Justified rather than the other:— Justified, and not the other. Heylin. The original δεδιχαιωμενος, η εκεινος is a peculiar idiom of the Greek language, and will not admit of a literal construction in English. The following passage will serve to shew, that its true import is as above given. In John 13:10 our Saviour says, He that is washed, need not to wash, save his feet; ου χρειαν εχει η τους ποδας νιψασθαι, where the phrase is exactly the same as here, and excludes all washing but that of the feet. The reader will observe, that there is nothing for rather in the original, and therefore it is printed in Italics in ourBibles. Besides, it is manifest to the least observation, that the Pharisee could not at all be acceptable in the sight of him, who has declared, that he abaseth all who exalt themselves. This appears to have been a very favourite maxim with our Lord. See on Matthew 23:12.
From the present parable we learn several important lessons; as,—that the generality of men are great strangers to themselves, and ignorant of their own characters;—that they oftentimes thank God in words for his benefits, while their hearts are by no means penetrated with any just sense of them;—that it is difficult for men in general to think of the sins from which they themselves are free, without censuring the persons who in their opinion are guilty of them;—that a man may be veryready to censure others, withouta single thought of reforming himself—and that in a certain sense, we may be clear of open and scandalous sins, while we are full of inward spiritual wickedness, pride, envy, malice, hypocrisy, and voluptuousness. We may farther observe, that by propounding this parable immediately after that of the importunate widow, our Lord has taught us, that although our prayers must be very earnest and frequent, theyshould always be accompanied with the deepest humility; because no disposition of mind is more proper for such weak and frail beings as men to appear with before the great God, than an absolute self-abasement. See the Inferences and Reflections.