Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 18:11

"The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican." — Luke 18:11 (ASV)

Elements of this parable need little interpretation, only careful observation. The characters in this story represent extremes, but the sketches are true to life. The Pharisee follows custom in praying in the temple and in standing while praying. His prayer expresses the essence of Pharisaism—separation from others. This in itself was not reprehensible, because at the inception of Pharisaism there was a need for a distinctive group who would maintain a piety that stood in contrast to the encroaching pagan Hellenism (see comment on Mk 2:16). This initial good hardened into obnoxious self-righteousness on the part of many (not all) Pharisees (cf. Matthew 23; Mark 7). Pharisees did tithe and fast (see comment on Mk 2:18), though fasting twice in the week was more than necessary and was only practiced by the most pious. The problem was that this Pharisee’s prayer was a farce, being created only in himself; he mentioned God only in the beginning of his prayer.