The Parables of Jesus - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Luke 18:9–14

Introduction

1. Hierarchical thinking
   1. Workers in the vineyard
   2. Good Samaritan
2. The idea that we deserve or can earn favor
   1. This is the default response of our fallen nature
   2. This is the error of all false religion
   3. Fundamentally this is legalism
3. Jesus exposes this error in the parable of The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

I. The Context

1. Location: On the road to Jerusalem - Lk 17:11, 18:31, 19:28
   A journey of about 100 miles
   
   

   New Testament Map

   But probably not a continuous journey
   There would have been a number of people following him
   His disciples but also others, perhaps Pharisees etc who were still trying to catch Him in an error

   • Between Samaria and Galilee - Lk 17:11
   • Near Jericho, Bartimaeus - Lk 18:35, Mk 10:46
   • Jericho, Zacchaeus - Lk 19:1
   • Bethphage, Bethany, Olivet - Lk 19:29
   • Drawing near (to Jerusalem) on the way down the Mount of Olives - Lk 19:37
   • In the temple - Lk 19:45
2. Chronology: Final weeks before Jesus' crucifixion
3. Theological context: Clarifying the nature of the kingdom and kingdom citizens
   • Second coming - Lk 17:20
     Signs to accompany the coming of the kingdom
   • Persistent widow - Lk 18:1
     Nothing to bring but humble, persistent prayer
   • Pharisee and tax collector - Lk 18:9
   • Jesus blesses the infants - Lk 18:15-17
     Children have nothing to bring
   • The rich young ruler - Lk 18:18
     He had much that he was unwilling to give up
   • Jesus explains again His death - Lk 18:31-34
     They did not understand. His saying was hidden from them.
   • Blind Bartemaeus - Lk 18:35
     He had nothing to bring. He could only plead for mercy.
   • Zacchaeus - Lk 19:2
     He had much to bring (stuff), but he recognized his neediness.
   • Parable of the minas - Lk 19:11
     They supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. They were looking for an earthly kingdom to appear when Jesus entered Jerusalem.
   • Triumphal entry - Lk 19:37,38
     They supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. They were looking for an earthly kingdom to appear when Jesus entered Jerusalem.
   • Cleansing the temple - Lk 19:46
     Their corruption of religion openly displayed.

II. The Parable: Luke 18:9-14

1. The setup - Lk 18:9
   "to some who"
   1. "trusted in themselves that they were righteous"
   2. "treated others with contempt"
      The self righteousness of the legalist depends on

      • a truncated view of the law
      • a truncated view of sin
      • a truncated view of God's holiness
      • a false confidence in our own righteousness
      • comparing ourselves to others
      • not comparing ourselves to God's righteous standard
2. Two men - Lk 18:10
   1. Pharisee
      What do we know about Pharisees?
      They were one of four religious sects of Judaism during the NT

      • Sadducees
        Ruling class
        Believed only the Pentateuch
        Chief priests taken from this class
        Opposed Jesus because He threatened to upset the status quo
        Did not believe in the afterlife, practical materialists
        Viewed others with contempt
      • Essenes
        Religious community near the Dead Sea
        Ascetic, self denial to please God and get closer to Him
        Strict vows
        John the Baptist may have been influenced by them
      • Zealots
        Political
        Advocated violent overthrow of the Romans
      • Pharisees
        Originally organized to call the people of God back to righteous living
        Soon became concerned with self righteousness
        Demonstrated super scrupulous adherence to the law
        Went beyond and added to the law
        Viewed the others with contempt
   2. Tax Collector
      What do we know about tax collectors?

      • Matthew had been a tax collector
      • Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector
      • Publican - the bottom of the tax collection chain, perhaps an enforcer
      • Considered traitors
      • Lowest rung of Jewish society
      • Associated with very low morals
      • Often extorted more than the required amount
      • Associated with the low life of Jewish society, no one else would associate with them
3. Went up to the temple to pray - Lk 18:10
4. The Pharisee prayed
   What do you notice about his prayer?

   • He prayed by himself or to himself
   • He thanked God for what a good boy he was
   • He stood aloof, but probably very visible
   • MacArthur tells us that he would have prayed loudly, for everyone to see and hear
   • He recited how he was better than other men, even calling out the tax collector
   • He recited his righteous deeds
     • fasting was only required once a year
5. The tax collector prayed
   What do you notice about his prayer?

   • He stood far off, aware of his unworthiness to be there
   • His posture indicated anguish over his sin
   • He would not even look up
   • He beat his breast indicating bitter remorse
   • The content of his prayer
     • Be merciful to me
     • The sinner
6. A surprising reversal, the tax collector was justified rather than the Pharisee - Lk 18:14

   Why is that?
   The Pharisee's righteousness was external. God requires a changed heart. That can only happen when we recognize our great sin and debt that we cannot pay. We need a righteousness that comes from outside ourselves. We need the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us - 2 Cor 5:21.

III. Central Truth

Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted

IV. Application

• We must exercise great vigilance against self righteousness
• We have no claim on God other than His own righteous promises
• We must remember to approach God with humility
• A sure sign that you are practicing self righteousness is when you compare yourself to others