He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that self-righteousness isn't just about being righteous, but about trusting in one's own perceived righteousness, which inevitably leads to looking down on everyone else. This internal conviction of superiority, rather than outward actions, is what Jesus targets as the root of contempt.
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to a specific audience: people who were convinced of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else. This follows His teachings on persistent prayer and precedes His interactions with the rich ruler and His warnings about wealth, as He journeys towards Jerusalem.
Ever feel like you've 'got it all together' spiritually, especially when you see others struggling? This parable calls that kind of thinking into question.
Jesus targets a specific kind of person here: those who 'trusted in themselves that they were righteous.' This isn't about genuine godliness, but a self-deception. Their righteousness wasn't rooted in God's grace, but in their own performance and external observance of religious rules. Think of it as building a house on sand – it looks impressive, but it can't withstand the storms.
This self-reliance leads to a dangerous blindness. They can't see their own need for God's mercy because they're too busy looking at how 'good' they are compared to others.
When we're convinced of our own spiritual superiority, it's almost impossible not to look down on others. Why is that?
The second part of the verse reveals a natural consequence of self-righteousness: contempt for others. The Greek word translated 'treated others with contempt' literally means 'to make nothing of them' or 'to set them at nought.'
This isn't just mild disapproval; it's a deep-seated disdain that views others as insignificant, unworthy, or simply 'less than.' When our measure of righteousness is our own performance, anyone who doesn't measure up becomes an object of scorn. It's a spiritual arrogance that believes it has the right to judge and dismiss others, forgetting that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory.
Understand the original words
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parabolē · Greek Noun
A short, allegorical story used by Jesus to teach spiritual truths. It often uses common life situations to illustrate deeper moral or kingdom principles.
dikaios · Greek Adjective
The state of being right in the eyes of God. True righteousness is a gift of God received through faith in Christ, but the term can also refer to the false self-sufficiency of those who rely on their own moral performance.
exoutheneō · Greek Verb
A feeling of superiority that leads one to treat others as worthless or beneath consideration. Biblically, it is condemned as a prideful attitude that rejects the dignity of others made in God's image.
This parable was spoken as Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem, a time of increasing confrontation with the religious elite. It directly addresses the prevalent self-righteousness of some Pharisees and their followers, highlighting a critical disconnect from genuine humility before God.
c. 2nd Century BC
Rise of the Pharisees
The Hasidic Jewish movement evolves into the Pharisees, a prominent sect emphasizing strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions. They become influential, particularly among the common people and in religious courts.
c. 1st Century BC - 1st Century AD
Pharisaic Influence Grows
Pharisaic influence grows significantly in Judea during the late Second Temple period. Their interpretations of the Law and their emphasis on ritual purity gain widespread acceptance, often leading to a sense of self-righteousness among their followers.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
During Jesus' ministry, the tension between his teachings and the prevailing religious establishment, particularly the Pharisees, intensifies. Jesus frequently confronts their hypocrisy and self-righteousness.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Final Journey to Jerusalem
In the final months before his crucifixion, Jesus travels towards Jerusalem. During this journey, he delivers numerous teachings and parables, including the one about the Pharisee and the tax collector.
c. AD 30-33
The Temple: Center of Worship
The Jerusalem Temple is the heart of Jewish worship and religious life. Pilgrims, like the Pharisee and tax collector in the parable, would ascend to the Temple courts to pray during appointed hours.
This proverb directly echoes the theme of pride and humility, stating that 'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,' highlighting the danger of the self-righteous attitude described in Luke 18:9.
Romans 10:3Paul addresses the same issue of self-righteousness in the context of the Jewish people, noting that they 'tried to establish their own righteousness' instead of submitting to God's righteousness through Christ, a concept directly contrasted by the parable's message.
Isaiah 65:5This prophetic passage vividly describes a similar spirit of self-exaltation and separation, where people say, 'Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am set apart from you!' This mirrors the contempt the Pharisee felt for the publican and others.
Galatians 6:3Paul warns against the delusion of thinking oneself something when one is nothing, which is the core error of the self-righteous individuals Jesus addresses. He urges believers not to deceive themselves about their spiritual standing.
Luke 7:36-50This earlier account of Jesus dining with a Pharisee and a sinful woman presents a powerful parallel. The Pharisee's critical judgment of both Jesus and the woman, based on his own perceived righteousness, stands in stark contrast to the woman's humble and loving devotion, mirroring the Pharisee and publican parable.
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 18:9: "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"
And he spake this parable unto certain,.... Or with respect to certain men; having a view to them, in order to expose their pride, vanity, arrogance, and self confidence: which trusted in themselves that they were righteous; or, as if they were righteous; or because they were so in their own eyes, and in the esteem of others: the ground of their trust and confidence wer…
The verse highlights that self-righteousness isn't just about being righteous, but about trusting in one's own perceived righteousness, which inevitably leads to looking down on everyone else. This internal conviction of superiority, rather than outward actions, is what Jesus targets as the root of contempt.
Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to a specific audience: people who were convinced of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else. This follows His teachings on persistent prayer and precedes His interactions with the rich ruler and His warnings about wealth, as He journeys towards Jerusalem.
Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to a specific audience: people who were convinced of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else. This follows His teachings on persistent prayer and precedes His interactions with the rich ruler and His warnings about wealth, as He journeys towards Jerusalem.
"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:" — The verse highlights that self-righteousness isn't just about being righteous, but about trusting in one's own perceived righteousness, which inevitably leads to looking down on everyone else. Th…
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Last reviewed October 2026