Luke 18:10
What does Luke 18:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 18:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 18:10 means
The parable begins with two men, a Pharisee and a publican (tax collector), going to the temple to pray. This setting is significant, as the temple was the center of Jewish worship, and both men are engaging in a religious act. The contrast between these two figures—a highly respected religious leader and a despised social outcast—immediately creates a dramatic tension. Their divergent social standings foreshadow their very different approaches to prayer and ultimately, to God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Two men went up to the Temple for prayer; one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-farmer.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Two men went up to the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee and the other a publican.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer.
Context
This verse begins the narrative of the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, directly following Jesus's targeting statement in verse 9. It sets the scene and introduces the two key characters whose contrasting approaches to prayer will illustrate the core message about humility and self-righteousness. The temple setting underscores the religious nature of their actions and the subsequent judgment.
v.9And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought:
v.10This passage
v.11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 20:5
Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the prince of my people, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee; on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of Jehovah.
- 1 Kings 8:30
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place; and when thou hearest, forgive.
- Acts 3:1
Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, beingthe ninth hour.
- Luke 7:29
And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
- Philippians 3:5
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
- Acts 26:5
having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
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