Pharisees and Tax Collectors
In the parable of Luke 18:9–14, what two types of people go up to the temple to pray?
Who are the Pharisee and the tax collector?
This word means “thinking too highly of yourself.”
What is pride?
A parable is a story that teaches this kind of lesson.
What is a moral or spiritual lesson?
God cares more about what’s in our heart than this.
What is outward appearance or reputation?
Luke wrote his Gospel to this man, who was likely a Gentile believer.
Who is Theophilus?
The Pharisee thanks God that he is not like other people — name one kind of person he mentions.
Who are robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even the tax collector?
This opposite quality is shown by the tax collector when he admits his sin.
What is humility?
Jesus often used parables to help people understand this hidden reality.
What is the Kingdom of God (or Heaven)?
The Pharisee prayed loudly for others to hear, showing this kind of motivation.
What is showing off or seeking approval?
The Gospel of Luke often focuses on God’s mercy toward this kind of person.
Who are the poor, sinners, or outcasts?
The tax collector stands far off and beats his chest, saying what prayer?
What is “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”?
The Pharisee focused on comparing himself to others instead of doing this.
What is examining his own heart or confessing his sins?
The parable of the Pharisee and tax collector warns against this spiritual danger.
What is self-righteousness or hypocrisy?
The tax collector’s simple, honest prayer shows that God values this kind of heart.
What is a repentant or humble heart?
The tax collector in this parable represents people who show this spiritual attitude.
What is repentance?
Which man does Jesus say went home justified before God?
Who is the tax collector?
The Pharisee’s prayer shows that he believed he could earn God’s favor by doing this.
What is following religious rules or good deeds?
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the older brother shares this same attitude as the Pharisee.
What is pride or looking down on others?
While the Pharisee stood by himself proudly, the tax collector stood at a distance to show this.
What is reverence or unworthiness before God?
The Pharisee represents people who trust in this instead of God’s grace.
What is their own righteousness or good works?
According to Jesus, what happens to those who exalt themselves?
They will be humbled.
Jesus ends the parable with this saying: “Those who exalt themselves will be ___, and those who humble themselves will be ___.”
What is humbled; exalted?
Jesus tells this parable “to some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.” This describes which kind of person?
What is a self-righteous person?
Jesus teaches that what truly makes a person righteous is not outward acts, but this.
What is genuine faith or a humble heart before God?
This is the key lesson Jesus wants us to learn from Luke 18:9–14.
What is that God honors humility and repentance over pride and self-righteousness?