As a Pharisee, Simon finds it incomprehensible that Jesus allows himself to be "contaminated" by sinners, as was the common mentality at the time. "He thinks that if Jesus were really a prophet he ...

The Pharisee trusted in himself that he was righteous ... The tax collector said a very simple prayer, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." His prayer was heard by God and he was forgiven.

and to separate themselves from commoners and sinners. Their ranks consisted of middle-class businessmen who often became scribes to teach the law as well. Not all Pharisees were scribes and not ...

Jesus saw sinners taking heaven by storm while the Pharisees remained outside in the specious certitude of their own worthiness. Jesus could not reach them in their solitude and self-assurance.

In fact, there are only sinners, but some know it, and some do not. The scribes and Pharisees, official watchdogs over moral and religious rectitude, did not know they were sinners, while most ...