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He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, &#8216God, have mercy on me, a sinner.&#8217 <a href="/nlt/luke/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ <a href="/esv/luke/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ <a href="/bsb/luke/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ <a href="/blb/luke/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the tax collector, standing afar off, was not even willing to lift up the eyes to heaven, but was striking his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' <a href="/kjv/luke/18.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/luke/18.htm">New King James Version</a> And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ <a href="/nasb_/luke/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ <a href="/nasb/luke/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, &#8216God, be merciful to me, the sinner!&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/luke/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ <a href="/lsb/luke/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ <a href="/amp/luke/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even raise his eyes toward heaven, but was striking his chest [in humility and repentance], saying, ‘God, be merciful and gracious to me, the [especially wicked] sinner [that I am]!’ <a href="/csb/luke/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner! ’ <a href="/hcsb/luke/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, God, turn Your wrath from me —a sinner!&#8217 <a href="/asv/luke/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner. <a href="/cev/luke/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, "God, have pity on me! I am such a sinner." <a href="/erv/luke/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner. <a href="/gwt/luke/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "But the tax collector was standing at a distance. He wouldn't even look up to heaven. Instead, he became very upset, and he said, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' <a href="/gnt/luke/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even raise his face to heaven, but beat on his breast and said, 'God, have pity on me, a sinner!' <a href="/isv/luke/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> "But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even look up to heaven. Instead, he continued to beat his chest and said, 'O God, be merciful to me, the sinner that I am!' <a href="/msb/luke/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ?God, have mercy on me, a sinner!? <a href="/net/luke/18.htm">NET Bible</a> The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!' <a href="/nheb/luke/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But the tax collector, standing far away, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' <a href="/wbt/luke/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. <a href="/wey/luke/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "'O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.' <a href="/web/luke/18.htm">World English Bible</a> But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the tax collector, having stood far off, would not even lift up the eyes to the sky, but was striking on his breast, saying, God be propitious to me—the sinner! <a href="/blb/luke/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the tax collector, standing afar off, was not even willing to lift up the eyes to heaven, but was striking his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' <a href="/ylt/luke/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And the tax-gatherer, having stood afar off, would not even the eyes lift up to the heaven, but was smiting on his breast, saying, God be propitious to me -- the sinner! <a href="/slt/luke/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the publican, standing afar off, would not either lift up the eyes to heaven, but struck upon his breast, saying, God propitiate for me the sinful.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O god, be merciful to me a sinner. <a href="/cpdv/luke/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And the tax collector, standing at a distance, was not willing to even lift up his eyes to heaven. But he struck his chest, saying: ‘O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ <a href="/nabre/luke/18.htm">New American Bible</a> But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ <a href="/nrsvce/luke/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But the publican stood afar off, and he would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, O God, be merciful to me, I am a sinner. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “But that Tax Collector was standing from a distance and he would not even lift his eyes up to Heaven, but he was smiting on his chest and he said, 'God, have pity on me, a sinner.' “<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And the publican, standing afar off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying: God, be merciful to me a sinner. <a href="/godbey/luke/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>But the publican, standing a great way off, did not wish even to lift up his eyes to the heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me the sinner.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And the tax-gatherer standing at a distance, would not even so much as lift his eyes heaven-ward, but smote on his breast, saying, May God accept the atonement for me a sinner! <a href="/mace/luke/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but the Publican, who stood a good way lower, not daring to lift up even his eyes to heaven, only smote his breast, and said, O God, be merciful to me, who am a sinner. <a href="/wey/luke/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "'O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.' <a href="/worrell/luke/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"But the tax-collector, standing afar off, would not lift up even his eyes to heaven, but was smiting his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>But the publican standing at a distance did not presume so much as to lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, O God, be merciful to me a sinner.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/18-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=7149" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/18.htm">The Pharisee and Tax Collector</a> …12I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ 13<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5057.htm" title="5057: telōnēs (N-NMS) -- A publican, collector of taxes. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, i.e. Collector of public revenue.">tax collector</a> <a href="/greek/2476.htm" title="2476: hestōs (V-RPA-NMS) -- A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.">stood</a> <a href="/greek/3113.htm" title="3113: makrothen (Adv) -- From a (long) distance, afar. Adverb from makros; from a distance or afar.">at a distance,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: ēthelen (V-IIA-3S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">unwilling even</a> <a href="/greek/3761.htm" title="3761: oude (Adv) -- Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even."></a> <a href="/greek/1869.htm" title="1869: eparai (V-ANA) -- To raise, lift up. From epi and airo; to raise up.">to lift up</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3788.htm" title="3788: ophthalmous (N-AMP) -- The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.">eyes</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranon (N-AMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven.</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">Instead,</a> <a href="/greek/5180.htm" title="5180: etypten (V-IIA-3S) -- To beat, strike, wound, inflict punishment. ">he beat</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4738.htm" title="4738: stēthos (N-ANS) -- The breast, chest. From histemi; the bosom, i.e. Chest.">breast</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">and said,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: HO (Art-VMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">‘God,</a> <a href="/greek/2433.htm" title="2433: hilasthēti (V-AMP-2S) -- (a) To have mercy on, show favor to, (b) trans. with object of sins: To forgive, pardon. ">have mercy</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">on me,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">a</a> <a href="/greek/268.htm" title="268: hamartōlō (Adj-DMS) -- Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.">sinner!’</a> 14I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17</a> The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. <a href="/isaiah/57-15.htm">Isaiah 57:15</a> For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite. <a href="/isaiah/66-2.htm">Isaiah 66:2</a> Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word. <a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3</a> “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. <a href="/matthew/5-4.htm">Matthew 5:4</a> Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a> But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” <a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Matthew 21:31</a> Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. <a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a> For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. <a href="/mark/2-17.htm">Mark 2:17</a> On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” <a href="/luke/5-32.htm">Luke 5:32</a> I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” <a href="/luke/15-18.htm">Luke 15:18-19</a> I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ <a href="/luke/15-21.htm">Luke 15:21</a> The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ <a href="/luke/19-10.htm">Luke 19:10</a> For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a> for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, <a href="/romans/7-24.htm">Romans 7:24</a> What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote on his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.standing.<a href="/luke/5-8.htm">Luke 5:8</a> When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.<a href="/luke/7-6.htm">Luke 7:6,7</a> Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: … <a href="/luke/17-12.htm">Luke 17:12</a> And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:but.<a href="/luke/23-48.htm">Luke 23:48</a> And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.<a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Jeremiah 31:18,19</a> I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God… <a href="/2_corinthians/7-11.htm">2 Corinthians 7:11</a> For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.God.<a href="/psalms/25-7.htm">Psalm 25:7,11</a> Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD… <a href="/psalms/41-4.htm">Psalm 41:4</a> I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.<a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">Psalm 51:1-3</a> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions… a sinner.<a href="/luke/15-18.htm">Luke 15:18-21</a> I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, … <a href="/luke/23-40.htm">Luke 23:40-43</a> But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? … <a href="/2_chronicles/33-12.htm">2 Chronicles 33:12,13,19,23</a> And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/17-12.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Beat</a> <a href="/luke/12-48.htm">Beating</a> <a href="/luke/16-23.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/luke/18-11.htm">Collector</a> <a href="/luke/17-13.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/luke/16-23.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/luke/16-23.htm">Far</a> <a href="/luke/15-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/luke/17-29.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/luke/17-12.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/luke/18-3.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/luke/14-5.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/luke/6-36.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/luke/18-11.htm">Publican</a> <a href="/luke/17-20.htm">Signs</a> <a href="/luke/15-10.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/mark/15-19.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/luke/18-11.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/luke/18-11.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/luke/18-11.htm">Tax</a> <a href="/luke/18-10.htm">Tax-Farmer</a> <a href="/luke/18-10.htm">Tax-Gatherer</a> <a href="/luke/18-4.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/22-54.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/luke/20-10.htm">Beat</a> <a href="/luke/22-63.htm">Beating</a> <a href="/luke/21-23.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/luke/19-2.htm">Collector</a> <a href="/romans/9-15.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/luke/19-42.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/luke/19-12.htm">Far</a> <a href="/luke/20-20.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/luke/18-16.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/luke/20-20.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/luke/18-21.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/luke/21-28.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-9.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/luke/19-2.htm">Publican</a> <a href="/luke/21-11.htm">Signs</a> <a href="/luke/19-7.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/luke/22-50.htm">Smote</a> <a href="/luke/18-40.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/luke/18-40.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/luke/19-2.htm">Tax</a> <a href="/luke/19-2.htm">Tax-Farmer</a> <a href="/luke/19-2.htm">Tax-Gatherer</a> <a href="/luke/22-32.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 18</div>1. <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Of the importunate widow.</a> 9. <a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Of the Pharisee and the tax collector.</a> 15. <a href="/luke/18-15.htm">Of Children brought to Jesus.</a> 18. <a href="/luke/18-18.htm">A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches.</a> 28. <a href="/luke/18-28.htm">The reward of those who leave all for his sake.</a> 31. <a href="/luke/18-31.htm">He foretells his death;</a> 35. <a href="/luke/18-35.htm">and restores a blind man to sight.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But the tax collector stood at a distance Tax collectors in Jesus' time were often despised by the Jewish community because they collected taxes for the Roman occupiers and were known for extortion. The tax collector's choice to stand at a distance reflects his awareness of his social and spiritual status, acknowledging his unworthiness to approach God closely. This act of standing apart symbolizes humility and repentance, contrasting with the Pharisee's self-righteousness earlier in the passage.unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven In Jewish culture, lifting one's eyes to heaven was a common posture of prayer, signifying a direct appeal to God. The tax collector's reluctance to do so indicates profound shame and contrition. This posture is reminiscent of other biblical figures who express deep humility and repentance, such as Ezra (<a href="/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6</a>) and the psalmist (<a href="/psalms/123.htm">Psalm 123:1-2</a>).Instead, he beat his breast Beating one's breast was a gesture of extreme sorrow and penitence in ancient Jewish culture. It is a physical manifestation of inner turmoil and regret, often associated with mourning or deep repentance. This action underscores the tax collector's sincere acknowledgment of his sinfulness and his desire for forgiveness.and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ The plea for mercy is central to the tax collector's prayer, highlighting his recognition of his need for God's grace. The term "mercy" here is linked to the concept of atonement and forgiveness, echoing the sacrificial system of the Old Testament where mercy was sought through offerings. The acknowledgment of being "a sinner" aligns with the biblical understanding that all have sinned (<a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>) and need redemption. This prayer is a model of genuine repentance and faith, contrasting with the self-justification of the Pharisee.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/tax_collector.htm">Tax Collector</a> A despised figure in Jewish society, often seen as a traitor for working with the Roman authorities and known for extortion. His humility and repentance are central to this verse. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisee.htm">Pharisee (implied)</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the Pharisee is part of the parable's context. He represents self-righteousness and pride, contrasting with the tax collector's humility. 3. <a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple</a> The setting of the parable, where both the Pharisee and the tax collector go to pray. It symbolizes a place of worship and reflection. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The speaker of the parable, using this account to teach about humility, repentance, and God's mercy. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The recipient of the tax collector's prayer, highlighting His role as merciful and just.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a> The tax collector's posture and prayer demonstrate the importance of approaching God with humility, recognizing our own sinfulness. <a href="/topical/t/true_repentance.htm">True Repentance</a> Genuine repentance involves acknowledging one's sins and seeking God's mercy, as exemplified by the tax collector. <a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy.htm">God's Mercy</a> This verse highlights God's readiness to extend mercy to those who sincerely seek it, regardless of their past. <a href="/topical/c/contrasting_attitudes.htm">Contrasting Attitudes</a> The parable contrasts the self-righteousness of the Pharisee with the humility of the tax collector, teaching that God values a humble heart over outward religious displays. <a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_reflection_of_the_heart.htm">Prayer as a Reflection of the Heart</a> The tax collector's prayer is simple yet profound, showing that God values the sincerity of our prayers over their eloquence.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 18</a> <a href="/q/who_is_justified__humble_or_proud.htm">Who is truly justified, the humble or the proud?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_jesus_prayer.htm">What is the Jesus Prayer?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_sinner's_prayer.htm">What is the Sinner's Prayer?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'virtue_signaling'_mean.htm">What does "virtue signaling" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) The publican, standing afar off.--The words point to a sense of shame which kept the publican away from the crowd of worshippers who pressed forward to the ark-end of the outer court of the Temple--away, above all, from the devout and respectable Pharisee. So might some "forlorn and desperate castaway" crouch, at some solemn service, in the remote corner of the nave of a cathedral. He, too, stood, for that was the received attitude of prayer, and kneeling, at such a time and in that place, would have been ostentatious.Would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven.--There is a subtle delineation of what one may call the physiognomy of repentance, which should not pass unnoticed. The downcast look stands in contrast with the supercilious expression (taking the adjective in its most literal sense) of the Pharisee.But smote upon his breast.--The same act meets us as the expression of extremest sorrow in those who stood by the cross (<a href="/luke/23-48.htm" title="And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.">Luke 23:48</a>). Looked at physiologically, it seems to imply a tension of the vessels of the heart, such as we all feel in deep emotion, to which outward impact seems, in some measure, to minister relief. So men strike their chest, when suffering from cold, to quicken the circulation of the blood. As being spontaneous and involuntary, it attested the reality of the emotion, and contrasted with the calm, fixed attitude of the Pharisee.God be merciful to me a sinner.--Literally, to me the sinner, as though, like St. Paul, he singled out his own guilt as exceptional, and thought of himself as "the chief of sinners" (<a href="/1_timothy/1-15.htm" title="This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.">1Timothy 1:15</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 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! Utterly sad and heart-broken, the publican neither recounts nor thinks of good kind deeds done, or special sins committed; no thoughts came into that poor heart, such as, "I have done some fair deeds; I am not altogether vile and sinful." He felt that with him evil so far overbalanced good that he could make no plea for himself, and yet he, too, longed for salvation, so he threw himself wholly upon God's mercy and love in his sad prayer, "God be merciful to me the sinner!" for so the words should be rendered. Different to the Pharisee, who thought himself better than his neighbours, this man, in his sad humility, evidently thought other men better than himself, but still he so trusted in God that he felt even for him, the sinner, there might be mercy. <a href="/commentaries/luke/18-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. tax collector τελώνης (telōnēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5057.htm">Strong's 5057: </a> A publican, collector of taxes. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, i.e. Collector of public revenue. stood ἑστὼς (hestōs) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2476.htm">Strong's 2476: </a> A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications. at a distance, μακρόθεν (makrothen) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3113.htm">Strong's 3113: </a> From a (long) distance, afar. Adverb from makros; from a distance or afar. unwilling even ἤθελεν (ēthelen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to lift up ἐπᾶραι (eparai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1869.htm">Strong's 1869: </a> To raise, lift up. From epi and airo; to raise up. [his] τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. eyes ὀφθαλμοὺς (ophthalmous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3788.htm">Strong's 3788: </a> The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. heaven. οὐρανόν (ouranon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. Instead, ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. he beat ἔτυπτεν (etypten) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5180.htm">Strong's 5180: </a> To beat, strike, wound, inflict punishment. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. breast στῆθος (stēthos) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4738.htm">Strong's 4738: </a> The breast, chest. From histemi; the bosom, i.e. Chest. [and] said, λέγων (legōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ‘God, Θεός (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. have mercy ἱλάσθητί (hilasthēti) Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2433.htm">Strong's 2433: </a> (a) To have mercy on, show favor to, (b) trans. with object of sins: To forgive, pardon. on me, μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. a τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sinner!? ἁμαρτωλῷ (hamartōlō) Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/18-13.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 18:13 But the tax collector standing far away (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/18-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 18:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 18:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/18-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 18:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 18:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>