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1
The Posture of Repentance
Commentators explain that the tax collector's posture reveals his inner state. Standing "afar off," with downcast eyes and beating his chest, were not prescribed rituals but outward signs of profound humility, shame, and grief over his sin. He felt unworthy to even approach God or look toward heaven, demonstrating a genuine awareness of his spiritual poverty.
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Luke
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Commentaries
16
Albert Barnes
On Luke 18:13
18th Century
Theologian
Standing afar off. Far off from the temple. The place where prayer was offered in the temple was the court of women. The Pharisee…
AT Robertson
On Luke 18:13
Standing afar off (μακροθεν εστως). Second perfect active participle of ιστημ, intransitive like σταθεις above. But no ostentation…
Charles Ellicott
On Luke 18:13
19th Century
Bishop
The publican, standing afar off.—The words point to a sense of shame that kept the publican away from the crowd of worshi…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Luke 18:13
19th Century
Preacher
Would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
That was all p…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Luke 18:13
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 …
John Calvin
On Luke 18:13
16th Century
Theologian
The publican standing at a distance.
Here Christ did not intend to lay down a general rule, as if it were necessary, whenever we pr…
John Gill
On Luke 18:13
17th Century
Pastor
And the publican standing afar off
Not at the outermost porch, or at the door; for "a man might not fix his place at…
Matthew Henry
On Luke 18:9–14
17th Century
Minister
This parable was to convince some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. God sees with what disposition and design…