The Bible Text (Luke 18:9-14)

And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. “The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ “But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14, NASB).

An Introduction (Luke 18:9-14)

This parable targets those that think they do not need help. If in the first parable (18:1-8) Jesus addressed those in great need and about to give up hope, here, Jesus faces those who do not think that they are in any special need. They think that they have it altogether. They would be considered 'good' or 'righteous' by those around them, but they fall far short of God's standards. They will be in for a great surprise.

Jesus seemed to be speaking to the disciples themselves. They had the tinge of pride about how they followed Jesus while others didn't. Is it possible that they too could learn from Jesus? Was Jesus trying to warn them but they didn't notice?

Notice how each parable is prefaced by its purpose (see Luke 18:1,9). The Lord did not want the storytelling overpower the message!

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Bible Study Questions (Luke 18:9-14)

How is man saved? Is a man justified (seen as righteous) by his ways or by his faith in Jesus Christ? Compare Romans 2-3 and James 2:14-26.

• Who did Jesus target this parable’s teaching towards (18:9)?

• Do you think this problem of self-righteous people is as much a problem today as back then? Explain.

• Jesus says that because they trusted themselves, they had two problems. What were they (18:1)?

• How does each of these views affect one’s relationship with God and others?

• How does the parable go (Luke 18:10-13?

• Who were the prime actors? Who does each person stand for?

• What did each man do and what was his reward?

• What was the rule Jesus used from which He judged these men (Luke 18:14)?

“Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled and (but) he who humbles himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:11; 18:14).

The Application Questions

In what areas of life do you ‘have confidence in yourself?’ Is this good or bad in light of Luke 18:9?

Is it okay to be better than others? How can we grow in righteousness without becoming self-righteous?

We are called to humble ourselves. Name seven ways to humble yourself and do them! After you make your list, check here!

Many people who have a religion or philosophy are self-righteous. They think their ways are better than others and so as a result ignore God and despise others. This is also true sometimes of those who profess to be a Christian. Do you know of any such people? How do you know you are not like this?

Reflect on the supposedly 'tolerant' people out there. Why are they so intolerant to people who disagree with them? (eg. Humanists simply despise creationists). Do you think this is because they despise others who are not as good as them (i.e. according to their standards)?

A Summary (Luke 18:9-14)

People tend to have two extremes.

We can easily fall into the helpless category where we do not trust the Lord (Luke 19:1-8) or have a lot of confidence but in the wrong place–in this case it was by comparing the things he did with others. In the first case, God does not get glory because we do not ask to see His great works. He does not do them. In the later, we are so focused on ourselves that we cannot even think about His glory.