JC

 You’re referring to the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, told by Jesus Christ in Gospel of Luke 18:9–14.

The Story

Two men went to the temple to pray:

• A Pharisee – a respected religious leader.
  He stood and prayed about himself:
  “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
• A Tax Collector – someone widely viewed as corrupt and sinful in that society.
  He stood at a distance, would not even look up to heaven, and said:
  “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Jesus’ Conclusion

Jesus Christ said:

The tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Meaning ✨

The lesson contrasts pride vs humility:

Pharisee	Tax Collector
Proud of his good deeds	Aware of his sin
Compares himself to others	Looks only to God
Self-righteous	Repentant
Not justified	Justified

The point isn’t that religious practices are bad, but that self-righteous pride blocks true relationship with God, while humble repentance opens the door to grace.

Key message

God responds more to a humble heart than to religious performance.

If you want, I can also show:

• why tax collectors were hated in first-century Judea,
• how the Pharisees were viewed historically, or
• how this parable connects to the idea of justification in Christianity.