Luke 18:14
What does Luke 18:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 18:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 18:14 means
Jesus declares that the tax collector went home justified, or declared righteous by God, rather than the Pharisee. This is because divine principle states that those who exalt themselves will eventually be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. The publican's humble confession and reliance on God's mercy led to his acceptance, whereas the Pharisee's self-congratulatory prayer demonstrated a pride that precluded true justification before God. Humility, not self-righteousness, is key.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I say to you, This man went back to his house with God's approval, and not the other: for everyone who makes himself high will be made low and whoever makes himself low will be made high.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I say to you, this one went down declared righteous, to his house, rather than that one: for every one who is exalting himself shall be humbled, and he who is humbling himself shall be exalted.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I say unto you, This [man] went down to his house justified rather than that [other]. For every one who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
Context
This verse delivers the punchline and the central teaching of the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. Following the contrasting prayers in verses 11-13, Jesus provides the divine judgment, clearly identifying who was justified. This conclusion directly addresses the self-righteous individuals Jesus intended to challenge in verse 9, powerfully cementing the lesson on humility and true righteousness.
v.13But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.
v.14This passage
v.15And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 16:18
Pridegoethbefore destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
- Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.
- Job 40:9
Or hast thou an arm like God? And canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
- Romans 3:20
because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
- Matthew 23:12
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
- Luke 5:24
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority on earth to forgive sins (he said unto him that was palsied), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go unto thy house.
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