Luke 18:9

“And he spake this parable unto certain, etc.] Or with respect to certain men; having a view to them, in order to expose their pride, vanity, arrogance, and self confidence: which trusted in themselves that they were righteous; or, as if they were righteous; or because they were so in their own eyes, and in the esteem of others: the ground of their trust and confidence were themselves, their hearts, and the supposed goodness of them, their outward holiness, their moral behaviour, their duties, and good works, their almsdeeds, and religious exercises, their ceremonial observances, and fleshly privileges; on account of which they thought themselves very righteous persons, such as could not fail…”

“Unto certain - Unto some. Which trusted in themselves - Who confided in themselves, or who supposed that they were righteous. They did not trust to God or the Messiah for righteousness, but to their own works. They vainly supposed they had themselves complied with the demands of the law of God. Despised others - Others who were not as externally righteous as themselves. This was the character of the Pharisees. They trusted in their outward conformity to the ceremonies of the law. They considered all who did not do that as sinners. This, moreover, is the true character of self-righteousness. Men of that stamp always despise all others. They think they are far above them in holiness, and are…”

“He spake this parable - Not to hypocrites; the Pharisee here mentioned was no hypocrite, no more than an outward adulterer: but he sincerely trusted in himself that he was righteous, and accordingly told God so, in the prayer which none but God heard. Luke 18:12”

“18:9-14 The topic of prayer (18:1-8) leads into this parable about the right attitude for approaching God.”

“which: Luk 10:29, Luk 15:29, Luk 16:15; Pro 30:12; Isa 65:5, Isa 66:5; Joh 9:28, Joh 9:34; Rom 7:9; Rom 9:31, Rom 9:32, Rom 10:3; Phi 3:4-6 that they were righteous: or, as being righteous and despised: Luk 18:11, Luk 7:39, Luk 15:2, Luk 15:30, Luk 19:7; Joh 7:47-49, Joh 8:48; Act 22:21; Rom 14:10 Luke 18:10”