Luke 18:13

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.

And the publican, standing afar off - as unworthy to draw near; but that was the way to get near (Psalms 34:18; Isaiah 57:15),

Would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven - "blushing and ashamed" to do so (Ezra 9:6),

But smote, [ etupte (G5180 ) rather, 'kept smiting'] upon his breast - for anguish (Luke 23:48) and self-reproach (Jeremiah 31:19),

Saying, God be merciful, [ hilastheeti (G2433)] - 'be propitiated' or 'propitious:' a very unusual word to occur here, and in only one other place used in the New Testament, in the sense of "making reconciliation" by sacrifice (Hebrews 2:17). There may therefore be some allusion to this here, though it can hardly be pressed.

To me a sinner, [ moi (G3427) too (G3588) hamartooloo (G268)] - literally 'to me the sinner;' as if he should say, 'If ever there was a sinner, I am he.'