Luke 18:13
New International Version
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

New Living Translation
“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.’

English Standard Version
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!’

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
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!'

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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!’

New American Standard Bible
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!’

NASB 1995
“But the tax collector, 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!’

NASB 1977
“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!’

Legacy Standard Bible
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!’

Amplified Bible
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]!’

Christian Standard Bible
“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! ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“But 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!’

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
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."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"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!'

Good News Translation
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!'

International Standard Version
"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!'

Majority Standard Bible
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!’

NET Bible
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!'

New Heart English Bible
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.'

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
"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.'

World English Bible
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!’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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!

Berean Literal Bible
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!'

Young's Literal Translation
'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!

Smith's Literal Translation
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.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.’

New American Bible
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.’

New Revised Standard Version
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!’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“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.' “
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
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.

Godbey New Testament
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.

Haweis New Testament
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!

Mace New Testament
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.

Weymouth New Testament
"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.'

Worrell New Testament
"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!'

Worsley New Testament
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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Pharisee and Tax Collector
12I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ 13But 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!’ 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.”…

Cross References
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Isaiah 57:15
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.

Isaiah 66:2
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.

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 21:31
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.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Mark 2:17
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.”

Luke 5:32
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Luke 15:18-19
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.”’

Luke 15:21
The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 7:24
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Luke 7:6,7
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: …

Luke 17:12
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

but.

Luke 23:48
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

Jeremiah 31:18,19
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…

2 Corinthians 7:11
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.

Psalm 25:7,11
Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD…

Psalm 41:4
I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

Psalm 51:1-3
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.

Luke 15:18-21
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, …

Luke 23:40-43
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? …

2 Chronicles 33:12,13,19,23
And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, …

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Afar Beat Beating Breast Collector Compassion Eyes Far Hand Heaven Keeping Kept Lift Merciful Publican Signs Sinner Smote Standing Stood Tax Tax-Farmer Tax-Gatherer Wouldn't
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Luke 18
1. Of the importunate widow.
9. Of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
15. Of Children brought to Jesus.
18. A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches.
28. The reward of those who leave all for his sake.
31. He foretells his death;
35. and restores a blind man to sight.














But the tax collector
The phrase introduces a character who, in the context of first-century Judea, was often despised and considered a sinner. Tax collectors were Jews who collected taxes for the Roman occupiers, often seen as traitors and extortionists. The Greek word for "tax collector" is "τελώνης" (telōnēs), which highlights the societal disdain for these individuals. This sets the stage for a powerful contrast with the Pharisee in the preceding verse, emphasizing humility and repentance over self-righteousness.

stood at a distance
This phrase indicates the tax collector's awareness of his unworthiness and his humility before God. The Greek word "μακρόθεν" (makrothen) suggests a physical and spiritual separation, symbolizing his recognition of sin and the barrier it creates between him and God. This posture of humility is crucial in understanding the heart attitude that God desires.

would not even look up to heaven
The act of not looking up signifies deep shame and contrition. In Jewish culture, looking up to heaven was a common posture of prayer, symbolizing openness and communion with God. The tax collector's refusal to do so underscores his profound sense of unworthiness and repentance. This humility is a stark contrast to the Pharisee's prideful demeanor.

but beat his breast
This action is a physical manifestation of the tax collector's inner turmoil and repentance. In the cultural context, beating one's breast was a sign of extreme sorrow and contrition, often associated with mourning. The Greek word "τύπτω" (typtō) conveys a sense of repeated action, indicating the depth of his remorse. This gesture highlights the sincerity of his repentance.

and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner!'
The plea for mercy is central to the tax collector's prayer. The Greek word "ἱλάσθητί" (hilastheti) is a plea for atonement and propitiation, acknowledging his need for God's grace. By identifying himself as "a sinner," the tax collector confesses his sinfulness and dependence on God's mercy. This confession aligns with the biblical principle that true repentance involves recognizing one's sin and turning to God for forgiveness. The simplicity and sincerity of his prayer contrast with the Pharisee's self-righteousness, illustrating the heart attitude that God honors.

(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 (Luke 23:48). 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" (1Timothy 1:15).

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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
(Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: 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
Strong's 5057: 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
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

at a distance,
μακρόθεν (makrothen)
Adverb
Strong's 3113: From a (long) distance, afar. Adverb from makros; from a distance or afar.

unwilling even
ἤθελεν (ēthelen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to lift up
ἐπᾶραι (eparai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1869: To raise, lift up. From epi and airo; to raise up.

[his]
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: 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
Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

heaven.
οὐρανόν (ouranon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

Instead,
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

he beat
ἔτυπτεν (etypten)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5180: To beat, strike, wound, inflict punishment.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: 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
Strong's 4738: The breast, chest. From histemi; the bosom, i.e. Chest.

[and] said,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (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
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

have mercy
ἱλάσθητί (hilasthēti)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2433: (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
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

a
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: 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
Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.


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NT Gospels: Luke 18:13 But the tax collector standing far away (Luke Lu Lk)
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