The Pharisee and the Publican, can anybody explain the lesson of this parable?

Answer 1

It means that TRUE Christians should do not do good things to be praised but should do things because they genuinely want to help; that performing the religious rituals does not mean that you are great in the eyes of God, but being humble and accepting your shortcomings and truly being sorry for them and trying to improve them is what really counts in His eyes.

Answer 2

The lesson of this parable was to show that God prefers true repentance and humility to pride and self-righteousness. Although the publican had sinned he honestly repented, whereas the pharisee was too proud to see that even he sinned.

Answer 3

If you would have posted this in religion you would probably get more answers, that does not mean you would get the one you would want however.

9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14I 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.

The parable defines how we are justified before God, in our attitudes towards faith, mercy and justification from our sins. In the parable the Pharisee did everything that he was commanded of by the law and did it perfectly - however his attitude was all wrong, it was of arrogance and pride that he did them not out of love for God, or joy or even in humility. When we come to God, our works that we do by our own abiltity is seen by God in the same avenue as the publican's efforts - self righteousness and to God this is as filthy rags, robes of pride which goes before a fall. There is nothing that we can do of our own ability to be righteous before God. The only thing that we can do that God will accept and this is a contrite, humble and broken heart showing that all we have is to cast ourselves upon the mercy of God's wonderful and overflowing grace freely supplied by the merit of God's Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. This is our attitude always and forever to remain in such love of God and in his relationship of grace.

Answer 4

Jesus loved to taunt the Pharisees who made a science out of interpreting Moses' laws.

He was demonstrating the utter worthlessness of life without God's help, and the key he suggested to getting God's help was through humility.

We as human beings don't accept help from others if we think we don't need it.

Answer 5

if you tell everyone how great you are, you will be nothing. if you are humble, you will be raised to a great level.