(outline by John Macarthur)

1. The comprehensive audience
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: Luke 18:9 (ESV)

 2. The contrasting analogy
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 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. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Luke 18:10-13 (ESV)

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1 (ESV)

3. The confounding answer
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other . . . Luke 18:14 (ESV)

 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:16 (ESV)

 4. The central axiom
14  . . . For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 (ESV)

One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23 (ESV)

11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11 (ESV)