Luke 18:13

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!’

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus concludes a parable by contrasting two men praying, focusing on a tax collector who stands apart while the Pharisee prays alone.

The words — μακρόθεν (makrothen) means "afar off," and ἑστὼς (hestōs) translates to "having stood." These terms describe the tax collector’s physical separation from the temple court.

The thread — The posture of distant shame and direct plea for mercy echoes Ezra 9:6, where Ezra confesses unworthiness to lift his face to God. This pattern of acknowledging sin and seeking grace also appears in 1 John 1:8 and Psalms 41:4.

Why it lands — The text demands a reader examine whether they approach God through self-justifying works or confessed need. It requires accepting that divine justification follows humility, not self-exaltation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Ezra 9:6 and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.
1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Psalms 41:4 I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.”
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
Hebrews 8:12 For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”
Luke 7:6 So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.
Luke 23:48 And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Psalms 25:11 For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, for it is great.
Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”