The Pharisee and the Publican Parable Quiz — Questions and Answers
All 10 questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the King James Version reference. Use this page as a study guide, an answer key, or a quick review sheet.
Q1.Who told this parable?
- A. Jesus unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others ✓
- B. John the Baptist
- C. Paul
- D. Peter
Answer: Jesus unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. (Luke 18:9)
Q2.Where did the two men go to pray?
- A. Up into the temple ✓
- B. Into the synagogue
- C. Into the wilderness
- D. Into a house
Answer: Up into the temple
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. (Luke 18:10)
Q3.How did the Pharisee pray?
- A. God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican ✓
- B. God, be merciful to me a sinner
- C. Lord, Lord
- D. Have mercy on me
Answer: God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican
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. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:11-12)
Q4.Where did the publican stand?
- A. Afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast ✓
- B. At the front of the temple
- C. Beside the Pharisee
- D. On the temple steps
Answer: Afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast
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)
Q5.What did the publican say?
- A. God be merciful to me a sinner ✓
- B. I thank thee that I am righteous
- C. I fast twice a week
- D. I give tithes of all I possess
Answer: God be merciful to me a sinner
God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13)
Q6.Which man went down to his house justified?
- A. The publican rather than the other ✓
- B. The Pharisee
- C. Both equally
- D. Neither
Answer: The publican rather than the other
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. (Luke 18:14)
Q7.What does the parable say about those who exalt themselves?
- A. Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased ✓
- B. They shall be praised
- C. They shall be honoured
- D. They shall be rewarded
Answer: Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased
For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
Q8.What does it say about those who humble themselves?
- A. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted ✓
- B. He shall be forgotten
- C. He shall be despised
- D. He shall be rejected
Answer: He that humbleth himself shall be exalted
He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
Q9.What was wrong with the Pharisee's prayer?
- A. He trusted in himself and despised others, boasting of his own righteousness ✓
- B. He prayed too loudly
- C. He prayed in the wrong place
- D. He used the wrong words
Answer: He trusted in himself and despised others, boasting of his own righteousness
The Pharisee's prayer was self-righteous and proud — he trusted in his own works and looked down on others, rather than humbly seeking God's mercy. (Luke 18:11-14)
Q10.What does this parable teach about justification?
- A. It comes by humble repentance and faith in God's mercy, not by self-righteousness ✓
- B. It comes by keeping the law
- C. It comes by fasting
- D. It comes by tithing
Answer: It comes by humble repentance and faith in God's mercy, not by self-righteousness
The publican was justified because he recognized his sinfulness and cast himself entirely on God's mercy, while the Pharisee trusted in his own works. (Luke 18:14)