But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
13. The publican standing at a distance. Here Christ did not intend to lay down a general rule, as if it were necessary, whenever we pray, to cast down our eyes to the ground. He merely describes the tokens of humility, which alone he recommends to his disciples.
The scope of this parable likewise is prefixed to it, and we are told (Luk 18:9) who they were whom it was levelled at, and for whom it was calculated. He designed it for the conviction of some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. They were such as had, 1.
Commenting on Luke 18:9-14
And the publican standing afar off,.... Not at the outermost porch, or at the door: for "a man might not fix his place at the door of the synagogue, but, "he must go afar off", the space of two doors, and then pray (r);'' it may be in the court of the Gentiles, when the Pharisee was in the court of the Israelites; at least...