Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Essay Example

The parable about Pharisee and the Tax Collector is one of Jesus’ parables that can be found only in Luke. This parable about brings up the issue about praying. In this parable we can see two different people with diverse attitudes towards praying. The Pharisee thinks that the fact he is physically serving to God, keeping all the feasts and giving away the tenth of all his belongings brings him above other people and gives him mental supremacy. On the other hand, the tax collector does not praise himself, thus confessing he is a sinner and asking for forgiveness. For this paper I decided to analyze two different commentaries on this story from Daniel Dunker and Martin Collins. Both of them seem to bring up pretty similar issues, however, in relatively different ways.

This parable evidently demonstrates the different insight and essence of prayer, thus proving us that not only one has to pray regularly but also properly. “The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector displays the proper comportment for prayer.”(Durken, 283) Of course, fasting and tithing cannot be considered a bad thing to do, and it is also required by the Law. However, on the example of Pharisee, Luke wants to demonstrate how people can interpret the Law and need for prayer in a wrong way. Again, Durken brings up interesting point, claiming that the purpose of this parable is disapproving religious practice, but rather “to call into question the reasons why people take on devotional work.”(Durken, 284) I think Pharisee did not fully comprehend the purpose of his work and service to God. Apparently, he managed to fulfill all the physical and material part, thus following the Law and obeying the rules. “The Pharisee gives the reasons for deeds: they are to justify himself in the world’s eyes as well as in the eyes of God.”(Durken, 284) However, he should have understood it was not meant that way, for the main purpose of praying and communicating with God is receiving spiritual ‘feedback’ and releasing what you think is hard for you to bear. “People like him trust in their own works to gain salvation and eternal life, not trusting in Jesus Christ for them.”(Collins, 2004) The author demonstrates that Pharisee did not do his ‘service work’ because he wanted to, but rather because he felt he had to, in order to avoid God’s wrath.

Even though both of them went to the Temple, prayed to God, and paid their service, the outcome of this whole activity was antithetical. “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”(Luke 18:14) Martin Collins reminds us Paul’s claim righteousness and justification, as it is said in Titus 3:4-8: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” The Pharisee was not necessarily a bad man, and I believe he also was not an adulterer or cheater, he might have fasted and obeyed the Law, but none of these could justify him for he did not humble himself in front of God. If we think about comparing the Pharisee and tax collector, we can assume that tax collector probably committed many times more sins, especially because he had a kind of job which had not the best reputation and recognition. “During the Roman occupation, tax collectors were not only traitors to their own people, but also extortionists feeding off their compatriots.”(Durken, 284) Consequently, the overall image of the tax agent appears to be initially negative, thus he would never be considered hones, dutiful, or holy, comparing to Pharisee who actually serves God every single day. However, in the Temple the tax collector does the right thing when asking God for forgiveness and mercy, thus humbling himself instead of exalting. Therefore, he received justification and exaltation in the end. It appears that it is less humiliating to humble yourself than to be humbled by other people surrounding you. Solomon, in Proverbs 27:2, provides us with the principle of this certain parable: “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” In contemporary world this principle is still relevant, for I think it does not matter that much what you say or think about yourself, but what people around you think. In this parable, Pharisee also appears to be very selfish in his prayer. He mentions the personal pronoun “I” five times, thus providing us with an idea he is obsessed with his significance. He does not pray for his family, friends, relatives, but only for himself in his own favor. Moreover, he should not have scorned the tax agent, for it is against the Law, but he could have praised him as well.

I think the parable about Pharisee and the Tax Collector is very relevant in contemporary world. This parable gives us an idea how people should not only think about themselves, but try listen to others and provide any possible help they can. I think that is when they will find redemption and satisfaction, thus praising God and other people and receiving justification in return.

Works Cited

Durken, Daniel. New Collegeville Bible Commentary: New Testament. Liturgical Press, 2009.

Collins, Martin. “Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.” Church of the Great God. Dec. 2004. 26 Apr. 2009. <http://cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Library.sr/CT/BS/k/1000/The-Parable-of-Pharisee-and-Tax-Collector.htm >.