Luke 18:9
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights a dual sin: not only did they trust in their own perceived righteousness, but this self-reliance directly fueled their contempt for everyone else. This internal arrogance projected outward, making them feel superior to all others in God's eyes.
Jesus tells this parable to a specific audience – people who are convinced of their own righteousness and look down on everyone else. This sets the stage for a story designed to expose the dangerous illusion of self-sufficiency and to show that genuine favor with God comes from humility, not from perceived merit.
Ever feel like you've got things all figured out, and others don't? This verse cuts right to the heart of that tendency.
Jesus addresses a group of people who were convinced of their own goodness. They weren't just good in their own eyes; they had a deep, internal confidence in their own righteousness.
When we feel good about ourselves, it's easy to start looking down on everyone else. Jesus connects these two attitudes directly.
The second part of the verse, 'and treated others with contempt,' is not a separate issue but a direct consequence of the first.
Understand the original words
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 told during Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, in a context where religious pride was rampant among some Jewish leaders and their followers, contrasting sharply with the despised but repentant tax collectors.
c. 2nd century BC - 1st century AD
Rise of the Pharisees
The Pharisaic movement gained prominence, emphasizing strict adherence to both the written Law and oral traditions. Many Pharisees developed a reputation for piety and legal observance.
c. 1st century AD
Publicans as Tax Collectors
Publicans (tax collectors) were often Jewish individuals who worked for the Roman authorities. They were widely despised by their countrymen due to their association with the occupying power and their reputation for greed and corruption.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
During his public ministry, Jesus frequently interacted with both Pharisees and publicans, often challenging the religious and social norms of the time. He was known to eat with sinners and publicans, which drew criticism from the religious elite.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Tells the Parable
Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to a specific group of people who viewed themselves as righteous and looked down on others, directly addressing their self-deceptive pride.
This verse directly echoes the parable's theme, stating 'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,' highlighting the danger of self-trust and contempt for others that Jesus condemns.
Isaiah 65:5This prophetic passage describes a similar attitude of self-righteousness and exclusion: 'Who say, Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am set apart from you. These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.' This captures the essence of the Pharisee's contempt and isolation.
Romans 10:3Paul directly addresses the same issue of misplaced righteousness, explaining that many Jews 'have not understood the righteousness of God, but sought to establish their own righteousness they did not submit to the righteousness of God.' This reflects the core problem of the people Jesus spoke to in Luke.
Matthew 23:12Jesus himself reiterates the principle from the parable in his woes against the Pharisees: 'Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.' This shows the consistent emphasis on humility versus pride throughout his ministry.
1 Samuel 16:7When Samuel is looking for a king, God states, 'Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.' This contrasts the Pharisee's focus on external actions with God's true concern for inner humility and sincerity, which the publican displayed.
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 a dual sin: not only did they trust in their own perceived righteousness, but this self-reliance directly fueled their contempt for everyone else. This internal arrogance projected outward, making them feel superior to all others in God's eyes.
Jesus tells this parable to a specific audience – people who are convinced of their own righteousness and look down on everyone else. This sets the stage for a story designed to expose the dangerous illusion of self-sufficiency and to show that genuine favor with God comes from humility, not from perceived merit.
Jesus tells this parable to a specific audience – people who are convinced of their own righteousness and look down on everyone else. This sets the stage for a story designed to expose the dangerous illusion of self-sufficiency and to show that genuine favor with God comes from humility, not from perceived merit.
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c. AD 30
Jesus Teaches on Humility
Following this parable, Jesus continued to teach about humility, illustrating it further with the example of children, emphasizing that a true follower must be humble like them.
"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:" — The verse highlights a dual sin: not only did they trust in their own perceived righteousness, but this self-reliance directly fueled their contempt for everyone else. This internal arrogance project…
