Assignment task:
Jesus of Nazareth used many parables to teach common people theological or ethical concepts in a way they could more easily understand. One of his more famous parables is the one concerning a Pharisee (in Palestinian Judaism, this was an expert in teaching the Mosaic Law) and a tax collector (seen by many Palestinian Jews at the time as corrupt and/or collaborators with the Roman Empire). Please explain in detail what you think this parable means; and what the main point that Jesus (as the teller of the parable) was trying to get across to the people of his day.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income." 13But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.' [Luke 18:9-14]