Luke 18 14

Luke 18:14 kjv

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 18:14 nkjv

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18:14 niv

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Luke 18:14 esv

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18:14 nlt

I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 14 Meaning

This verse provides the definitive conclusion and interpretation of Jesus' Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. It declares that the tax collector, who humbled himself and confessed his sin, was "justified" (declared righteous by God) in His sight when he left the Temple, unlike the Pharisee who exalted himself through his self-righteous prayers. The verse then states a universal principle: God's kingdom operates on a principle of divine reversal, where those who are proud will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Luke 18 14 Context

Luke 18:14 serves as Jesus' direct concluding statement and the key interpretive lens for the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18:9-14). Jesus addressed this parable to "some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else" (Lk 18:9). In first-century Jewish society, Pharisees were highly respected religious leaders known for their strict adherence to the Law, while tax collectors were reviled as traitors and sinners, collaborating with Roman authorities and often engaging in extortion. The parable shockingly reverses these societal expectations, portraying the "sinful" tax collector as the one found righteous by God due to his profound humility and contrite prayer, while the "righteous" Pharisee's boastful self-justification led to his condemnation. This verse therefore critiques religious self-assurance and elevates humility and genuine dependence on God's mercy as the true path to justification.

Luke 18 14 Word analysis

• I tell you (λέγω ὑμῖν - legō hymin): This is a direct, authoritative declaration from Jesus, signaling that the following statement is profound and definitive truth, not merely an opinion or suggestion. It underscores the divine authority behind His pronouncement.
• this man (οὗτος - houtos): Refers specifically to the tax collector. The demonstrative pronoun highlights him as the unexpected recipient of God's favor, setting up the contrast.
• went down to his house: Implies a departure from the Temple, the place of worship and divine encounter. The phrase emphasizes a completed transaction or outcome; the tax collector's prayer was heard and his spiritual status transformed before he left the sacred space.
• justified (δεδικαιωμένος - dedikaiōmenos): A perfect passive participle of the Greek verb dikaioō. This term is critically significant. It means to be "declared righteous," "acquitted," or "counted as righteous" by God. It's a legal or forensic term, meaning God pronounced him guiltless and acceptable, not necessarily that he was intrinsically made sinless at that moment (though repentance initiates such a change). The perfect tense indicates a completed action with ongoing results; his state of justification persisted. This is entirely by God's sovereign act of grace, not human merit.
• rather than the other (παρ᾽ ἐκεῖνον - par᾽ ekeinon): A stark comparative phrase directly contrasting the tax collector's outcome with the Pharisee's. It emphasizes that the Pharisee, despite his piety and perceived righteousness, failed to achieve justification and effectively stood condemned in God's eyes due to his pride and self-righteousness.
• For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται):
  • For everyone (Ὅτι πᾶς - Hoti pas): This signals a universal principle or proverb that underpins the specific example given in the parable. It extends the lesson beyond the two individuals to all humanity.
  • exalts himself (ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν - ho hypsōn heauton): One who lifts oneself up, boasts, seeks to establish their own importance or righteousness before God or others. It implies pride, arrogance, and self-sufficiency.
  • will be humbled (ταπεινωθήσεται - tapeinōthēsetai): Future passive voice, indicating that God (or divine circumstances) will bring down such a person. This humbling might be internal (recognition of sin) or external (loss of status, suffering).
  • he who humbles himself (ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν - ho de tapeinōn heauton): One who lowers oneself, acts modestly, recognizes their sinfulness and unworthiness, and submits fully to God's authority and mercy. It speaks of a contrite and dependent heart.
  • will be exalted (ὑψωθήσεται - hypsōthēsetai): Future passive voice, implying God will lift them up. This exaltation refers to receiving divine favor, honor, justification, and ultimately salvation and glorification. It is a reversal of human expectations, a core principle of God's kingdom.

Luke 18 14 Bonus section

This verse functions as a polemic against the pervasive self-righteousness and legalism that characterized a segment of religious society in Jesus' day, emphasizing that the human striving for righteousness through merit is futile. It profoundly challenges the listeners to re-evaluate their understanding of how one truly stands right with God, pushing beyond external appearances to the heart's posture. The principle "he who humbles himself will be exalted" is a radical, counter-cultural teaching, especially in societies where status and honor were paramount. It means that divine honor often follows paths of worldly perceived lowliness and self-abasement, turning societal norms upside down. The passage suggests that humility is not merely a virtue but the essential gateway to God's grace and ultimate salvation.

Luke 18 14 Commentary

Luke 18:14 distills the essence of genuine spirituality: God grants righteousness to those who acknowledge their unworthiness and humbly depend on His mercy, not to those who trust in their own efforts or piety. The tax collector’s justification underscores that a broken and contrite spirit, expressed in earnest prayer and repentance, is what God truly desires, rather than self-congratulatory rituals or outward adherence to law that stems from pride. This verse challenges any notion of earning divine favor through works, instead pointing to God's gracious character in declaring the humble acceptable. It highlights the stark difference between human self-perception and God's true evaluation of the heart.