Lukas 18:14

14 I say to you, this one, rather than the other one, went down to his bais having been made yitzdak im Hashem (justified with G-d). Because everyone lifting himself up will be brought low, but the one bringing himself low will be uplifted.

Lukas 18:14 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 18:14

I tell you that this man
The publican that so freely owned himself to be a sinner, and by his carriage acknowledged he was unworthy of any favour; and who was treated with so much contempt by the Pharisee:

went down to his house;
from the temple which was built on a mountain,

justified, [rather] than the other:
accounted as a righteous person in the sight of God; justified from all his sins, and accepted by him, when the other was abhorred and neglected. The Syriac and Persic versions, and so Beza's most ancient copy, read, "than the Pharisee", who had such an high opinion of himself, and despised others: not that the Pharisee was justified at all, when the publican really was; but the sense is, that if judgment had been to have been made, and sentence passed according to the then conduct and behaviour of both parties, the publican had greatly the advantage, in the sight of God; an humble demeanour being well pleasing and acceptable to him, when pride, and arrogance, boasting of, and trusting in a man's own righteousness, are abhorred by him;

for every one that exalteth himself, shall be abased, and he that
humbleth himself, shall be exalted.
This was a proverbial expression, often mentioned by Christ on different occasions, and frequently used by the Jews; (See Gill on Matthew 23:12) to which may be added the following passages;

``whoever is of a haughty spirit, at last shall be made low ^F25.''

And again,

``whosoever humbleth himself, the holy blessed God will lift him up ^F26.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 T. Bab. Sota, fol. 5. 1.
F26 Zohar in Lev. fol. 39. 1.

Lukas 18:14 In-Context

12 I undergo a tzom (fast) twice during the week, I give the ma’aser (tithe) of everything as much as I get. [YESHAYAH 58:3, MALACHI 3:8]

13 But the moches (tax collector) stood at a distance and was not willing even to lift up his eynayim to Shomayim but was beating his chest, saying, Adonoi, rachem na al choteh kamoni! (L-rd, have mercy on a sinner like me!) [YESHAYAH 66:2; YIRMEYAH 31:19]

14 I say to you, this one, rather than the other one, went down to his bais having been made yitzdak im Hashem (justified with G-d). Because everyone lifting himself up will be brought low, but the one bringing himself low will be uplifted.

15 Now also they were bringing to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach yeladim that he might place his hands on them. But having seen this, the talmidim were rebuking them.

16 But Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach called for them saying, Permit the yeladim to come to me and do not hinder them, for of such ones is the Malchut Hashem.