Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is turning the world's upside down here. He’s not just saying pride leads to a fall and humility to elevation; he's highlighting that the very act of "exalting oneself" is what causes the downfall, and conversely, the act of "humbling oneself" is what brings the exaltation. It’s a direct cause-and-effect within God's economy, not just a reward for good behavior.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished a scathing critique of the scribes and Pharisees, exposing their hypocrisy and love for public recognition. He contrasts their outward show with their inner emptiness and emphasizes that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in serving others, not seeking status. This verse serves as a concluding principle to that entire section, directly addressing the disciples and the crowds about the core attitude expected of them in contrast to the religious elite.
Jesus saves His harshest words for those who puff themselves up. What does it look like to 'exalt yourself' in His eyes, and why is it so dangerous?
Jesus directly confronts the pride of the scribes and Pharisees. They loved the 'first places,' the honorific titles like 'Rabbi,' and sought recognition for their religious practices. This wasn't just a little vanity; it was a fundamental distortion of their calling.
What's the antidote to pride? Jesus points to a radical, counter-cultural path. Discover the surprising power found in genuinely lowering yourself.
The flip side of Jesus' warning is a profound promise: 'whoever humbles himself will be exalted.' This isn't about false humility or a manipulative strategy for gain; it's a deep, internal posture of recognizing our true place before God and others.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
hypsoō · Greek Verb
To lift up, raise high, or praise, often referring to prideful self-promotion or the act of honoring someone; in a negative sense, it denotes arrogance.
tapeinoō · Greek Verb
To be brought low or made lowly, either through divine judgment on pride or through the voluntary act of submitting oneself before God and others.
c. 200 BC - AD 30
Rise of the Pharisee and Scribe influence
During the Second Temple period, the Pharisees and scribes gained significant religious and social authority, interpreting and teaching the Law, and influencing popular piety.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' public ministry and teachings
Jesus publicly taught and ministered throughout Judea and Galilee, often challenging the religious authorities and their practices.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' final week in Jerusalem
In his final days, Jesus directly confronted the scribes and Pharisees in the Temple, delivering a series of strong rebukes, including the passage containing this verse.
c. AD 30
Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection
Following his confrontation with the religious leaders, Jesus was crucified and resurrected, a pivotal event that would profoundly impact the understanding of exaltation and humility.
c. AD 40-60
Early Church teachings on humility
The apostolic writings, influenced by Jesus' teachings, continued to emphasize humility, with figures like James and Peter echoing this principle.
This proverb, which Jesus repeats, highlights that the core principle of humility leading to exaltation is a consistent theme throughout his teachings.
James 4:10The Apostle James directly echoes Jesus' teaching, calling believers to humble themselves before God so that they might be lifted up, reinforcing this as a spiritual law.
1 Peter 5:6Peter, like James, urges humility under God's mighty hand, promising that God Himself will exalt those who are humble in His timing.
Proverbs 18:12This Old Testament passage states, 'Before destruction, pride comes, and before a fall, the spirit of pride,' mirroring the 'exaltation leads to humbling' principle.
Philippians 2:3-8This passage powerfully illustrates the principle through Christ Himself, showing how His ultimate exaltation followed His profound self-humbling.
calvinMatthew 23:1-12: "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,"
- Then Jesus spoke to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2. Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses. 3. Observe and do, therefore, all things whatever they command you to observe; but do not according to their works; for they say and do not. 4. For they bind heavy and intolerable burdens, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they refuse to touch them with their finger. 5. And they do all their…
ellicottMatthew 23:12: "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
(12) Whosoever shall exalt himself. —The precept seems to have been one which our Lord desired specially to imprint on the hearts of the disciples. It had been spoken at least twice before, as in Luke 14:11 ; Luke 18:14 . The echoes of it in James 4:10 , 1Peter 5:6 , show that the impression had been made.
Jesus is turning the world's upside down here. He’s not just saying pride leads to a fall and humility to elevation; he's highlighting that the very act of "exalting oneself" is what causes the downfall, and conversely, the act of "humbling oneself" is what brings the exaltation. It’s a direct cause-and-effect within God's economy, not just a reward for good behavior.
Jesus has just finished a scathing critique of the scribes and Pharisees, exposing their hypocrisy and love for public recognition. He contrasts their outward show with their inner emptiness and emphasizes that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in serving others, not seeking status. This verse serves as a concluding principle to that entire section, directly addressing the disciples and the crowds about the core attitude expected of them in contrast to the religious elite.
Jesus has just finished a scathing critique of the scribes and Pharisees, exposing their hypocrisy and love for public recognition. He contrasts their outward show with their inner emptiness and emphasizes that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in serving others, not seeking status. This verse serves as a concluding principle to that entire section, directly addressing the disciples and the crowds about the core attitude expected of them in contrast to the religious elite.
"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." — Jesus is turning the world's upside down here. He’s not just saying pride leads to a fall and humility to elevation; he's highlighting that the very act of "exalting oneself" is what causes the d…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026