Luke 18:13
What does Luke 18:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 18:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 18:13 means
In stark contrast to the Pharisee, the publican stood at a distance, recognizing his unworthiness. He would not even lift his eyes to heaven, a common posture of prayer, but instead, beat his breast in an act of deep contrition and sorrow for sin. His prayer was simple, direct, and profoundly honest: "God, be thou merciful to me a sinner." This expresses complete reliance on God's mercy rather than any personal merit, a profound example of humility.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The tax-farmer, on the other hand, keeping far away, and not lifting up even his eyes to heaven, made signs of grief and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And the tax-gatherer, having stood afar off, would not even the eyes lift up to the heaven, but was smiting on his breast, saying, God be propitious to me--the sinner!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the tax-gatherer, standing afar off, would not lift up even his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, OGod, have compassion on me, the sinner.
Context
This verse vividly portrays the publican's prayer, providing a direct and powerful contrast to the Pharisee's prayer described in verses 11-12. His posture, actions, and humble confession immediately highlight the core message of the parable regarding true repentance and humility. This creates the theological tension that Jesus will resolve in the following verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 64:5
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou wast wroth, and we sinned: in them have we been of long time; and shall we be saved?
- Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- Luke 23:48
And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they beheld the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts.
- Psalms 130:7
O Israel, hope in Jehovah; For with Jehovah there is lovingkindness, And with him is plenteous redemption.
- Isaiah 6:5
Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.
- Luke 7:6
And 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 come under my roof:
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