What is Jesus teaching in the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector?

In this story, Jesus shows two very different ways of coming to God. The Pharisee lists his good deeds and thanks God that he is not like other sinners, including the tax collector standing nearby. He is proud and trusts in himself. The tax collector stands far off, will not even lift his eyes, and simply cries, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus says the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home right with God. The lesson is that God accepts the humble who confess their sin, not those who boast in their own goodness.

What does the prayer "God be merciful to me a sinner" teach about true repentance?

This short prayer shows what real repentance looks like. The tax collector does not try to excuse himself or compare himself to others. He admits plainly, “I am a sinner,” and throws himself on God’s mercy. His posture matches his words, standing far off and beating his chest in sorrow. There are no promises of future greatness, only a plea for forgiveness. Jesus explains that this man went home justified, meaning God forgave him and accepted him. True repentance is honest about sin and relies fully on God’s mercy, not on our works.

Why did Jesus say everyone who exalts himself will be humbled?

Jesus says this right after explaining that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, was justified. The Pharisee exalted himself by trusting in his own righteousness and looking down on others. He thought his fasting and tithing earned him favor with God. The tax collector humbled himself, knowing he had nothing to bring but his sin. Jesus sums it up with a general rule: whoever lifts himself up before God will be brought low, and whoever humbles himself will be lifted up. God resists proud self-confidence but gives grace to those who know their need.

Why did the disciples try to stop people from bringing infants to Jesus?

People were bringing very young children, even infants, so that Jesus would touch them. The disciples likely thought Jesus was too busy for babies, or that children were not important enough for this kind of attention. So they rebuked those who were bringing them. Jesus corrected them, called the children to himself, and said not to forbid them. By doing this, he showed that even the weakest and smallest are welcome with him. He also used this moment to teach that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a little child?

When Jesus says that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it, he points to the attitude of a child. Little children know they are small and needy. They do not bring achievements or claims to earn anything. They simply come, trusting and open-handed. In the same way, a person must come to God without boasting in personal merit, depending on God’s grace rather than on good works or status. To receive the kingdom like a child is to come humbly, trusting God’s mercy, not our own righteousness.

How does this passage warn against self-righteousness in religious life?

The Pharisee in the story does religious things that look very serious: he fasts twice a week and gives tithes of all he owns. But he uses these practices to build up his pride, to tell himself and God that he is better than others. He thanks God, yet his heart is full of self-trust and contempt. Jesus shows that this kind of religion leaves a person unjustified before God. The warning is clear: even good habits like prayer, fasting, and giving become empty if they lead us to rely on ourselves instead of God’s mercy.

What does this passage show about how God justifies people?

Jesus says plainly that the tax collector went down to his house justified rather than the Pharisee. The tax collector had no list of good deeds to present. He came as guilty and asked for mercy. God’s answer was to clear his guilt, not because he earned it, but because God is gracious. The Pharisee, trusting in his own works, was not justified. This shows that being right with God comes through forgiveness of sins, not through our performance. God justifies those who confess their sin and rest on his mercy, not on their supposed goodness.

How can a believer today pray more like the tax collector than the Pharisee?

To pray like the tax collector is to come before God with honest humility. Instead of listing our good deeds, we start by admitting our sin and weakness. We avoid comparing ourselves with others, whether to feel better or worse. We remember that even our best works are not the reason God accepts us. A simple, sincere prayer, “God, be merciful to me,” fits this pattern. We can still thank God for his work in us, but we never rest our hope on what we have done. Our confidence is in Christ’s mercy and forgiveness alone.

What does this passage teach about God’s heart toward children and the weak?

When people bring infants to Jesus, he does not treat them as a burden or a distraction. Even when the disciples try to send them away, he calls the children to himself and says that the kingdom of God belongs to such as them. This shows that God’s heart is open to those who seem small and unimportant in the world’s eyes. Children picture the kind of lowliness and dependence that God welcomes. The passage comforts anyone who feels weak or overlooked, showing that they are not too small for Jesus’ care or for God’s kingdom.

Luke.18.9

Luke 18:9

KJV

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

The Pharisee and the Publican

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a 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.

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.

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.

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.