The Pharisee and the publican represent two great classes into which those who come to worship God are divided. Their first two representatives are found in the first two children that were born into the world. Cain thought himself righteous, and he came to God with a thank offering only. He made no confession of sin, and acknowledged no need of mercy. But Abel came with the blood that pointed to the Lamb of God. He came as a sinner, confessing himself lost; his only hope was the unmerited love of God. The Lord had respect to his offering, but to Cain and his offering He had not respect. The sense of need, the recognition of our poverty and sin, is the very first condition of acceptance with God. "Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:3.

Farisæeren og tolderen repræsenterer to store klasser mennesker som man kan dele dem i, der kommer for at tilbede Gud. De første to findes i dø første to børn, der blev født i denne verden. Kain mente om sig selv, at han var retfærdig, og han bragte kun et takoffer til Gud. Han bekendte ikke sin synd og erkendte ikke, at han behøvede nåde og barmhjertighed. Men Abel bragte blodet, der viste hen til Guds lam. Han kom som en synder og bekendte, at han var fortabt; hans eneste håb var Guds kærlighed, som han ikke havde gjort sig fortjent til. Herren agtede på hans offer men han agtede ikke på Kain og hans offer Den allerførste betingelse for at vi kan blive antaget af Gud, er at vi forstår vort behov og erkender vor fattigdom og synd. "Salige er de fattige i ånden, thi Himmeriget er deres."