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Luke 18:13

RepentanceHumilityPrayer

11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’

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!’

14 I 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.”

15 Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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!’
KJV
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.
WEB
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
ASV
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.
DARBY
And the tax-gatherer, standing afar off, would not lift up even his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, O God, have compassion on me, the sinner.
BLB
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!’
ÅB
Og tolleren sto langt borte og ville ikke engang løfte sine øyne mot himmelen, men slo seg for sitt bryst og sa: Gud! vær meg synder nådig!
OTB
Men tolleren sto langt unna. Han ville ikke engang løfte øynene mot himmelen, men slo seg for brystet og sa: ‘Gud, vær meg nådig, en synder.’
B1930
Og tolderen stod langt borte og vilde ikke engang løfte sine øine mot himmelen, men slo sig for sitt bryst og sa: Gud! vær mig synder nådig!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 John 1:8–10

    If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

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  • Ezra 9:6

    and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.

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  • Psalms 41:4

    I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.”

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  • 1 Timothy 1:15

    This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.

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  • Hebrews 8:12

    For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

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  • Luke 7:6–7

    So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.

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  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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  • Luke 23:48

    And when all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts.

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