Luke 18:9

The Message

He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’

Cross References

Proverbs 30:12

Don’t imagine yourself to be quite presentable when you haven’t had a bath in weeks.

Isaiah 66:5

But listen to what God has to say to you who reverently respond to his Word: “Your own families hate you and turn you out because of me. They taunt you, ‘Let us see God’s glory! If God’s so great, why aren’t you happy?’ But they’re the ones who are going to end up shamed.” * * *

Luke 10:29

Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”

John 8:48

The Jews then said, “That settles it. We were right all along when we called you a Samaritan and said you were crazy—demon-possessed!”

John 9:28

With that they jumped all over him. “You might be a disciple of that man, but we’re disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from.”

John 9:34

They said, “You’re nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!” Then they threw him out in the street.

Acts 22:21

“But he said, ‘Don’t argue. Go. I’m sending you on a long journey to outsider non-Jews.’”

Romans 14:10

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: “As I live and breathe,” God says, “every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God.” So mind your own business. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.