Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 18:13

"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." — Luke 18:13 (ASV)

The description speaks for itself. The tax collector (see comment on Mk 2:14) was one of the social outcasts so prominent in Luke as recipients of God’s grace (e.g., 5:12, 27; 7:34, 37; 15:1–2; 16:20). Contrary to what people in Jesus’ day would expect, he received immediate justification, granted by God in contrast to the self-justification that the Pharisee was futilely caught up in. Verse 14b states the principle that is further illustrated in vv.15–17.