Trinity/After Pentecost · The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
Luke 18:9-14
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
August 16, 2026

Overview & Insights
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14)
Jesus tells of two men praying in the temple, a Pharisee who thanks God for his own righteousness and a tax collector who begs for mercy as a sinner. Jesus says it is the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who goes home justified before God.
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Commentary
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Luke Chapter 18 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the Pharisee, the tax collector, and justification.
Luke 18:9 Commentaries BibleHub
A stack of classic commentators such as Barnes, Gill, and the Pulpit Commentary on the two men at prayer.
Luke 18, Expository Notes StudyLight
Thomas Constable's expository notes on the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
Luke 18 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of word studies and cross references worked verse by verse through the parable on humility.
Commentary on Luke 18:9-14 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis of the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector and who is justified.
Background & Word Study
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18 Psephizo · Ian Paul
Ian Paul on the distinctly Lukan storytelling and the reversal at the heart of the parable.
Enter the Bible: Luke Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the authorship, structure, and themes of Luke's Gospel.
Overview: Gospel of Luke (Chapters 1-9) BibleProject
An animated overview of Luke that frames its themes of prayer, humility, and reversal.
Luke 18:9 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for justified, humble, and exalt.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
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