What Is The Parable Of The Pharisee And The Tax Collector?

The Pharisees were a Jewish sect in the time of Jesus; in the New Testament they often feature as examples of over-strict, even bigoted religious groups. Tax collectors have never been popular anywhere, but were especially hated in Judea at this time because, although Jewish themselves, they worked for the much-resented Roman administration.

In the parable, a Pharisee and a tax collector went into the synagogue to pray. Having performed all the necessary rituals, the Pharisee felt very pleased with himself and said, "I thank you, Lord, that I am not sinful like that tax collector over there. I always obey your laws and would never lower myself as he does." Meanwhile the tax collector hadn't the heart to perform any rituals at all. He just said "God have mercy on me, a sinner."

We are told that God was pleased with the tax collector that day, but not with the Pharisee.