The Pharisee's prayer was loaded with pride, telling God how good he was (and that he was far better than the publican next to him). The publican, on the other hand, could not even look up to God, but simply asked mercy. Jesus replied that the publican's shame at his own sin is held higher than the Pharisee's gratitude for his own virtue. | The Pharisee's prayer was loaded with pride, telling God how good he was (and that he was far better than the publican next to him). The publican, on the other hand, could not even look up to God, but simply asked mercy. Jesus replied that the publican's shame at his own sin is held higher than the Pharisee's gratitude for his own virtue. |