This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Luke 18:10-14, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once, Jesus told a story to some people who thought they were very good and looked down on others. The story goes like this:
There were two men who went to the temple to pray. One of them was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed like this: “God, I thank you that I’m not like other people who do bad things like steal, cheat, or do bad things with married people. And I also fast two times a week and give a tenth of everything I earn to God.”
The other man, the tax collector, stood far away from the Pharisee and wouldn’t even look up to heaven. He felt very bad about himself and just kept hitting his chest and saying, “God, please have mercy on me. I am a sinner.”
Jesus told the people that the tax collector was the one who went home forgiven, not the Pharisee. Jesus said that whoever thinks they’re better than others will end up being humbled, but the one who is humble will be lifted up.
Biblical Lessons
- We should never think that we’re better than others.
- Being humble is important.
- We should be honest about our mistakes and ask for forgiveness.
- God shows mercy to those who are sorry for their sins.
- Everyone can be forgiven if they ask for it sincerely.
Related Stories
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pursuit of God
A heartfelt call to pursue God Himself above all else, with a strong emphasis on holiness and devotion.
View on Amazon
The Cost of Discipleship
A penetrating look at Jesus' call to follow Him, contrasting cheap grace with true, costly discipleship.
View on Amazon
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
Shows how God's sovereignty in salvation fuels, rather than hinders, faithful evangelism.
View on Amazon
The Reason for God
Thoughtful, biblical responses to common objections to Christianity, aimed at skeptics and believers alike.
View on Amazon
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
A robust, Scripture-saturated theology of prayer with practical guidance for deepening communion with God.
View on Amazon
Faith Alone
Defends justification by faith alone as the heart of the biblical gospel and Reformation.
View on Amazon
Finally Alive
A biblical exploration of the new birth and why regeneration is at the heart of the Christian life.
View on Amazon
The Trellis and the Vine
A vision for church ministry centered on disciple-making rather than mere structures and programs.
View on Amazon
Biblical Theology
A classic work tracing the progressive revelation of God's redemptive plan in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Sovereignty of God
A strong, Scripture-based defense of God's absolute rule over all things.
View on Amazon
Spiritual Leadership
Biblical principles for godly leadership in the church, home, and workplace.
View on Amazon
The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Preaching
A standard textbook on preaching that shows how to proclaim Christ from all of Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Hospitality Commands
Shows from Scripture how vital hospitality is to Christian obedience and fellowship.
View on Amazon
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment
Argues that God's glory in salvation through judgment is the central theme of Scripture.
View on Amazon
Delighting in the Trinity
A joyful, readable introduction to the triune God and why His tri-unity is good news.
View on Amazon
The Glory of Christ
Calls believers to behold the glory of Christ as the great means of transformation.
View on Amazon
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
Encourages and equips Christians to share the gospel faithfully and simply.
View on Amazon