The the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican is a lesson for those who "pride themselves for being virtuous and despised everyone else (9)". It is also a commentary on a favorite Lucan passage: "those who exalt themselves shall be humbled; those who humble themselves shall be exalted." (14b). But this passage combined in Sunday worship with Ecclus. can also be read as a lesson in prayer. From within the context in which Luke has placed it, one can understand it as a lesson in the attitude that should accompany prayer. The Catechism calls this attitude "humility of heart in prayer." (CCC, 2613)
The parable can be outlined in the following way:
- 9. purpose of the parable: against those who think they are righteous to the exclusion of the rest;
- 10. introduction
- 11-12 the prayer of the pharisee
- 13. the prayer of the publican
- 14a the one who was made right
- 14b those who exalt themselves shall be humbled; those who humble themselves shall be exalted.
The key words in the parable are "righteous" (dikaioi, v. 9) and "made right" (from dikaiow in the passive.). Righteousness, in the Bible can mean four things:
- conformity to the Law (this is the righteousness of the Pharisee) or to a standard (Hebrew tam, translated often as "right")
- innocence, as opposed to guilty (to be pronounced righteous is to be acquitted from a crime)
- ethical perfection
- to be in one's proper place within the covenant relationship with God.
The Pharisee is the picture of righteousness: he conforms to the Law. There is nothing wrong about thanking God for one's proficiency in right living. He prays to God in thanksgiving, acknowledging the fact that it is God who has made him what he is. The problem with the Pharisee was that in thanking God, he also despised others.
In Israel, the publican is a persona non grata, he is by definition "despicable." He collects taxes for the Roman Emperor and collaborates with the Gentiles in keeping the people of Israel under the yoke of slavery. And because of the nature of his work, he cannot be purified since he holds "sin" money. This particular publican however who prays to God from the corner of the synagogue is a picture of humility: he bows his head, strikes his breast, and asks mercy. That day, he went home justified, i.e. acquitted in God's court of law.
The Church has made its own the prayer of the Publican, when she prays: Lord, have mercy (CCC, par. 2613).
