Pharisee Prayer in Luke 18 Parable
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, recorded in Luke 18, the Pharisee's prayer exemplifies a self-righteous attitude that Jesus condemns. The parable begins with Jesus addressing those "who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others" [8]. The Pharisee, standing in the temple, prays, "God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax-gatherer" [1].
The act of standing while praying was a common Jewish practice [5]. However, the content and intent of the Pharisee's prayer are the focus of Jesus' teaching. The Pharisee's prayer is described as being "with himself," which some interpretations suggest means he stood alone, apart from others, or that his prayer was self-focused rather than directed truly to God [7]. He expresses gratitude to God, but this gratitude quickly devolves into a comparison with and condemnation of others [5]. He lists his perceived virtues, contrasting himself with "the rest of men" and specifically with the tax collector present in the temple [1]. This self-congratulatory prayer highlights his belief in his own holiness and his contempt for those he deems less righteous [5, 8].
The Pharisee's prayer continues with a recitation of his religious observances: "I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess" [1]. These actions were considered commendable within Jewish tradition, but in this context, they serve to bolster his sense of superiority. John Gill notes that standing was a common posture for prayer, but the Pharisee's manner of standing might have been to draw attention to himself or to convey an air of solemn devotion [7]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that the parable targets those with "a great conceit of themselves, and of their own goodness," who believed they were holier than their neighbors and relied on their own righteousness before God [8].
In contrast to the Pharisee, the tax collector "stood afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner" [1]. This posture and prayer demonstrate humility and repentance, which Jesus commends. The tax collector's prayer is cross-referenced with numerous Old Testament passages that speak of confession, seeking mercy, and acknowledging sin, such as Psalms 25:7, Psalms 51:1, and Daniel 9:5 [3]. The Pharisee's prayer, however, lacks any such acknowledgment of personal sin or need for mercy.
Jesus concludes the parable by stating, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalts himself shall be humbled, but he that humbles himself shall be exalted" [1]. This conclusion underscores the central message of the parable: humility and a contrite spirit are essential for prayer that is acceptable to God, not self-righteousness and pride [2]. Augustine of Hippo, in his homilies on the Gospels, speaks of the rarity of perfect faith, suggesting that true faith involves a recognition of one's need for God, rather than self-sufficiency [6]. The parable serves as a warning against spiritual pride and a call for humility in approaching God [4].
Sources
- Luke “Luke 18:11 (Darby) — The Pharisee, standing, prayed thus to himself:God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax-gatherer.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Luke 18:14 cross-references: Exodus 18:11, 1 Samuel 1:18, Job 9:20, Job 22:29, Job 25:4, Job 40:9, Psalms 138:6, Psalms 143:2, Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 15:33, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 25:7, Proverbs 29:23, Ecclesiastes 9:7, Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 45:25, Isaiah 53:11, Isaiah 57:15, Daniel 4:37, Habakkuk 2:4, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 23:12, Luke 1:52, Luke 5:24, Luke 7:47, Luke 10:29, Luke 14:11, Luke 16:15, Romans 3:20, Romans 4:5, Romans 5:1, Romans 8:33, Galatians 2:16, James 2:21, James 4:6, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Luke 18:13 cross-references: Exodus 33:10, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:19, 2 Chronicles 33:23, Ezra 9:6, Job 42:6, Psalms 25:7, Psalms 25:11, Psalms 40:12, Psalms 41:4, Psalms 51:1, Psalms 86:15, Psalms 106:6, Psalms 119:41, Psalms 130:3, Psalms 130:7, Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah 64:5, Jeremiah 31:18, Ezekiel 16:63, Daniel 9:5, Daniel 9:7, Daniel 9:18, Matthew 9:13, Luke 5:8, Luke 7:6, Luke 15:18, Luke 17:12, Luke 23:40, Luke 23:48, Acts 2:37, Romans 5:8, Romans 5:20, 2 Corinthians 7:11, 1 Timothy 1:15, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 8:12, 1 John 1:8”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 18 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. The parable of the importunate widow, designed to teach us fervency in prayer (Luk 18:1-8). II. The parable of the Pharisee and publican, designed to teach us humility, and humiliation for sin, in prayer (Luk 18:9-14). III. Christ's favour to little children that were brought to him (Luk 18:15-17). IV. The trial of a rich man that had a mind to follow Christ, whether he loved better Christ or his riches; his coming short upon that trial; and Christ's discourse with his disciples upon that occasion (Luk 18:18-30). V. Christ's ”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 18:11: PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN. (Luk 18:9-14) stood--as the Jews in prayer (Mar 11:25). God, &c.--To have been kept from gross iniquities was undoubtedly a just cause of thankfulness to God; but instead of the devoutly humble, admiring frame which this should inspire, the Pharisee arrogantly severs himself from the rest of mankind, as quite above them, and, with a contemptuous look at the poor publican, thanks God that he has not to stand afar off like him, to hang down his head like a bulrush and beat his breast like him. But these are onl”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — ON THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL, LUKE XVIII. I, (part 2): to sift s you as wheat, and I have prayed for thee, Peter, that thy faith fail not."[9] He that defendeth prayeth, and shall not he pray who is in peril? For in the words of the Lord, "when the Son of Man shall come, thinkest thou that He shall find faith on the earth ?" He spoke of that faith, which is perfect. For it is scarce found on the earth. Lo ! this Church of God is full: and who would come hither, if there were no faith? But who would not remove mountains, if there were full faith ”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 18:11: The Pharisee stood,.... Standing was a praying posture; See Gill on Mat 6:5 nor is this observed, as if it was something amiss: but the sense is, either that he stood in some place of eminence, that he might be seen of others; or he stood in a set, fixed posture, in a very grave and solemn manner, showing great devotion and seriousness; or he stood with great boldness and confidence: and prayed thus with himself; the phrase, "with himself", may be read either with the word "stood", as it is in the Syriac version; and then the sense is that he stood alone, apart from ”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 18:9: The scope of this parable likewise is prefixed to it, and we are told (Luk 18:9) who they were whom it was levelled at, and for whom it was calculated. He designed it for the conviction of some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. They were such as had, 1. A great conceit of themselves, and of their own goodness; they thought themselves as holy as they needed to be, and holier than all their neighbours, and such as might serve for examples to them all. But that was not all; 2. They had a confidence in themselves before God, and no”