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Time after Pentecost · Proper 25 · Year C

Luke 18:9-17

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector; Let the Children Come

October 29, 2028

The Pharisee and the Publican, Barent Fabritius
The Pharisee and the Publican, Barent Fabritius, 17th centuryRijksmuseum
A Dutch painting of the two men at prayer in a dim temple, the Pharisee forward in the light and the tax collector back in the shadow.God, be merciful to me, a sinner.Barent FabritiusA Dutch painter, younger brother of Carel, who worked in Rembrandt's manner on biblical subjects.RijksmuseumThe Dutch national museum, whose Gallery of Honour was designed around the Night Watch and still is.Rijksmuseum
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 18:9-17Lk 18:9-17
Epistle2 Tim. 4:6-8, 16-182 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18
Old TestamentGen. 4:1-15Gn 4:1-15
PsalterPs. 5Ps 5

Overview & Insights

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14)

Jesus tells a parable contrasting a self-righteous Pharisee with a tax collector who simply asks for mercy, teaching that the humbled one goes home justified. He then welcomes the little children brought to him, saying the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child.

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Commentary

Luke 18 CommentaryLk 18 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse treatment of both the parable and the blessing of the children.

Luke 18:9 CommentariesLk 18:9 Commentaries BibleHub

Collects several classic commentaries on the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Luke CommentariesLk Commentaries Precept Austin

Indexes detailed verse-by-verse notes and word studies across the Gospel.

Luke 18 (Barnes' Notes)Lk 18 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight

Albert Barnes on the tax collector's plea for mercy and self-humbling.

Luke 18:9-14 CommentaryLk 18:9-14 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A preaching-focused reading of who really goes home justified.

Commentary on Luke 18:9-14Commentary on Lk 18:9-14 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary's exegesis of the parable's reversal of righteousness.

Going Home Justified, Pentecost 20 (C) Sermons That Work · Episcopal Church

A full sermon on the tax collector who went home justified.

Background & Word Study

Luke 18:9 InterlinearLk 18:9 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek interlinear text for the parable's opening verse.

Book of Luke OverviewBook of Lk Overview BibleProject

Video and guide to Luke's literary design and major themes.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Luke 18Catena on Lk 18 Catena

Patristic and medieval comments compiled verse by verse on this chapter.

Podcast

SB507: Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost (Ord. 30) Working Preacher

A roundtable discussion of all three readings for this Sunday.

Art & Music

Year C, Proper 25 Art Vanderbilt

Public-domain artwork illuminating this Sunday's readings.

Study Hub

Proper C25 Resource Index Textweek

A broad index of further commentary, sermons, and art for this Sunday.

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