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. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Pharisee's prayer is not a humble confession of sin, but a boast disguised as gratitude, where he thanks God for not making him like others, particularly the tax collector, effectively turning thankfulness into a weapon of self-exaltation. He’s not seeking God’s mercy but congratulating himself, focusing entirely on his own perceived righteousness rather than God's.
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. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is telling a parable to a group who are convinced of their own righteousness and look down on others. The story contrasts two men praying in the temple: a Pharisee, who represents self-righteousness, and a tax collector, who embodies humble repentance. The Pharisee's prayer highlights his pride and disdain for the tax collector standing nearby, setting the stage for Jesus' teaching on true humility before God.
This Pharisee stands to pray, but is his prayer aimed at God or himself? Notice how the words he speaks are more about his own perceived goodness than God's glory.
A Prayer Focused Inward
This Pharisee begins with 'God, I thank you...' which sounds like genuine devotion. However, the substance of his prayer reveals a heart that is not truly seeking God, but rather congratulating itself.
The Pharisee feels good about himself by looking down on others. But what does the Bible say about this kind of 'righteousness'?
Righteousness by Comparison?
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The Pharisee’s prayer is a textbook example of a flawed way of evaluating one's spiritual standing: comparison with others, particularly those perceived as worse.
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.
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.
nēsteuō · Greek Verb
A voluntary religious practice of abstaining from food to focus on prayer, repentance, or seeking God's will.
apodekatoō · Greek Verb
A tenth part of one's income or produce given to God, prescribed by the Mosaic Law to acknowledge that all wealth comes from Him.
c. 150 BC
Rise of the Hasidim and the Pharisees
The Hasidim emerged as a devout movement opposing Hellenistic influence. Over time, this group evolved into the Pharisees, emphasizing strict adherence to Jewish law, including oral traditions.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome conquers Judea, leading to a period of Roman rule and the appointment of client kings. This political reality deeply impacted Jewish society and religious life.
c. 20 BC - 10 AD
Pharisaic Influence Grows
During the reigns of Herod the Great and his successors, the Pharisees gained significant influence among the common people due to their piety and perceived adherence to the Law.
c. AD 25-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and challenging the religious establishment. His interactions often highlight the contrast between true righteousness and outward religious observance.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Teachings on Prayer and Humility
Jesus delivers parables and teachings, such as the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, directly addressing themes of pride, humility, and the nature of acceptable prayer.
This parable directly follows the one about the Pharisee and the tax collector, offering a contrasting example of true neighborly love and compassion, highlighting the superficiality of the Pharisee's self-righteousness compared to genuine humility and mercy.
Jesus pronounces woes on the scribes and Pharisees, directly addressing their hypocrisy, their love for outward show, and their burdening of others while not lifting a finger themselves, mirroring the Pharisee's flawed prayer.
This verse states that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,' providing a foundational theological truth that the Pharisee ignores by assuming he is somehow exempt from the common human condition of sinfulness.
Philippians 2:3-4Paul instructs believers to 'do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,' directly opposing the Pharisee's self-congratulatory and contemptuous attitude.
1 Samuel 16:7When Samuel is looking for a king, God tells him, 'The Lord sees not as man sees: for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart,' a crucial reminder that God judges differently than the Pharisee, who focuses only on external actions and boasts.
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 is not a humble confession of sin, but a boast disguised as gratitude, where he thanks God for not making him like others, particularly the tax collector, effectively turning thankfulness into a weapon of self-exaltation. He’s not seeking God’s mercy but congratulating himself, focusing entirely on his own perceived righteousness rather than God's.
Jesus is telling a parable to a group who are convinced of their own righteousness and look down on others. The story contrasts two men praying in the temple: a Pharisee, who represents self-righteousness, and a tax collector, who embodies humble repentance. The Pharisee's prayer highlights his pride and disdain for the tax collector standing nearby, setting the stage for Jesus' teaching on true humility before God.
Jesus is telling a parable to a group who are convinced of their own righteousness and look down on others. The story contrasts two men praying in the temple: a Pharisee, who represents self-righteousness, and a tax collector, who embodies humble repentance. The Pharisee's prayer highlights his pride and disdain for the tax collector standing nearby, setting the stage for Jesus' teaching on true humility before God.
"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. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’" — The Pharisee's prayer is not a humble confession of sin, but a boast disguised as gratitude, where he thanks God for not making him like others, particularly the tax collector, effectively turning…
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Last reviewed October 2026