Luke 18:10

Amharic New Standard Translation (አማርኛ አዲሱ መደበኛ ትርጉም) 2005

“ሁለት ሰዎች ለመጸለይ ወደ ቤተ መቅደስ ሄዱ፤ አንዱ ፈሪሳዊ ሲሆን ሌላው ቀራጭ ነበር።

What Does This Mean?

This verse sets up a story in which two men go to pray at the temple; one is a Pharisee, and the other is a publican. It does not quote anyone speaking but introduces characters for Jesus' parable about humility.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have two friends who decide to go to church to pray. One friend thinks he's really good and follows all the rules, like the Pharisee. The other friend feels bad about making mistakes, like the publican. This story helps us learn how we should be humble when talking to God.

Historical Background

Luke wrote this verse as part of a parable in his gospel account around AD 60-80 for Greek-speaking Christians. It reflects Jewish customs and religious practices where Pharisees were seen as righteous while publicans, tax collectors, were viewed with suspicion due to their dealings with Romans.

Living It Out Today

In modern life, this verse reminds us not to compare ourselves to others in terms of our righteousness but rather to be humble before God. For instance, when you're at a community service event, focus on your own actions and the need for humility instead of feeling superior or inferior based on what others do.

Topics

• humility
• prayer
• judgment
• religious practice
• self-righteousness
• salvation

Related Verses

• Psalms 51:6
• Matthew 6:7-8
• Romans 3:23
• Luke 18:9-14
• Proverbs 3:7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jesus tell this parable?

Jesus used this parable to teach about humility and the danger of self-righteousness. He wanted people to understand that true righteousness comes from God, not from human actions.

What is a publican in biblical times?

A publican was typically a tax collector for Rome, often seen as corrupt or traitorous by Jews because of their cooperation with Roman authorities. They were generally considered sinful and disreputable by the community.

How can this parable influence our daily interactions?

This parable encourages us to be humble in all our actions, especially when we interact with others. It teaches that true humility allows us to recognize our own need for God's grace and forgiveness.

Why is the temple significant in this context?

The temple was the center of Jewish worship and prayer. By setting the story there, Jesus emphasizes how religious practices can sometimes be misused as a display of self-righteousness rather than true devotion to God.