The Pharisee & the Tax Collector — Hidden Meanings in The Parables of Jesus (PaRDeS)

PaRDeS Exegesis of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

The PaRDeS method of exegesis, rooted in Kabbalistic traditions and developed by Rabbi Moses de Leon, provides a structured approach to interpreting sacred texts through four interpretative levels: Peshat (literal meaning), Remez (allegorical meaning), Derash (symbolic meaning), and Sod (secret or mystical meaning). Applying this method to the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9–14) reveals its layered meanings.

Peshat (Literal Meaning)

The Peshat level focuses on the straightforward, literal interpretation of the text.

Literal Interpretation: Jesus tells a parable aimed at those who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt. Two men go to the temple to pray: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee stands and prays, thanking God that he is not like other people — sinners, including the tax collector. He boasts about his fasting and tithing. The tax collector, standing at a distance, humbly prays, asking God for mercy, acknowledging himself as a sinner. Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God, emphasizing that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Remez (Allegorical Meaning)

The Remez level seeks to uncover the allegorical or metaphorical significance behind the literal words.

Allegorical Interpretation:

1. Pharisee: Represents self-righteous individuals who rely on their own perceived piety.
2. Tax Collector: Symbolizes those who acknowledge their sins and seek God’s mercy.
3. Temple: Represents the place of worship and prayer, where individuals present themselves before God.
4. Pharisee’s Prayer: Symbolizes arrogance and self-justification.
5. Tax Collector’s Prayer: Represents humility and genuine repentance.
6. Justification: Symbolizes divine approval and forgiveness.

The allegory emphasizes the importance of humility and repentance over self-righteousness and pride, illustrating that true righteousness comes from a humble heart seeking God’s mercy.

Derash (Symbolic Meaning)

The Derash level explores deeper, often symbolic meanings, typically involving moral or homiletic interpretations.

Symbolic Interpretation:

1. Pharisee’s Boasting: Reflects the dangers of pride and self-righteousness in religious practice.
2. Tax Collector’s Humility: Symbolizes the proper attitude of repentance and the recognition of one’s sinfulness.
3. Justification: Highlights the concept that divine favor is granted based on humility and genuine repentance, not self-promotion.
4. Exaltation and Humbling: Emphasizes the moral lesson that those who seek to elevate themselves will be brought low, while those who humble themselves will be lifted up by God.

Symbolically, the parable urges individuals to adopt an attitude of humility and repentance, recognizing that true righteousness and justification come from God’s mercy, not from one’s own deeds.

Sod (Secret or Mystical Meaning)

The Sod level delves into the mystical, esoteric meanings that might be hidden within the text.

Mystical Interpretation:

1. Pharisee: Represents the ego or lower self that seeks validation through outward acts and self-justification.
2. Tax Collector: Symbolizes the soul’s recognition of its need for divine mercy and its journey towards spiritual humility.
3. Temple: Reflects the inner sanctuary of the heart where true communion with the divine occurs.
4. Pharisee’s Prayer: Represents the ego’s illusion of self-sufficiency and separation from the divine.
5. Tax Collector’s Prayer: Symbolizes the soul’s cry for reunion with the divine and the recognition of its dependence on God’s grace.
6. Justification: Represents the soul’s alignment with the divine will and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment through humility.

Mystically, the parable highlights the soul’s journey from ego-driven self-justification to spiritual humility and divine alignment, emphasizing that true spiritual growth requires the surrender of the ego and the embrace of divine mercy.

Conclusion

The PaRDeS method reveals the richness and depth of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. From its literal narrative contrasting the prayers of a self-righteous Pharisee and a repentant tax collector, to its allegorical message about divine justification and the importance of humility, its symbolic encouragement of genuine repentance and the dangers of pride, and its mystical insights into the soul’s journey towards divine alignment, this parable offers a comprehensive understanding of the true nature of righteousness and the transformative power of humility and repentance. Engaging with the text on multiple levels allows one to appreciate the profound and multifaceted teachings of Jesus regarding the importance of humility and the dangers of self-righteousness.