Luke Chapter 18 · Verse 14
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.
Original Language Analysis
λέγω
I tell
G3004
λέγω
I tell
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
οὗτος
this man
G3778
οὗτος
this man
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
4 of 22
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
δεδικαιωμένος
justified
G1344
δεδικαιωμένος
justified
Strong's:
G1344
Word #:
5 of 22
to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἶκον
house
G3624
οἶκον
house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
8 of 22
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκεῖνος·
the other
G1565
ἐκεῖνος·
the other
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
11 of 22
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτὸν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
16 of 22
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ταπεινῶν
he that humbleth
G5013
ταπεινῶν
he that humbleth
Strong's:
G5013
Word #:
17 of 22
to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ταπεινῶν
he that humbleth
G5013
ταπεινῶν
he that humbleth
Strong's:
G5013
Word #:
20 of 22
to depress; figuratively, to humiliate (in condition or heart)
Cross References
Luke 14:11For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Luke 16:15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.James 4:10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.Proverbs 29:23A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.Matthew 23:12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.James 4:6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.Psalms 138:6Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.Luke 1:52He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.Isaiah 57:15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.Matthew 5:3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.
Historical Context
First-century Judaism debated righteousness: Was it achieved through Torah observance or received as God's gift? Jesus settles the question: justification comes through humble repentance, not self-righteous performance. This teaching anticipated Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Pharisee trusted his works; the tax collector cast himself on God's mercy. Only the latter went home justified—declared righteous before God.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the tax collector's justification reveal about God's basis for declaring someone righteous?
- How does Jesus's principle of reversal (humble exalted, proud abased) challenge worldly definitions of success?
- In what areas might you be trusting your religious performance rather than God's mercy for acceptance?
Analysis & Commentary
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other—Jesus delivers the shocking verdict. Dedikaiōmenos (δεδικαιωμένος) means 'declared righteous,' the same justification language Paul uses (Romans 3-5). The tax collector, not the Pharisee, received God's favorable verdict. Par' ekeinon (παρ᾽ ἐκεῖνον)—'rather than the other'—makes the contrast absolute.
For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted—the principle of divine reversal. Ho hypsōn heauton tapeinōthēsetai (ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται)—self-exaltation leads to humbling. Ho tapeinōn heauton hypsōthēsetai (ὁ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται)—self-humbling leads to exaltation. God's kingdom reverses worldly values: the first shall be last (Matthew 20:16), the humble are exalted (James 4:10).