📖 Biblical Definition
Christ's parable in Luke 18:9-14, given to certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. Two men went up into the temple to pray. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are... I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. The publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes, but smote upon his breast, saying: God be merciful to me a sinner. Christ concluded: this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
PHARISEE AND T, n.
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A scriptural parable of Christ; the Pharisee and the publican.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 18:9 — "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others."
Luke 18:11 — "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are."
Luke 18:13 — "God be merciful to me a sinner."
Luke 18:14 — "I 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."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often prays Pharisee-prayers; the publican's prayer is the model.
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The Pharisee's prayer is the most thorough self-congratulation in Scripture: he begins by thanking God, but every line of his prayer is comparing himself favorably with others. He does not actually need God; he is self-sufficient and grateful for the fact. The publican's prayer has seven Greek words: God be merciful to me, the sinner. Christ said the publican went home justified.
Modern Christianity often prays Pharisee-prayers under spiritual cover. Lord, thank you that our church is faithful unlike those liberal mainline denominations; thank you that I am pro-life unlike that secular neighbor; thank you that I read the Bible daily. The same prayer the Pharisee prayed. The publican's prayer is the model. Pray it. Five minutes a day in the publican's posture is worth a lifetime in the Pharisee's.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G5330 — Pharisaios — Pharisee
G5057 — telones — tax collector; publican
Usage
"Modern Christianity prays Pharisee-prayers under spiritual cover."
"Five minutes in the publican's posture is worth a lifetime in the Pharisee's."
"Pray it: God be merciful to me, the sinner."