Two men went up to the temple to pray.In the context of first-century Judaism, the temple in Jerusalem was the central place of worship and prayer. It was customary for Jews to go to the temple for prayer, especially during the designated times of sacrifice. The act of going "up" to the temple reflects Jerusalem's elevated position geographically and its spiritual significance. The temple was a place where God's presence was believed to dwell, making it a focal point for religious life. This setting underscores the importance of the narrative, as it takes place in the most sacred location for the Jewish people.
One was a Pharisee
The Pharisees were a prominent religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions. They were respected by many for their piety and dedication to the law, often seen as the religious elite. However, Jesus frequently criticized them for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness (Matthew 23). The Pharisee in this parable represents those who trust in their own righteousness and look down on others, a common theme in Jesus' teachings. This character sets the stage for a contrast between outward religious observance and genuine humility before God.
and the other a tax collector.
Tax collectors were generally despised in Jewish society because they worked for the Roman authorities and were often associated with corruption and greed. They were considered sinners and traitors by their fellow Jews. The inclusion of a tax collector in this parable highlights the radical nature of Jesus' message, which often turned societal expectations upside down. The tax collector represents those who are aware of their sinfulness and approach God with humility and repentance. This contrast with the Pharisee emphasizes the theme of God's grace and mercy towards the humble and repentant, as seen in other scriptures likeLuke 15:1-7 andMatthew 9:10-13.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PhariseeA member of a Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions. Pharisees were often seen as religious leaders and were respected for their piety, but Jesus frequently criticized them for their hypocrisy and self-righteousness.
2.
Tax CollectorConsidered sinners and traitors by the Jewish people because they collected taxes for the Roman occupiers and often extorted money for personal gain. They were generally despised and marginalized in Jewish society.
3.
TempleThe central place of worship for the Jewish people in Jerusalem. It was the focal point for religious activities, sacrifices, and prayers.
4.
PrayerA central practice in Jewish religious life, often performed in the temple. It was a means of communicating with God, expressing worship, confession, and supplication.
5.
EventThe parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, told by Jesus to illustrate the nature of true righteousness and humility before God.
Teaching Points
Humility in PrayerTrue prayer requires humility. The Pharisee's prayer was self-righteous, while the tax collector's prayer was humble and repentant. We should approach God with a humble heart, acknowledging our need for His mercy.
Self-Righteousness vs. RepentanceThe Pharisee trusted in his own righteousness, while the tax collector recognized his sinfulness. We must be wary of self-righteousness and instead seek God's forgiveness and grace.
God's Grace for the HumbleGod honors those who come to Him with a contrite heart. The tax collector's humility led to his justification before God, teaching us that God's grace is available to those who acknowledge their need for Him.
The Danger of ComparisonThe Pharisee compared himself to others to justify himself. We should avoid comparing ourselves to others and instead focus on our personal relationship with God.
The Heart of WorshipTrue worship is not about outward appearances or rituals but about the condition of the heart. God desires sincere worship from those who seek Him in spirit and truth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 18:10?
2.How does Luke 18:10 illustrate the importance of humility in prayer?
3.What can we learn about self-righteousness from the Pharisee's attitude in Luke 18:10?
4.How does Luke 18:10 connect with Matthew 5:3 on spiritual poverty?
5.How can we apply the tax collector's humility in our daily prayers?
6.What does Luke 18:10 teach about God's view of the humble versus the proud?
7.What is the significance of the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18:10?
8.How does Luke 18:10 challenge self-righteousness in religious practices?
9.What historical context influences the interpretation of Luke 18:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 18?
11.What does the Bible say about looking down on others?
12.What does "virtue signaling" mean?
13.What defines sincere faith?
14.If ignoring the law makes one’s prayers detestable (Proverbs 28:9), how do we account for apparent answered prayers among those who openly violate biblical commands?What Does Luke 18:10 Mean
Two men went up to the temple to pray“Two men went up to the temple to pray” (Luke 18:10).
• Jesus immediately sets the scene in God’s appointed meeting place, underscoring that both men recognize the temple as the proper setting for communion with the Lord (Psalm 27:4;Isaiah 56:7;Acts 3:1).
• The simple word “men” reminds us that every human soul, regardless of background, must stand before God (Romans 3:23).
• By calling out “two,” Jesus invites comparison—one life set next to another, echoing the paired contrasts of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), Saul and David (1 Samuel 15–16), Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42).
One was a Pharisee“One was a Pharisee” (Luke 18:10).
• Pharisees were devoted to the Law and meticulous in outward obedience (Philippians 3:5-6). They held respected positions, yet Jesus often exposed their self-righteousness (Matthew 23:5-7;Luke 16:15).
• Their emphasis on visible piety illustrates the danger of substituting ritual for relationship (Micah 6:6-8).
• The Pharisee in this parable will soon pray, but his confidence rests in himself, not in God—a warning echoed later inRomans 10:3, “They sought to establish their own righteousness.”
• The temple setting magnifies the irony: the man who should model humble worship instead showcases pride (Isaiah 29:13).
The other a tax collector“and the other a tax collector” (Luke 18:10).
• Tax collectors were despised for collaborating with Rome and for dishonest gain (Luke 3:12-13). Social and religious outcasts, they felt keenly their unworthiness (Luke 5:30-32).
• By including a tax collector, Jesus highlights that God’s mercy reaches the vilified and broken (Isaiah 57:15).
• The man’s coming to the temple shows faith that grace is available even to the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15-16). His impending plea will echo David’s cry, “A broken and contrite heart—You, O God, will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
• The contrast prepares us for the unexpected verdict: the humble finds justification, while the self-exalting is rejected (James 4:6;1 Peter 5:5).
summaryLuke 18:10 introduces two worshipers, side by side in God’s house, yet worlds apart in attitude. The Pharisee represents confident religiosity; the tax collector embodies humble need. Jesus begins the parable by inviting us to watch their prayers unfold, so we can see that God values contrition over credentials. The verse sets the stage for His timeless lesson: righteousness is granted to those who approach the Lord in dependent faith, not to those who trust in themselves.
(10)
Went up into the temple.--The peculiar form of the verb, "went
up," was strictly justified by the position of the Temple. It stood on what had been Mount Moriah, and rose high above the other buildings of the city.
The one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.--The two words would be more pictorially suggestive to the disciples than they are, at first, to us. They would see the Pharisee with his broad bluezizith, or fringe, and theTephillin (=prayers), or phylacteries, fastened conspicuously on brow and shoulder; the publican in his common working dress, with no outward badge to testify that he was a child of the Covenant. Here, as in the case of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son (where see Notes), the parable may have stated actual facts. Of one such publican we read not long afterwards. (See Note onLuke 19:8.)
Verse 10. -
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. This parable constitutes an important chapter in Jesus' apology or defence - if we may dare use the word - for loving the sinful, for consorting with publicans and sinners. It tells men, in very simple language, how they are saved; not by works of righteousness which they have done, but of grace; in other words, by God's free mercy. Jewish religious society in the time of our Lord, as represented by the great Pharisee sect, totally misunderstood this Divine truth. They claimed salvation as a right on two grounds:
(1) because they belonged to the chosen race;
(2) because they rigidly and minutely obeyed the precepts of a singular code of laws, many of them devised by themselves and their fathers.
Upon these two grounds they claimed salvation, that is, eternal blissful life. Not content with this claim of their own, they condemned, with a sweeping, harsh condemnation, all other peoples, and even those of their own race who neglected rigidly to observe the ordinances and ritual of a law framed in great measure in the schools of their own rabbis. Two extreme instances are here chosen - a rigid, exclusive, self-satisfied member of the religious society of Israel; and a Jewish officer of the hated Roman government, who knew little or nothing of the Law, but yet who longed after a higher life, and craved for an inward peace which he evidently was far from possessing. These two, the Pharisee and the publican, both went up to God's holy house, the temple, with a view of drawing near to the eternal King.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
“Twoδύο(dyo)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1417:Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.menἌνθρωποι(Anthrōpoi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.went upἀνέβησαν(anebēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 305:To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.toεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.templeἱερὸν(hieron)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411:Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.to pray.προσεύξασθαι(proseuxasthai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 4336:To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.One [was]εἷς(heis)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520:One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.a PhariseeΦαρισαῖος(Pharisaios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5330:Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.otherἕτερος(heteros)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2087:(a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.a tax collector.τελώνης(telōnēs)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5057:A publican, collector of taxes. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, i.e. Collector of public revenue.
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NT Gospels: Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple (Luke Lu Lk) 
