One man trusting in his own righteousness (δίκαιοι) left with only his self-justification. The repentant man, however, throwing himself on God’s mercy, returned home a new man—δεδικαιωμένος before God. Jesus concludes the story with two divine passives: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled [by God], and those who humble themselves will be exalted [by God]” (18:14b). Genuine faith, the kind Jesus will be looking for at his return, involves simple humility and dependence on the Lord