Luke 18:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I tell you, this man went down to his home right with God rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Berean Standard Bible:

I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

American Standard Version:

I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

I tell^{G3004} you^{G5213}, this man^{G3778} went down^{G2597} to^{G1519} his^{G846} house^{G3624} justified^{G1344} rather than^{G2228} the other^{G1565}: for^{G3754} every one^{G3956} that exalteth^{G5312} himself^{G1438} shall be abased^{G5013}; and^{G1161} he that humbleth^{G5013} himself^{G1438} shall be exalted^{G5312}.

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Commentary for Luke 18:14

Luke 18:14 is part of the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, a teaching moment in which Jesus contrasts the attitudes of two men praying in the temple. The historical context of this verse is set within the social and religious milieu of first-century Palestine, where Pharisees were respected for their strict adherence to the Jewish law, while tax collectors were often despised, seen as collaborators with the Roman occupiers and notorious for their corruption.

In this verse, Jesus concludes the parable by declaring that it is the tax collector, rather than the Pharisee, who returns home justified—a term indicating a right relationship with God. The tax collector, aware of his own sinfulness, humbly beats his breast and asks God for mercy. In contrast, the Pharisee boasts about his own virtues and thanks God that he is not like other sinners, including the tax collector.

The central theme of Luke 18:14 is the importance of humility before God. It underscores that justification is not achieved through self-righteousness or the outward observance of religious practices, but through a humble and repentant heart that recognizes its need for God's grace. This verse encapsulates the counter-cultural message of Jesus, who consistently taught that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. It serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative nature of true faith and the dangers of spiritual pride.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
2. Strong's Number: G5213
   There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμῖν
   Transliteration: hymîn
   Pronunciation: hoo-min'
   Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
   
3. Strong's Number: G3778
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὗτος
   Transliteration: hoûtos
   Pronunciation: how'-tahee
   Description: from the article ὁ and αὐτός; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2597
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καταβαίνω
   Transliteration: katabaínō
   Pronunciation: kat-ab-ah'-ee-no
   Description: from κατά and the base of βάσις; to descend (literally or figuratively):--come (get, go, step) down, fall (down).
   
5. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
6. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3624
   There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οἶκος
   Transliteration: oîkos
   Pronunciation: oy'-kos
   Description: of uncertain affinity; a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively):--home, house(-hold), temple.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1344
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δικαιόω
   Transliteration: dikaióō
   Pronunciation: dik-ah-yo'-o
   Description: from δίκαιος; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent:--free, justify(-ier), be righteous.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2228
   There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἤ
   Transliteration: ḗ
   Pronunciation: ay
   Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1565
    There are 244 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκεῖνος
    Transliteration: ekeînos
    Pronunciation: ek-i'-nos
    Description: from ἐκεῖ; that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed:--he, it, the other (same), selfsame, that (same, very), X their, X them, they, this, those. See also οὗτος.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3956
    There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πᾶς
    Transliteration: pâs
    Pronunciation: pas
    Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
    
13. Strong's Number: G5312
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑψόω
    Transliteration: hypsóō
    Pronunciation: hoop-so'-o
    Description: from ὕψος; to elevate (literally or figuratively):--exalt, lift up.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1438
    There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
    Transliteration: heautoû
    Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
    Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
    
15. Strong's Number: G5013
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ταπεινόω
    Transliteration: tapeinóō
    Pronunciation: tap-i-no'-o
    Description: from ταπεινός; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart):--abase, bring low, humble (self).
    
16. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration: dé
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).