Luke 18:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

NASB: The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

CSB: The Pharisee was standing and praying like this about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like other people—greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

NLT: The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer : ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people — cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!

KJV: 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.

NKJV: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.

Jesus' parable begins with a Pharisee and a tax collector at the temple, praying (Luke 18:10). Pharisees are known for being rule-followers. They not only obey the Mosaic law, but they also create and follow extra rules that specifically define the Mosaic law. Tax collectors are known for working with Gentiles and demanding more money from the people than is reasonable. They are ceremonially and morally unclean. Where Pharisees are generally admired by the people, tax collectors are openly despised.

Pharisees cling to their reputation of being more righteous than anyone else. Even Jesus notes their righteous acts (Matthew 5:20). The Pharisee's prayer reflects this. He contrasts himself to swindlers, crooks, the unfaithful, and tax collectors. He may even think he's better than his fellow sect members. Jesus criticizes Pharisees for being swindlers, using the Mosaic law to bank money that should go to the care of their elderly parents (Mark 7:10–13). In some way Jesus doesn't clarify, they unjustly "devour widows' houses" (Mark 12:40). They commit adultery against God by loving their manmade traditions more than God's Law (Mark 7:6–9).

This Pharisee would do far better to emulate the man he condemns. The Pharisee holds up his legalistic deeds—which may have ulterior motives—as if they are good works deserving of praise. The tax collector knows he is a sinner and humbly begs for mercy. The Pharisee cheats God and seeks people's acclaim. The tax collector has cheated people—or so this parable assumes—but seeks God's forgiveness (Luke 18:12–14).

The only certainly true statement made by the Pharisee is that he is not like the tax collector.

Luke 18:9–14 records the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. This is Jesus' second prayer-based contrast. The unrighteous judge of the prior lesson only granted justice because doing otherwise disturbed his comfort. Yet God promises justice to all His praying followers (Luke 18:1–8). Here, the prayers of a self-righteous Pharisee compare poorly to the humility of a tax collector. Only the tax collector leaves forgiven. The next two stories contrast the guileless trust of children against the hesitation of a wealthy man (Luke 18:15–30). Jesus gives a similar moral in Matthew 6:5–6.

Luke continues to arrange Jesus' teachings by their topic. Here, he includes two parables: the persistent widow and the Pharisee and the tax collector. Jesus encourages children to approach Him. He interacts with a moral, wealthy man who can't bear to follow Jesus if it means giving up wealth. After another prediction of His death, Jesus encounters and heals a blind man on His way to Jerusalem.

Luke 18 approaches the end of Jesus' "travelogue" to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27). Luke has selected miracles, teachings, and events to show how Jesus trained His disciples. His emphasis was explaining the kingdom of God in preparation for their work to build the church. Luke 18 includes several contrasts between those who understand God's kingdom and those who don't. Luke 19 includes the story of Zacchaeus and another parable before Jesus' triumphal entry and the Passion Week. These stories are also found primarily in Matthew 19—20 and Mark 10.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.