John Calvin 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 publican standing at a distance.

Here Christ did not intend to lay down a general rule, as if it were necessary, whenever we pray, to cast our eyes to the ground. He merely describes the signs of humility, which he specifically recommends to his disciples.

Now, humility consists in not refusing to acknowledge our sins, but in condemning ourselves and thus anticipating God's judgment. It also involves making an honest confession of guilt in order to be reconciled to God.

This is also the cause of the shame that always accompanies repentance. For Christ primarily emphasizes this point: that the publican sincerely acknowledged himself to be miserable and lost, and fled to God's mercy.

Although he is a sinner, he trusts in a free pardon and hopes that God will be gracious to him. In short, to obtain favor, he admits that he does not deserve it.

And certainly, since it is the forgiveness of sins alone that reconciles God to us,³³² we must begin with this if we desire him to accept our prayers. The one who acknowledges that he is guilty and convicted, and then proceeds to implore pardon, disavows all confidence in works. Christ’s object was to show that God will not be gracious to anyone except those who turn with trembling to his mercy alone.³³³

³³² “Qui nous rende agreables a Dieu;” — “which renders us acceptable to God.”;” — “which renders us acceptable to God.”

³³³ “Qui tremblans a cause d’un vray sentiment de leur pechez, recourront a sa seule misericorde;” —”who, trembling on account of a true conviction of their sins, shall have recourse to his mercy alone.”;” —”who, trembling on account of a true conviction of their sins, shall have recourse to his mercy alone.”