Six ways to encounter God here
A passage is not only to be understood; it is to be lived with. Choose how you want to meet God in Luke 18:14, and Living Bread opens it right there.
The passage in its setting
Meeting God in a verse begins with hearing it where it lives, in the flow of Luke 18. Read it slowly, and let the focal verse settle into its own context.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 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.
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
The web of Scripture around it
Where this passage echoes across the Bible, from the cross-reference graph, 14 connected Scriptures. Each one is a door to meet God there too.
- Luke 14:11
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
- Luke 16:15
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
- James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
- Matthew 23:12
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
- Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
- James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
- Luke 1:52
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
- Psalms 138:6
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
- Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the s…
- Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- 1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- Proverbs 3:34
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
- Job 25:4
How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
- Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
More to meet God in Luke
How it points to Christ
Every Scripture ultimately leads to Jesus. See how the whole Bible points to Him in Christ in all Scripture, then meet Him for yourself.