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.

LUKE 18:14KJV
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Luke 18:14 (KJV)

What does Luke 18:14 mean?

Luke 18:14 says that the humble person is accepted and made right before God, while the one who lifts himself up is brought low. Jesus teaches that God values humility over self-importance, and those who humble themselves will be honored in the end.

Jesus is speaking to a crowd, finishing the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee boasted about his goodness, while the tax collector humbly asked for mercy. Jesus explains that it was the humble tax collector who went home "justified"—meaning made right with God—rather than the proud Pharisee. This verse sums up the main lesson: God looks at the heart, not outward status or pride.

The Greek behind Luke 18:14

  • δικαιόω (dikaioō, "justified"): This word means to be declared righteous or made right with God. In this context, it shows that the tax collector, not the outwardly religious Pharisee, is accepted by God.
  • ὑψόω (hypsōō, "exalteth"/"exalted"): This word means to lift up or raise high. Jesus uses it to describe those who try to make themselves important.
  • ταπεινόω (tapeinoō, "abased"/"humbleth"): This word means to lower or humble. Jesus uses it for those who recognize their need for God's mercy, showing that God values a humble attitude.

Why Luke 18:14 matters

  • Luke 18:14 clears up the common misunderstanding that outward religious actions or pride make someone right with God; instead, it is humility that God honors.
  • This verse highlights the main point of the parable: God’s approval is not based on self-promotion but on honest humility and repentance.
  • Luke 18:14 connects to the wider message of Jesus throughout the Gospels, where the last are made first and the proud are brought low, showing a reversal of human expectations.

Where else these words appear

“abased” Greek G5013 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
  • Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

“exalteth” Greek G5312 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
  • John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
  • Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

“justified” Greek G1344 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
  • Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
  • Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

“down” Greek G2597 · used in 80 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
  • Acts 10:21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?