Luke 18:9-30

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 He also told this parable to some c who trusted d in themselves that they were righteous, e and treated others with contempt: 10 "Two men f went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, g standing by himself, prayed 1 h thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 i I fast twice a week; j I give tithes of all that I get.' 13 But the tax collector, g standing far off, k would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but l beat his breast, saying, 'God, m be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For n everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Let the Children Come to Me

15 o Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they p rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, q "Let the children come to me, and r do not hinder them, q for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 s Truly, I say to you, whoever does not t receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

The Rich Ruler

18 u And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to v inherit eternal life?" 19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: w 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" 21 And he said, x "All these I have kept from my youth." 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. y Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have z treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 23 a But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, b "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter c the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter c the kingdom of God." 26 Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27 But he said, d "What is impossible with men is possible with God." 28 And Peter said, "See, e we have left our homes and followed you." 29 And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, f there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers 2 or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive g many times more h in this time, and in i the age to come eternal life."

  1. Cross References
    Luke 16:15
    And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
    Matthew 5:20
    For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
  2. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:9
    Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 30:12
    There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.
    Isaiah 65:5
    Who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you." These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day.
    John 7:48 - 49
    Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?
  4. Cross References
    2 Kings 20:5
    Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
    2 Kings 20:8
    And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?
    Acts 3:1
    Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
    Luke 18:14
    I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 6:5
    And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
    Mark 11:25
    And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
  6. Cross References
    Revelation 3:17
    For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 9:14
    Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?
  8. Cross References
    Luke 11:42
    But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 18:11
    The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
  10. Cross References
    Ezra 9:6
    Saying: "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.
  11. Cross References
    Luke 23:48
    And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 79:9
    Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!
    Ezekiel 16:63
    That you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God.
    Daniel 9:19
    O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.
  13. Cross References
    Luke 14:11
    For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
  14. Cross References
    Luke 18:15 - 17
    Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
    Matthew 19:13 - 15
    Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people.
    Mark 10:13 - 16
    And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
  15. Cross References
    Luke 18:39
    And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!
  16. Cross References
    Luke 18:15 - 17
    Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
    Matthew 19:13 - 15
    Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people.
    Mark 10:13 - 16
    And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 18:3
    And said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
  18. Cross References
    Matthew 18:3
    And said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
  19. Cross References
    Mark 9:39
    But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.
  20. Cross References
    John 3:3
    Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
    John 3:5
    Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
  21. Cross References
    Luke 8:13
    And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
    James 1:21
    Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
  22. Cross References
    Luke 18:18 - 30
    And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
    Matthew 19:16 - 29
    And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?
    Mark 10:17 - 30
    And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
    Luke 10:25 - 28
    And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
  23. Cross References
    Matthew 19:16
    And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?
    Matthew 25:34
    Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
  24. Cross References
    Luke 18:18 - 30
    And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
    Matthew 19:16 - 30
    And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?
    Mark 10:17 - 31
    And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
  25. Cross References
    Romans 13:9
    For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
    Exodus 20:12 - 16
    Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
    Deuteronomy 5:16 - 20
    'Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
    Matthew 5:21
    "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'
    Matthew 5:27
    "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'
  26. Cross References
    Exodus 20:12 - 16
    Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
    Deuteronomy 5:16 - 20
    Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
  27. Cross References
    Philippians 3:6
    As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
  28. Cross References
    Luke 12:33
    Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. P...
    Luke 16:9
    And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by ...
    Luke 19:8
    And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Beho...
    Acts 2:45
    And they were selling their possessions and bel...
    Acts 4:34 - 35
    There was not a needy person among them, for as...
    1 Timothy 6:18 - 19
    They are to do good, to be rich in good works, ...
  29. Cross References
    Matthew 6:19 - 20
    Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.
  30. Cross References
    Ezekiel 33:31
    And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain.
  31. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:26
    For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
    Matthew 13:22
    As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
  32. Cross References
    Matthew 12:28
    But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
  33. Cross References
    Luke 18:24
    Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!
  34. Cross References
    Luke 1:37
    For nothing will be impossible with God.
    Genesis 18:14
    Is anything too hard for the Lord ? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.
    Job 42:2
    I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
    Jeremiah 32:17
    Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.
    Jeremiah 32:27
    Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
  35. Cross References
    Matthew 4:20
    Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
    Matthew 4:22
    Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
    Mark 1:18
    And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
    Mark 1:20
    And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
  36. Cross References
    Luke 14:26
    If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
  37. Cross References
    Job 42:10
    And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
  38. Cross References
    Matthew 6:33
    But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
  39. Cross References
    Matthew 12:32
    And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
    Ephesians 1:21
    Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
    Luke 20:35
    But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.