Luke Chapter 18 · Verse 11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαῖος
The Pharisee
G5330
Φαρισαῖος
The Pharisee
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
2 of 28
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
σταθεὶς
stood
G2476
σταθεὶς
stood
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
3 of 28
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
πρὸς
with
G4314
πρὸς
with
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 28
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
5 of 28
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 28
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
εὐχαριστῶ
I thank
G2168
εὐχαριστῶ
I thank
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
10 of 28
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἄδικοι
unjust
G94
ἄδικοι
unjust
Strong's:
G94
Word #:
21 of 28
unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen
καὶ
even
G2532
καὶ
even
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
25 of 28
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
οὗτος
this
G3778
οὗτος
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
26 of 28
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
Cross References
Matthew 6:5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.Revelation 3:17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:Isaiah 65:5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.Jeremiah 2:35Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.Mark 11:25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Historical Context
Pharisaic prayers often included blessings thanking God for privileges. The Talmud records a prayer: 'Blessed are you, Lord, who has not made me a Gentile, a slave, or a woman.' Comparison was built into their framework. However, Jesus condemns thanksgiving based on superiority rather than grace. The Pharisee's standing position was normal for prayer (Mark 11:25), but his spiritual posture—self-exaltation through comparison—violated true worship.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'prayed with himself' reveal about prayer that focuses on self-comparison rather than God's character?
- How does comparative righteousness ('I'm not like them') differ from humble dependence on God's mercy?
- In what ways might you be tempted to measure your spiritual life by comparing yourself favorably to others?
Analysis & Commentary
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men—the Greek phrase pros heauton (πρὸς ἑαυτόν) is devastating: 'with himself' or 'to himself.' His prayer never reaches God; it's self-congratulatory monologue. Eucharistō soi (εὐχαριστῶ σοι) means 'I thank you,' but his thanksgiving is comparison-based: ouk eimi hōsper hoi loipoi (οὐκ εἰμὶ ὥσπερ οἱ λοιποί)—'I am not like the rest.'
He lists categories: harpages (extortioners), adikoi (unjust), moichoi (adulterers), then points: ē kai hōs houtos ho telōnēs (ἢ καὶ ὡς οὗτος ὁ τελώνης)—'or even as this tax collector.' His righteousness is comparative, not absolute. He measures himself by others, not by God's holiness, creating a religion of pride rather than grace.