achievements to cut me off from God. I am not to be concerned about what others think or do but just talk to the Lord and not care what others think. Also I just need to use regular conversation and not try to use big and flowery words.
Luke 18:9– 14 (NET)
9 Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ 13 The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’ 14 I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Illustration: More Important to Keep Than Read 10 Commandments
A businessman well known for his ruthlessness once announced to writer Mark Twain, “Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the 10 Commandments aloud at the top.” “I have a better idea,” replied Twain. “You could stay in Boston and keep them.” (Moody Bible Institute’s Today in the Word, September, 1991, p. 32).