Luke 18:9 Meaning and Explanation
“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus aims a story straight at the heart that leans on its own goodness and looks down on everyone else.
The Context of Luke 18:9
Luke tells us exactly who Jesus is speaking to before He tells the parable of the Pharisee and the publican praying in the temple (Luke 18:10-14). This verse names the target audience: those confident in their own righteousness.
What Does Luke 18:9 Mean?
Luke does something unusual here: he tells us in advance whom the coming story is meant for. Jesus is about to describe two men praying in the temple, a proud Pharisee and a broken tax collector, and this verse aims that parable like an arrow. It is for 'certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.' The two things go together. People who lean on their own goodness almost always end up looking down on someone, because self-trust needs a comparison to feel safe. Pride in the heart and contempt for others grow from the same root.
The parable that follows turns everything over. It is the tax collector, beating his breast and begging mercy, who goes home justified, while the confident man does not (verse 14). Jesus is gently dismantling the most respectable sin of all, the quiet trust in our own record. He is the Savior who lifts up the humble and welcomes the one who knows he has nothing to offer but a plea for grace. Before Him, the surest place to stand is on our knees.
Luke 18:9 in the Original Language
exoutheneo (ἐξουθενέω), 'despised' -- to count as nothing, to treat with utter contempt, to look down upon.
How to Apply Luke 18:9 Today
It is worth asking honestly whether our confidence rests on our own goodness, and whether that quiet self-trust has bred a low view of others. Jesus welcomes the humble who come with empty hands. The safest posture before God is not a record to defend but a heart that asks for mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 18:9
What does Luke 18:9 mean?
Jesus aims a story straight at the heart that leans on its own goodness and looks down on everyone else.
What is the context of Luke 18:9?
Luke tells us exactly who Jesus is speaking to before He tells the parable of the Pharisee and the publican praying in the temple (Luke 18:10-14). This verse names the target audience: those confident in their own righteousness.
How can I apply Luke 18:9 today?
It is worth asking honestly whether our confidence rests on our own goodness, and whether that quiet self-trust has bred a low view of others. Jesus welcomes the humble who come with empty hands. The safest posture before God is not a record to defend but a heart that asks for mercy.