Luke 18:13

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

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.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

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

    Read in context
  • Ezra 9:6

    And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 41:4

    I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 1:15

    This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 8:12

    For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

    Read in context
  • Luke 7:6–7

    Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

    Read in context
  • Luke 23:48

    And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

    Read in context