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The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Made Simple

by Kimani Upshur, M.Ed.

Two men went up into the temple to pray: the Pharisee thanked God he was not as other men, while the tax collector beat his breast and said, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus declared the humbled man went down to his house justified, for every one that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted (Luke 18:9-14). This Scripture-first, Trinitarian volume walks the parable verse by verse — the Pharisee's prayer of self-trust, the tax collector's seven-word cry for mercy, the verdict of justification by grace through faith, and the great reversal of the kingdom — with life application, reflection questions, and a closing prayer.