Luke 18:13

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τελώνης the publican G5057
τελώνης the publican
Strong's: G5057
Word #: 3 of 27
a tax-farmer, i.e., collector of public revenue
μακρόθεν afar off G3113
μακρόθεν afar off
Strong's: G3113
Word #: 4 of 27
from a distance or afar
ἑστὼς standing G2476
ἑστὼς standing
Strong's: G2476
Word #: 5 of 27
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 6 of 27
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἤθελεν would G2309
ἤθελεν would
Strong's: G2309
Word #: 7 of 27
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
οὐδὲ so much as G3761
οὐδὲ so much as
Strong's: G3761
Word #: 8 of 27
not however, i.e., neither, nor, not even
τοὺς G3588
τοὺς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμοὺς his eyes G3788
ὀφθαλμοὺς his eyes
Strong's: G3788
Word #: 10 of 27
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
εἰς unto G1519
εἰς unto
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 11 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανόν heaven G3772
οὐρανόν heaven
Strong's: G3772
Word #: 13 of 27
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἐπᾶραι lift up G1869
ἐπᾶραι lift up
Strong's: G1869
Word #: 14 of 27
to raise up (literally or figuratively)
ἀλλ' but G235
ἀλλ' but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 15 of 27
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἔτυπτεν smote G5180
ἔτυπτεν smote
Strong's: G5180
Word #: 16 of 27
to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic
εἰς unto G1519
εἰς unto
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 17 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ G3588
τὸ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 18 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στῆθος breast G4738
στῆθος breast
Strong's: G4738
Word #: 19 of 27
the (entire external) bosom, i.e., chest
αὐτοῦ G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's: G846
Word #: 20 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγων, saying G3004
λέγων, saying
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 21 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὁ G3588
Ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεός God G2316
θεός God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 23 of 27
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἱλάσθητί be merciful G2433
ἱλάσθητί be merciful
Strong's: G2433
Word #: 24 of 27
to conciliate, i.e., (transitively) to atone for (sin), or (intransitively) be propitious
μοι to me G3427
μοι to me
Strong's: G3427
Word #: 25 of 27
to me
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 26 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁμαρτωλῷ a sinner G268
ἁμαρτωλῷ a sinner
Strong's: G268
Word #: 27 of 27
sinful, i.e., a sinner

Analysis & Commentary

The tax collector's prayer exemplifies genuine repentance and saving faith through three elements: physical distance ('standing afar off'), acknowledging unworthiness (not lifting eyes to heaven), and honest confession (beating his breast). The Greek word 'hilaskomai' (be merciful) is the verb form of 'hilastērion' (propitiation/mercy seat), essentially praying 'be propitiated to me, the sinner.' The definite article before 'sinner' acknowledges he is THE sinner par excellence, recognizing his complete unworthiness. This prayer contrasts sharply with the Pharisee's self-righteous thanksgiving (18:11-12), demonstrating that justification comes through humble confession, not religious performance.

Historical Context

Tax collectors (publicans) were despised in Jewish society as collaborators with Rome who often extorted money beyond required taxes. That Jesus presents a tax collector rather than a Pharisee as the example of justifying faith would have shocked His audience and demonstrated God's grace to the most unlikely recipients.

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