Luk 18:13 | NETfull | 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 ^{▼▼ Grk “standing”; the Greek participle has been translated as a finite verb.} far off and would not even look up ^{▼▼ Grk “even lift up his eyes” (an idiom).} to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful ^{▼▼ 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; Ps 51:1, 3; 25:11; 34:6, 18).} to me, sinner that I am!’ ^{▼▼ Grk “the sinner.” The tax collector views himself not just as any sinner but as the worst of all sinners. See ExSyn 222–23.}