Luke 18:10

Luke 18:10, in plain English

Jesus starts His story with two very different men heading to the temple to pray — a respected religious leader and a hated tax collector. The contrast is deliberate.

Why it's here

In this culture, Pharisees were admired for their devotion, while tax collectors were seen as traitors and cheats. Everyone listening would have assumed the Pharisee was the hero.

Who's speaking

Jesus is telling a parable, setting up two characters His audience would immediately judge very differently.

Where it sits in the story

Picture two men walking into the same place of worship. One is someone everyone respects; the other, someone everyone avoids. Jesus is about to surprise you with who actually connects with God.

The scholarly reading

Jesus sets the scene with two men entering the temple (hieron) to pray — a Pharisee representing religious elite and a tax collector (telōnēs) representing social outcasts. The pairing creates maximum contrast.

Language and setting

The temple was the central place of Jewish worship and sacrifice. Tax collectors were despised as collaborators with Rome and presumed sinners, making them the Pharisee's moral opposite in public perception.

Voice

Jesus narrates the opening of His parable to those who trusted in their own righteousness.

Significance

Jesus introduces two characters who couldn't be more different in social standing: one respected, one reviled. Both go to the same place to pray, but their prayers will reveal everything.

8I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

9To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:

10“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

12I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’

Read all of Luke 18 — A stubborn widow, a humble tax collector, and a rich ruler who can't let go. Jesus shows that the kingdom belongs to those who won't give up and won't pretend.