Luk 18:13 | NET2full | STEP | The tax collector , however , stood far off and would not even look up to heaven , but beat his breast and said , ‘ God , be merciful to me , sinner that I am!’

‏ Luke 18:13

13 The tax collector, however, stood ^{▼▼tn Grk “standing”; the Greek participle has been translated as a finite verb.} far off and would not even look up ^{▼▼tn Grk “even lift up his eyes” (an idiom).} to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful ^{▼▼tn The prayer is a humble call for forgiveness. The term for mercy (ἱλάσκομαι, hilaskomai) is associated with the concept of a request for atonement (BDAG 473-74 s.v. 1; Pss 51:1, 3; 25:11; 34:6, 18).} to me, sinner that I am!’ ^{▼▼tn Grk “the sinner.” The tax collector views himself not just as any sinner but as the worst of all sinners. See ExSyn 222-23.}