Luke 18:14

“I tell you that this man, etc.] The publican that so freely owned himself to be a sinner, and by his carriage acknowledged he was unworthy of any favour; and who was treated with so much contempt by the Pharisee: went down to his house; from the temple which was built on a mountain, justified, [rather] than the other: accounted as a righteous person in the sight of God; justified from all his sins, and accepted by him, when the other was abhorred and neglected. The Syriac and Persic versions, and so Beza's most ancient copy, read, “than the Pharisee”, who had such an high opinion of himself, and despised others: not that the Pharisee was justified at all, when the publican really was; but…”

“rather than the other--The meaning is, "and not the other"; for the Pharisee was not seeking justification, and felt no need of it. This great law of the Kingdom of God is, in the teaching of Christ, inscribed, as in letters of gold, over its entrance gate. And in how many different forms is it repeated (Psa 138:6; Psa 147:6; Luk 1:53). To be self-emptied, or, "poor in spirit," is the fundamental and indispensable preparation for the reception of the "grace which bringeth salvation": wherever this exists, the "mourning" for it which precedes "comfort" and the earnest "hungerings and thirstings after righteousness" which are rewarded by the "fulness" of it, will, as we see here, be surely…”

“I tell you - The Pharisees would have said that the first man here was approved. Jesus assures them that they judged erroneously. God judges of this differently from people. Justified - Accepted or approved of God. The word “justify” means to declare or treat as righteous. In this case it means that in their prayers the one was approved and the other not; the one went down with the favor of God in answer to his petitions, the other not. For every one ... - See the notes at Luke 14:11. return to 'Top of Page'”

“This man went down - From the hill on which the temple stood, justified rather than the other - That is, and not the other. Luke 18:15”

“18:14 Jesus’ conclusion that only the tax collector went home justified before God would have shocked Jesus’ audience, who regarded Pharisees as righteous and tax collectors as wicked. • those who exalt themselves will be humbled: See 1:52-53; 6:21, 25; 10:15; 14:11; 16:19-31.”

“went: Luk 5:24, Luk 5:25, Luk 7:47-50; Sa1 1:18; Ecc 9:7 justified: Luk 10:29, Luk 16:15; Job 9:20, Job 25:4; Psa 143:2; Isa 45:25, Isa 53:11; Rom 3:20; Rom 4:5, Rom 5:1, Rom 8:33; Gal 2:16; Jam 2:21-25 every: Luk 1:52, Luk 14:11; Exo 18:11; Job 22:29, Job 40:9-13; Psa 138:6; Pro 3:34, Pro 15:33; Pro 16:18, Pro 16:19, Pro 18:12, Pro 29:23; Isa 2:11-17, Isa 57:15; Dan 4:37; Hab 2:4; Mat 5:3, Mat 23:12; Jam 4:6, Jam 4:10; Pe1 5:5, Pe1 5:6 Luke 18:15”