Luke 18:13

standing afar off The word for standing is not statheis as in the case of the Pharisee, but merely hestos.It is not certain whether the "afar off" means -afar off from the Pharisee," or (as is more probable) afar off from the Holy Place to which the Pharisee would thrust himself, as of right, into closest proximity.

would not lift up so much as his eyes The Jew usually stood with arms outspread, the palms turned upwards, as though to receive the gifts of heaven, and the eyes raised. "Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes," Psalms 123:1-2 ;but on the other hand, "Mine iniquities have taken such hold upon me that I am not able to look up," Psalms 40:12; "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens," Ezra 9:6.

smote upon his breast For this custom of expressing grief, see Luke 23:48; Nahum 2:7; Jeremiah 31:19. "Pectus, conscientiae sedem," Bengel.

God be merciful to me a sinner] Rather, O God, be merciful to me the sinner. The word for -be merciful" means -be propitiated" as in Hebrews 2:17. He speaks of himself as the chief of sinners, 1 Timothy 1:15.