Luke 18:14

Good News Translation

I tell you," said Jesus, "the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God when he went home. For those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great."

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I tell you, this one went down to his house justified

King James Version (1611)
I tell you, this man went downe to his house iustified rather then the other: For euery one that exalteth himselfe, shall be abased: and hee that humbleth himselfe, shall be exalted.

King James Version
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.

English Standard Version
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."

New American Standard Bible
"I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

New Century Version
I tell you, when this man went home, he was right with God, but the Pharisee was not. All who make themselves great will be made humble, but all who make themselves humble will be made great."

Amplified Bible
"I tell you, this man went to his home justified [forgiven of the guilt of sin and placed in right standing with God] rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself [forsaking self-righteous pride] will be exalted."

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Legacy Standard Bible
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he 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."

Contemporary English Version
Then Jesus said, "When the two men went home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was pleasing to God. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored."

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."

Darby Translation
I say unto you, This [man] went down to his house justified rather than that [other]. For every one who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

Easy-to-Read Version
I tell you, when this man finished his prayer and went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee, who felt that he was better than others, was not right with God. People who make themselves important will be made humble. But those who make themselves humble will be made important."

Geneva Bible (1587)
I tell you, this man departed to his house iustified, rather then the other: for euery man that exalteth himselfe, shall be brought lowe, and he that humbleth himselfe, shalbe exalted.

George Lamsa Translation
I say to you, that this man went down to his house more righteous than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled; and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

Lexham English Bible
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than that one! For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Literal Translation
I say to you, This one went down to his house having been justified, rather than that one. For everyone exalting himself will be humbled. And the one humbling 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.

Bible in Basic English
I say to you, This man went back to his house with God's approval, and not the other: for everyone who makes himself high will be made low and whoever makes himself low will be made high.

Hebrew Names Version
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

International Standard Version
I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went down to his home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be exalted."Job 1:22:29; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5-6;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
I tell you that this one went down justified to his house, rather than that Pharisha. For every man who exalteth himself shall be humbled, and every one who humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Murdock Translation
14 I say to you, that this [fn] went down to his house justified, rather than the Pharisee. For every one that exalteth himself, will be humbled; and every one that humbleth himself, will be exalted.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
I tell you, this man departed [home] to his house iustified, rather then the other. For euery one that exalteth hym selfe, shalbe brought lowe: And he that humbleth hym selfe, shalbe exalted.

English Revised 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.

World English Bible
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Weymouth's New Testament
"I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Treuli Y seie to you, this yede doun in to his hous, and was iustified fro the other. For ech that enhaunsith hym, schal be maad low, and he that mekith hym, schal be enhaunsid.

Update Bible Version
I say to you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be humbled; but he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

New English Translation
I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

New King James Version
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

New Living Translation
I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

New Life Bible
I tell you, this man went back to his house forgiven, and not the other man. For whoever makes himself look more important than he is will find out how little he is worth. Whoever does not try to honor himself will be made important."

New Revised Standard
I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I tell you - This one went down justified, unto his house, rather than that one; because, every one who exalteth himself, shall be abased, but, he that abaseth himself, shall be exalted?

Douay-Rheims Bible
I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Revised Standard Version
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I tell you: this ma departed hoe to his housse iustified moore then the other. For every man that exalteth him selfe shalbe brought low: And he yt hubleth him selfe shalbe exalted

Young's Literal Translation
I say to you, this one went down declared righteous, to his house, rather than that one: for every one who is exalting himself shall be humbled, and he who is humbling himself shall be exalted.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I tell you: This man wente downe in to his house iustified more the the other. For who so euer exalteth himself, shalbe brought lowe: and he that humbleth himself, shalbe exalted.

Mace New Testament (1729)
I tell you this man went home approv'd as just, and not the other. for whoever exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

THE MESSAGE
Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."

Simplified Cowboy Version
"I'm telling you the truth cowboys, this crooked brand inspector was right in God's eyes, not that religious fellow. Those who pat themselves on their back will end up flat on their back. And those who cry out to God with their face down in sorrow will be lifted up to heaven."

Contextual Overview

⁹ Jesus also told this parable to people who were sure of their own goodness and despised everybody else. ¹⁰ "Once there were two men who went up to the Temple to pray: one was a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood apart by himself and prayed, ‘I thank you, God, that I am not greedy, dishonest, or an adulterer, like everybody else. I thank you that I am not like that tax collector over there. ¹² I fast two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all my income.' ¹³ But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even raise his face to heaven, but beat on his breast and said, ‘God, have pity on me, a sinner!' ¹⁴ I tell you," said Jesus, "the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God when he went home. For those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

went: Luke 5:24, Luke 5:25, Luke 7:47-50, 1 Samuel 1:18, Ecclesiastes 9:7

justified: Luke 10:29, Luke 16:15, Job 9:20, Job 25:4, Psalms 143:2, Isaiah 45:25, Isaiah 53:11, Romans 3:20, Romans 4:5, Romans 5:1, Romans 8:33, Galatians 2:16, James 2:21-25

every: Luke 1:52, Luke 14:11, Exodus 18:11, Job 22:29, Job 40:9-13, Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 3:34, Proverbs 15:33, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 16:19, Proverbs 18:12, Proverbs 29:23, Isaiah 2:11-17, Isaiah 57:15, Daniel 4:37, Habakkuk 2:4, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 23:12, James 4:6, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Peter 5:6

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:41 - humbled Deuteronomy 8:2 - to humble 1 Kings 1:5 - exalted 2 Chronicles 12:6 - humbled 2 Chronicles 30:11 - humbled themselves 2 Chronicles 33:12 - humbled Job 40:11 - behold Psalms 10:17 - humble Psalms 18:27 - bring Psalms 40:12 - mine Psalms 101:5 - an high Psalms 119:21 - rebuked Proverbs 11:2 - pride Proverbs 21:4 - An high look Proverbs 25:7 - than Isaiah 40:4 - valley Isaiah 66:2 - to this Jeremiah 13:9 - the pride Lamentations 1:20 - for Daniel 5:20 - when Matthew 19:30 - General Matthew 20:26 - it Mark 9:35 - If Mark 10:43 - whosoever John 4:10 - thou wouldest John 9:41 - If Acts 13:39 - by Romans 2:13 - justified Romans 11:20 - Be 1 Corinthians 6:11 - but ye are justified Philippians 2:3 - but 1 Timothy 1:16 - for a

Cross-References

Genesis 17:21
But I will keep my covenant with your son Isaac, who will be born to Sarah about this time next year."

Genesis 18:1
The Lord appeared to Abraham at the sacred trees of Mamre. As Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day,

Genesis 18:2
he looked up and saw three men standing there. As soon as he saw them, he ran out to meet them. Bowing down with his face touching the ground,

Genesis 18:10
One of them said, "Nine months from now I will come back, and your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was behind him, at the door of the tent, listening.

Numbers 11:23
"Is there a limit to my power?" the Lord answered. "You will soon see whether what I have said will happen or not!"

Deuteronomy 7:21
So do not be afraid of these people. The Lord your God is with you; he is a great God and one to be feared.

Deuteronomy 30:3
then the Lord your God will have mercy on you. He will bring you back from the nations where he has scattered you, and he will make you prosperous again.

1 Samuel 14:6
Jonathan said to the young man, "Let's cross over to the camp of those heathen Philistines. Maybe the Lord will help us; if he does, nothing can keep him from giving us the victory, no matter how few of us there are."

2 Kings 4:16
and Elisha said to her, "By this time next year you will be holding a son in your arms." "Oh!" she exclaimed. "Please, sir, don't lie to me. You are a man of God!"

Job 36:5
How strong God is! He despises no one; there is nothing he doesn't understand.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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; :- to which may be added the following passages;

"whoever is of a haughty spirit, at last shall be made low y.''

And again,

"whosoever humbleth himself, the holy blessed God will lift him up z.''

y T. Bab. Sota, fol. 5. 1. z Zohar in Lev. fol. 39. 1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I tell you - The Pharisees would have said that the first man here was approved. Jesus assures them that they judged erroneously. God judges of this differently from people.

Justified - Accepted or approved of God. The word “justify” means to declare or treat as righteous. In this case it means that in their prayers the one was approved and the other not; the one went down with the favor of God in answer to his petitions, the other not.

For every one ... - See the notes at Luke 14:11.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 18:14. Went doom to his house justified — His sin blotted out; and himself accepted.

Rather than the other — Η εκεινος: that is, the other was not accepted, because he exalted himself - he made use of the mercies which he acknowledged he owed to God, to make claims on the Divine approbation, and to monopolize the salvation of the Most High! He was abased, because he vainly trusted that he was righteous, and depended on what he had been enabled to do, and looked not for a change of heart, nor for reconciliation to God. It is a strange perversion of the human mind, to attempt to make God our debtor by the very blessings which his mere mercy has conferred upon us! It was a maxim among the Jews, that whoever brought a sacrifice to the temple returned justified. But our Lord shows that this depended on the state of mind-if they were not humbled under a sense of sin, they were not justified, though they had even offered a sacrifice.