Those Jesus describes as having “confidence in their own righteousness” were no doubt the Pharisees. Matthew 6:1-6
The Pharisees as a group (not all) were known for displaying a self-righteous attitude and looking down upon others.
It certainly could apply to anyone who has too high a view of themselves thinking that they are more righteous than others.
THE PHARISEE
In this parable, Jesus depicts the attitude of a particular Pharisee who, in his own view, was morally superior to others in observing the moral law of God.
Filled with a spirit of self-righteousness and casting condescending looks at others around him, the Pharisee makes his way to the temple in order to pray.
Being self-righteous, the Pharisee credits himself (not God) for his moral superiority. “I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I give a tenth of all I get.”
The Pharisee was in the temple in Jerusalem praying in the outer court, so that he could be heard by men (the inner court was accessible only to the priests).
The Pharisee sought to draw attention to himself as he prayed about himself. His prayer was self-centered and was meant to be heard by those around him.
The Pharisee’s prayer is short but loud and to the point. He does begin by thanking God, but not for who God is or what God has done. He thanks God for who he is and what he has done that others haven’t.
The Pharisee makes no request of God, but merely informs God about how good he is compared to others. He trusts in himself and his own sufficiency. There is no need for confession, for in his eyes he has not broken any of God’s commandments.
The Pharisee does not understand that by imputation of Adam’s sin, he stands condemned as a guilty sinner before a holy God.
The Pharisee does not understand what the prophet Isaiah so clearly taught by inspiration of the Holy Spirit:All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away (Isaiah 64:6).
THE TAX COLLECTOR
The tax collector (a fellow Jew) was the exact opposite of the self-righteous Pharisee. He knew he was a guilty sinner in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
He is so ashamed of his sin he does not dare enter a crowded synagogue but goes to the huge outer court of the temple instead where he can approach God in prayer undisturbed.
The tax collector has heard the gospel message of salvation from Jesus (which unlike the law offers mercy and forgiveness) and is convicted about his sin. His conscience is bothering him; he needs to make things right with God.
Employed by the Romans, he is the object of scorn and disdain among his own people. As a corrupt tax collector he knows that he has defrauded them, so that they look upon him as a robber and a traitor.
The tax collector is so disgusted with himself that he beats his breast (his heart, the source of sin) and with his head bowed low to the ground he cries out: “God have mercy on me, the sinner (tō - the hamartōlos sinner), as if he were the only sinner or the chief of sinners”
The tax collector comes to God with empty hands. He has no merits and no claims. Excuses and explanations do not enter his mind. Comparison with others is out of the question. He knows that he is “the” sinner pleading for mercy.
In pleading for mercy the tax collector is pleading for God to forgive His sin and to turn away His wrath from him. “Please God, do not give me what I deserve.”
CONCLUSION
The Pharisee, trusting in his own self-righteousness, left the temple a condemned sinner before God. “By works of the law no one shall be justified (made right) with God” Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16
The tax collector, confessing his sin before God and pleading for mercy went away justified (made right) with God. God hears and answers the anguished cry of a sinner in spiritual agony.
The heart of the Pharisee is self-sufficient, whereas that of the tax collector has been completely emptied of self-reliance.
The Pharisee is justified in his own eyes and therefore does not need God’s mercy. The tax collector sees himself a guilty sinner before God and in desperate need of mercy.
The Pharisee exalts himself and unless he humbles himself, repents of his sin, and turns to God for mercy, he will be forever humbled in hell.
The tax collector humbles himself, confesses his sin, cries out for mercy and by God’s grace will be forever exalted in heaven.
Jesus teaches that true humility and brokenness over sin leads to exaltation. He tells us to look only to Him for our salvation.
When we are fully aware of our own unworthiness in the sight of God and ask for mercy, God forgives our sins and saves us through His Son.
Audio of Lesson
