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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 18:9-14

The scope of this parable likewise is prefixed to it, and we are told (Luke 18:9) who they were whom it was levelled at, and for whom it was calculated. He designed it for the conviction of some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. They were such as had, 1. A great conceit of themselves, and of their own goodness; they thought themselves as holy as they needed to be, and holier than all their neighbours, and such as might serve for examples to them all. But... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 18:9-14

18:9-14 Jesus spoke this parable to some who were self-confidently sure that they were righteous and who despised others. "Two men went up to the Temple to pray. The one was a Pharisee, the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'O God, I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men, thieves, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of all that I get.' The tax-collector stood afar off, and would not lift even his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 18:11

The Pharisee stood ,.... Standing was a praying posture; See Gill on Matthew 6:5 nor is this observed, as if it was something amiss: but the sense is, either that he stood in some place of eminence, that he might be seen of others; or he stood in a set, fixed posture, in a very grave and solemn manner, showing great devotion and seriousness; or he stood with great boldness and confidence: and prayed thus with himself ; the phrase, "with himself", may be read either with the word... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:11

Stood and prayed thus with himself - Or, stood by himself and prayed, as some would translate the words. He probably supposed it disgraceful to appear to have any connection with this penitent publican: therefore his conduct seemed to say, "Stand by thyself; I am more holy than thou." He seems not only to have stood by himself, but also to have prayed by himself; neither associating in person nor in petitions with his poor guilty neighbor. God, I thank thee, etc. - In Matthew 5:20 ,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:11

Verse 11 11.God, I thank thee. And yet he is not blamed for boasting of the strength of his free-will, but for trusting that God was reconciled to him by the merits of his works. For this thanksgiving, which is presented exclusively in his own name, does not at all imply that he boasted of his own virtue, as if he had obtained righteousness from himself, or merited any thing by his own industry. On the contrary, he ascribes it to the grace of God that he is righteous. Now though his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-14

The Lord speaks the two parables on prayer — the importunate widow, and the Pharisee and publican. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-14

Lessons in prayer. Our Lord, in the two parables composing the present passage, gives the disciples encouragement to pray. The one brings out the need of perseverance and importunity in prayer; the other brings out the spirit of self-abasement which should be cultivated in prayer. They are thus linked together as twin lessons in the art of prayer. I. LET US NOTICE THE NEEDFUL IMPORTUNITY OF GOD 'S ELECT AS ILLUSTRATED BY THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW . ( Luke... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee and the publican. The lesson as to prayer is continued. The parable which follows exhibits the spirit and conditions of effectual prayer. Mark the two features of the audience specially addressed. He speaks to certain He spoke in the previous parable of "God's own elect." Now, the Pharisees accounted themselves the elect of God. They were puffed up by this confidence. They regarded themselves as the righteous, who kept the Law, beth oral and written. And, indeed, they were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:9-14

The Pharisee and the publican. The scene indicated by our Lord's opening sentences is easily realized. We readily picture to our minds the place and the two persons in whom we are interested—the haughty Pharisee and the humble-minded publican. We readily imagine their demeanor as they enter, their posture as they pray, their reception as they pass through the courts going and returning. But we ask how and why was it that the Pharisee was rejected and the publican accepted. And in reply we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:11

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are . How closely drawn from the life is this picture of a Pharisee will be seen by a comparison of the prayer here with the prayer of a rabbi contained in the Talmud. When Rabbi Nechounia Ben Hakana left his school, he used to say, "I thank thee, O Eternal, my God, for having given me part with those who attend this school instead of running through the shops. I rise early like them, but it is to... read more

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