Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadAnthology of 3,000+ Classic Sermons: Copeland - Pharisee and Tax Collector
Subjects in this Topic:
The Pharisee And The Tax Collector (Luk_18:9 - Luk_18:14)
INTRODUCTION
1. We've noted that in Luk_18:1-43, there are two parables that deal with
the subject of prayer...
a. "The Persistent Widow" - Luk_18:1 - Luk_18:8
b. "The Pharisee And The Tax Collector" - Luk_18:9 - Luk_18:14
2. In "The Persistent Widow"...
a. Jesus encouraged us to "pray and not lose heart" - Luk_18:1
b. He taught the value of persevering in prayer
3. In the parable before us now, known as "The Pharisee And The
Tax-Collector"...
a. Jesus illustrated the spirit that ought to pervade our prayers
b. He teaches us how and in what manner we ought to pray to be heard
by God - Luk_18:14
[Without the proper spirit, our perseverance in prayer will be for
nothing. This second parable on prayer is therefore very important,
and worthy of our consideration as we begin with...]
I. THE PARABLE ANALYZED
A. IT IS ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT MEN...
1. They both go to the temple to pray - Luk_18:10
2. One is a Pharisee, the other a tax-collector
a. Pharisees were a religious sect, noted for their strict
observance of the Law and the traditions of the elders
b. Tax-collectors were consider by the Pharisees to be
extortioners and traitors
1) Extortioners, because they collected more than was
required, for personal gain
2) Traitors, because while Jews they represented an
occupying power (Rome)
B. IT IS ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT PRAYERS...
1. The prayer of the Pharisee - Luk_18:11 - Luk_18:12
a. He thanks God that he is not like others
1) Especially extortioners, unjust, adulterers
2) or even the tax collector nearby
-- Thus he reveals his disdain for others - cf. Luk_18:9
b. He recounts his good deeds
1) "I fast twice a week" - the Law required only an annual
fast - Lev_16:29
2) "I give tithes of all that I possess." - The Law
required only a tithe on certain items; this man gave
tithes on ALL he possessed - cf. Deu_14:22 - Deu_14:23
-- Thus he reveals how he trusted in his self-righteousness
- cf. Luk_18:9
2. The prayer of the tax collector - Luk_18:13
a. He expressed his repentance and humility in what he did
1) He stood "afar off"
2) He would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven
(lifting one's eyes to heaven was a common posture for
prayer at that time)
3) He beat his breast in anguish over his sins
b. He expressed his repentance and humility in what he said
1) Calling himself a sinner
2) Pleading God for mercy
C. IT IS ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT RESULTS...
1. The tax collector goes home "justified" - Luk_18:14 a
a. The term as used in the forensic sense means "not guilty!"
b. He had received that wonderful blessedness described by
David - cf. Psa_32:1 - Psa_32:2
2. The Pharisee also goes home...with nothing!
a. He might as well stayed home
b. The most he might have gotten was the reward of being seen
by men - cf. Mat_6:5
[The meaning and purpose of this parable are very clear, both from the
introductory statement by Jesus in Luk_18:9, and the concluding remark
in Luk_18:14...
"for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted."
But to reinforce the point, here are a few thoughts relating to...]
II. THE PARABLE APPLIED
A. JESUS WARNS AGAINST SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS...
1. The Pharisee trusted in his own good works, but it was to no
avail
2. He should have recalled the words of Isaiah - cf. Isa_64:6
3. We should remember the words of Jesus and Paul - cf. Luk_17:10;
Ephesians 2:8 - Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:3 - Titus 3:5
B. JESUS WARNS AGAINST ARROGANCE...
1. The Pharisee despised others, including the tax collector
2. He should have recalled the words of Solomon - cf. Proverbs 8:13;
16:18; 29:23
3. We should remember the words of Jesus and James - cf. Luke 14:
11; James 2:1 - James 2:9
C. JESUS TEACHES THE VALUE OF HUMILITY...
1. He had taught the value of humility before others in the
parable of "Taking The Lowest Place" - Luke 14:7 - Luke 14:11
2. Now He teaches the value of humility before God!
a. An important principle espoused in Isaiah - Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:1 - Isaiah 66:2
b. And extolled by Mary His mother in "The Magnificat" - cf.
Luke 1:46 - Luke 1:55
CONCLUSION
1. In this parable of "The Pharisee And The Tax Collector", we have
seen...
a. The Pharisee pray as one who needed no forgiveness, and got none
b. The tax collector pray as one needed forgiveness, and he received
it
2. Do we need forgiveness, even as Jesus' disciples?
a. Of course we do! - cf. 1 John 1:8 - 1 John 1:10
b. Then let us pray with the humility of the tax collector, who
prayed like the man after God's own heart (David)...
"Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
"Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
- Psalms 51:1 - Psalms 51:3
Let us not trust in our own righteousness, but in the mercy and
lovingkindness of God offered so abundantly in His Son Jesus Christ!
As the beloved disciple wrote in his first epistle:
"And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for
our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."
- 1 John 2:1 - 1 John 2:2