What Is the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican — In Biblical Context
Jesus contrasted a self-righteous Pharisee with a humble tax collector—only the publican who cried 'God be merciful to me a sinner' went home justified.
Jesus contrasted a self-righteous Pharisee with a humble tax collector—only the publican who cried 'God be merciful to me a sinner' went home justified.
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." — Luke 18:13 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus told this parable to those who trusted in their own righteousness. A Pharisee stood and prayed boastfully, thanking God that he was not like other sinners. Meanwhile, a publican (tax collector) stood far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, and beat his breast saying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner.' Jesus declared that the publican went home justified rather than the Pharisee, 'for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.' This parable teaches that God responds to genuine humility and repentance, not religious performance.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Luke 18:13, sits inside Luke 18. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."
Supporting Passages
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
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