Parable Series: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9–14)
“True Righteousness Begins with Repentance.”
The Parable:
A Pharisee prays confidently, thanking God that he is not like other sinners. A tax collector stands far off, beating his chest and begging for mercy. Jesus declares that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified.
Initial Misunderstanding:
The Pharisee looks outwardly righteous, while the tax collector seems unworthy of God’s favor.
Deeper Meaning:
The Pharisee’s prayers reveal arrogance. He compares himself to others rather than humbly before God. His reliance is on works, not mercy. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. The one who recognized his sin and sought mercy was made right before God, not the self-righteous man. Tax collectors were despised as traitors who collaborated with Rome and often extorted money. However, this man stands “afar off,” showing humility and awareness of his unworthiness. He won’t lift his eyes to heaven, which is an expression of profound reverence and repentance. He beats his chest, a sign of grief over sin. His simple plea: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” This is a cry for grace, acknowledging guilt and need for forgiveness.
What did we learn?
Approach God with humility.
Don’t trust in outward appearances of righteousness.
God honors the contrite heart, not religious pride.
A Prayer
Lord, teach me to come before You with a humble heart. Guard me from pride and self-righteousness and help me to recognize my daily need for Your mercy. Like the tax collector, may I cry out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” and find my justification in You alone. Amen.