The Pharisee and the Publican

Chapter 40

One day the Savior talked to some people who thought that they were better and more righteous than other people. Jesus did not want them to think they were better than other people, so He told them a story. Luke 18:9

Two men went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee (a religious leader). The other was a publican. People had to pay tax money to the publicans, and sometimes the publicans took too much money. The people did not like them. Luke 18:10

The Pharisee stood up in front of others to pray. He thanked God that he was better than other men because he fasted two times each week and paid more tithing than other people. The publican stood by himself and bowed his head and prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:11–13

Jesus said that the Pharisee thought that he was better than other people, that he did not sin, and that he did not need help from God. Jesus said that the publican knew that he had sinned but wanted to repent. He had asked God to forgive him, and he tried to be more righteous. Luke 18:14

Jesus said that the publican, not the Pharisee, would be forgiven and that people should be like the publican. They should not think that they are better than other people. They should repent of their sins and ask God to forgive them. They should try to be more righteous. Luke 18:14

Illustrated by Robert T. Barrett