The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 113

Vers. 9-14.-The Pharisee and the publican. The lesson as to prayer is continued. The parable which follows exhibits the spirit and conditions of effectual prayer. Mark the two features of the audience specially addressed. He speaks to certain (1) who trusted in them.selves as being righteous ; (2) who, as the outcome of this trust, despised others. He spoke in the previous parable of "God's own elect." Now, the Pharisees accounted themselves the elect of God. They were puffed up by this con- fidence. They regarded them.selves as the righteous, who kept the Law, both oral and written. And, indeed, they were most scrupulous as to every requirement; nay, they were willing to burden themselves with minute and vexatious observances. And the sin which beset them was the pride shadowed forth in one of the two who went up to pray. AB the illustration of the elect, the Lord chooses a tax-gatherer, one of a bated class, for whom, in Pharisee-thought, there was no place in the kingdom of heaven. The instruction is suitable to every time. Pharisee separation and pride are features to be recognized in the Church of this day, as they were prominent in the Jewish Church of oi.:r Lord's day. Ever to be studied is the antithesis-respectability in the Pharisee, non-respectability in the publican. See the two. The one, with his broad phylactery, his supercilious bearing, his Pharisaism reflected in every feature of bis sallow countenance, as with measured step he proceeds to the temple. In its inner court he stands erect; he arranges his prayer-robe, he looks around, the face darkened by a scowl as he observes the publican in a distant comer of the sacred building. And then he lifts his eye. No prayer trembles in any tone; no pleading escapes through any word; he" speaks with himself" rather than with God. It is a soliloquy, a self- gratified recital of his own piety. If he says, "God, I thank thee" (vers. 11, 12), it is not for any grace that he has received, it is not in acknowledging that only through a higher mercy and strength he is wha.t he is; nay, with something of familiarity in the address, he bids the Almighty join him in admiration of bis virtues, on account of which he is lifted above other men. Only by certain averages of his own striking does he measure bis excellence, the climax being reached, when there comes the con- temptuous "even as this publican." Oh, what a superior person, to be sure! With what satisfaction must highest Heaven regard one who fasted twice in the week, and gave tithes of all he possessed! 'l'he other, with hurried gait, as one intent only on pouring out his heart before God, takes bis place far off. He has no wish to disturb the complacency of his fellow-worshipper. He claims nothing; self-assertion in every form is absent from his heart. The only presence with him is the Holy One of Israel. Beneath the vision of his holiness all that is of the earth must keep silence. He will not even lift up his eyes. He has not much to record; human righteousness even is but a filthy rag when held up to the light of that Perfect Holiness. And as for him, oh, there can be only the one prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner I" (ver. 13). He OH, xvm. 1-43.] 'l'HE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 117