The Pharisee and the Publican

One day the Savior talked to some people who thought 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 to pray. He was sorry for his sins and asked God to forgive him. Luke 18:11–13

Jesus said 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 the publican knew he had sinned but wanted to repent. The publican 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 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

Illustrations by Robert T. Barrett