Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9-14

[9] And  he spake  parable  unto  certain  which  trusted  in  themselves  that  righteous,  and  despised  others:  [10] Two  men  went up  into  the temple  to pray;  the one  a Pharisee,  and  the other  a publican.  [11] The Pharisee  stood  and prayed  with  himself,  God,  I thank  that  I am  not  as  other  men  are, extortioners,  unjust,  adulterers,  or  even  as  this  publican.  [12] I fast  twice  in the week,  I give tithes  of all  that  I possess.  [13] the publican,  standing  afar off,  would  not  lift up  so much as  his eyes  unto  heaven,  but  smote  upon  his  breast,  saying,  God  be merciful  a sinner.  [14] I tell  this man  went down  to  his  house  justified  the other:  for  every one  that exalteth  himself  shall be abased;  and  he that humbleth  himself  shall be exalted. 

What does Luke 18:9-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The superficial connection between this pericope and the preceding one is that they both contain parables about prayer.
"This parable follows as giving the spirit in which men should pray." [1]
However the more significant link is the people of faith ( Luke 18:8). This parable graphically contrasts those who reject Jesus" gospel with those who receive it. Jesus drew a verbal picture to identify the characteristic traits of two representative groups of Jews. Both parables deal with righteousness: the unrighteous judge in the first one, and the self-righteous Pharisee in the second.