Luke 18:10 - “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

Generated Verse: Luke 18:10

What does "Luke 18:10" mean?


This verse is the beginning of a parable Jesus tells about two men praying in the temple: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The verse sets the scene and highlights the stark contrast between these two figures.

Here's a breakdown of the significance:

"Two men went up into the temple to pray": This establishes that both men are ostensibly performing a religious act, going to a sacred place to communicate with God.

"one was a Pharisee": Pharisees were a Jewish religious and social group known for their strict adherence to the law and their perceived piety. In the Gospels, they are often portrayed as self-righteous and hypocritical. The audience would likely view the Pharisee as a figure of religious authority and righteousness.

"and the other a tax collector": Tax collectors were Jews who worked for the Roman government, collecting taxes from their own people. They were often viewed as corrupt and traitors because they profited from their positions and collaborated with the occupying Roman power. The audience would likely view the tax collector with disdain and as a symbol of sinfulness.

Meaning and Significance:

The verse sets up a contrast that is crucial to the parable's message. Jesus is intentionally choosing two figures who represent extremes in terms of social standing and perceived righteousness. By contrasting these figures, Jesus prepares his audience to question their own assumptions about who is truly righteous in God's eyes. The parable goes on to show that outward displays of piety are not enough, and that genuine humility and repentance are what God values.

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