Anchor My Faith

Previous Lesson
Next Lesson
Author: Stephen Weller
641 words, 3 minutes read time

The Pharisee

Scripture: Luke 18:9-12

With the previous lesson we finished the parable of the persistent widow. With this lesson we begin a new section and a new parable; the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

^{Lk 18:9} “He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.”

Notice that this verse is like Luke 18:1 in that it interprets the parable before the parable is given. In verse 1, Jesus “told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart,” and here Jesus “told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.” The parable following verse 1 was going to be an encouragement to always pray and not lose heart. The parable following verse 9, the one we are going to study, is going to be about those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.

^{Lk 18:10} “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ 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. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’”

This parable involves two men, who went up to the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. It is interesting to note the use of two in two other parables. At Luke 15:11 the parable had two sons in which a contrast was drawn. In Luke 17:34-35 there was two sets of two: “two in one bed” and “two women grinding together.” In both cases “one will be taken and the other left” behind.

The first man mentioned was a Pharisee, who illustrates those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt” mentioned in verse 1. The second man was a tax collector who was being treated by the first man with contempt. Tax collectors were known to be notoriously dishonest, but some believed Jesus and sought forgiveness.

Following the Pharisee into the temple, we find him “standing by himself.” He may have chosen to do so because he recognized the second man as a tax collector; a sinner who was to be avoided. He may have stood as a hypocrite to be noticed (Matthew 6:5). It is however noted in Mark 11:25 that standing to pray was common. The context of his prayer suggest that he was standing to be noticed as he boasts about his righteousness.  

In his prayer, the Pharisee does not thank God for what God has done for him, but instead uses “I” five times to arrogantly brag to God about his moral purity and religious piety. His prayer indicates that he is similar to those found in Revelation 3:17 ESV: “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

He claims to fast twice a week, more than required by Old Testament law. Various kinds of fasts were practiced, but the law only required one fast per year, on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29 – 34; 23:26 – 32). He claims to give tithes of all that he gets, but he is required only to give a tithe of his crop (Deuteronomy 14:22 – 27, Leviticus 27:30 – 32).

Conclusion

The short prayer of the Pharisee contained words of pride, arrogance and self-righteousness. His heart was far from God and unless he humbles himself before God and seeks his forgiveness, he will fall into the eternal pit of destruction.