Luke 18:11
The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The Pharisee's prayer begins with "God, I thank you," but this isn't a humble acknowledgment of God's grace. Instead, he's using thanksgiving as a shield to congratulate himself, listing his virtues in contrast to others, especially the tax collector nearby. This reveals a subtle but crucial distinction: true thanksgiving celebrates God's goodness received, while this Pharisee's prayer is a self-congratulatory performance, elevating himself by looking down on everyone else.
Jesus is telling a parable to a group who are confident in their own righteousness and look down on others. He sets up a scene in the Temple where two men, a proud Pharisee and a humble tax collector, go to pray. The Pharisee's prayer, which immediately follows, reveals his self-righteousness and contempt for everyone else, especially the tax collector praying nearby.
Have you ever noticed how some prayers sound more like a trophy case than a heartfelt plea? The Pharisee's prayer is a prime example.
Jesus tells us the Pharisee prayed 'with himself.' This doesn't just mean he was praying internally; it means his prayer was about himself. He wasn't seeking God's wisdom or mercy, but rather congratulating himself on his perceived superiority. His focus was on his own accomplishments and how they measured up against others, rather than on his relationship with God or his need for grace.
This kind of self-focused prayer can easily become a trap. Instead of drawing us closer to God, it can puff us up, making us blind to our own flaws and fostering a critical spirit towards others. True prayer involves humility, recognizing our dependence on God, and seeking His will above our own.
The Pharisee sharply distinguished himself from 'other men.' What does this separation do to our faith and our view of others?
The Pharisee divided the world into two neat categories: himself (righteous) and everyone else (sinful). He used his adherence to the Law – fasting, tithing, and avoiding gross sins – not as a means to draw closer to God, but as proof of his superiority. He specifically points to the tax collector, a symbol of societal disgrace, to highlight his own perceived virtue.
This 'othering' is a subtle but dangerous spiritual trap. It allows us to feel good about ourselves by looking down on those we deem 'less than.' However, Jesus' ministry consistently challenged such divisions. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, showing that God's grace is extended not to the self-righteous, but to those who recognize their need for it. True faith doesn't create walls between people; it builds bridges of compassion.
Understand the original words
Pharisaios · Greek Noun
A member of a Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the oral and written Law, often characterized in the New Testament for their outward piety and self-righteousness.
harpax · Greek Adjective/Noun
The act of seizing, robbing, or obtaining something by force or threat; in a biblical context, it denotes a lack of integrity and exploitation of others.
adikos · Greek Adjective
One who acts contrary to what is right or fair; lacking righteousness or moral integrity before God and man.
moichos · Greek Noun
One who commits marital unfaithfulness, which is biblically symbolic of breaking covenant or being unfaithful to God.
This parable is set against the backdrop of intense religious and social divisions in Judea during Jesus' ministry, where the Pharisees' outward piety was often contrasted with the perceived sinfulness of groups like tax collectors.
c. 150 BC - AD 70
Rise of the Pharisees
The Pharisee movement gained prominence, emphasizing strict adherence to Mosaic Law and oral traditions, becoming influential in Jewish society.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus began his public ministry, often interacting with and critiquing the religious practices and attitudes of groups like the Pharisees and tax collectors.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus Tells the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Jesus recounts this parable in Jerusalem, directly addressing people who trusted in their own righteousness and looked down on others.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem marked a significant turning point for Judaism, intensifying focus on prayer and synagogue life.
This verse powerfully states that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' directly contrasting with the Pharisee's self-assessment of superiority over others.
Philippians 2:3Paul urges believers to 'do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves,' highlighting the opposite attitude the Pharisee displayed.
Luke 7:37-38This passage shows a sinful woman approaching Jesus with tears and anointing, demonstrating humble repentance, a stark contrast to the Pharisee's proud self-justification.
Proverbs 16:18This proverb warns, 'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,' which perfectly describes the spiritual downfall of the self-righteous Pharisee.
Isaiah 64:6The prophet declares, 'We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags,' underscoring the inadequacy of human efforts to achieve righteousness apart from God's grace.
calvinLuke 18:9-14: "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"
- And he spoke also this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were 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 standing [327] prayed these things within himself: God, I thank thee that I am not as other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterous, or even as this…
gillLuke 18:11: "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican."
The Pharisee stood,.... Standing was a praying posture; See Gill on Matthew 6:5 nor is this observed, as if it was something amiss: but the sense is, either that he stood in some place of eminence, that he might be seen of others; or he stood in a set, fixed posture, in a very grave and solemn manner, showing great devotion…
The Pharisee's prayer begins with "God, I thank you," but this isn't a humble acknowledgment of God's grace. Instead, he's using thanksgiving as a shield to congratulate himself, listing his virtues in contrast to others, especially the tax collector nearby. This reveals a subtle but crucial distinction: true thanksgiving celebrates God's goodness received, while this Pharisee's prayer is a self-congratulatory performance, elevating himself by looking down on everyone else.
Jesus is telling a parable to a group who are confident in their own righteousness and look down on others. He sets up a scene in the Temple where two men, a proud Pharisee and a humble tax collector, go to pray. The Pharisee's prayer, which immediately follows, reveals his self-righteousness and contempt for everyone else, especially the tax collector praying nearby.
Jesus is telling a parable to a group who are confident in their own righteousness and look down on others. He sets up a scene in the Temple where two men, a proud Pharisee and a humble tax collector, go to pray. The Pharisee's prayer, which immediately follows, reveals his self-righteousness and contempt for everyone else, especially the tax collector praying nearby.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 18:11 is available in the Sola app.
telōnēs · Greek Noun
A collector of taxes for the Roman government, typically viewed by Jewish society as a traitor and a collaborator who often extorted his own people.
"The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector." — The Pharisee's prayer begins with "God, I thank you," but this isn't a humble acknowledgment of God's grace. Instead, he's using thanksgiving as a shield to congratulate himself, listing his virtues…
