Definition: And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this famous passage from Luke 18:9. It's a really important and thought-provoking verse about humility and judgment. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us that we need to be humble enough to recognize our own flaws and not be arrogant. It’s saying that if you think you’re too righteous, you might be judging others unfairly. Let's unpack it word by word: “And he spake” : This means Jesus is speaking. “this parable” : He’s telling a story. “unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous” : This is the key part. “Trusted in themselves” means you believe you are good and right, without needing God's help or forgiveness. It’s about feeling like you deserve praise and reward. “and despised others” : This is where it gets interesting. It means that because you think you’re righteous, you’re acting in a way that hurts or belittles others. You might be unkind, dismissive, or even actively trying to make someone feel bad. What's the message? Jesus is saying that true righteousness comes from God’s grace, not from our own self-confidence. It’s about recognizing we all need a helping hand and are fallible – we all make mistakes. If you’re too proud to admit you’re wrong or hurt someone, you're setting yourself up for judgment. In short: The verse encourages us to be humble, not arrogant. It's about acknowledging our limitations and striving to treat others with kindness and respect. --- Would you like me to: Explain a specific part of the parable in more detail? Give you an example of how this principle applies to real-life situations?