Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
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—blushing and ashamed to do so (Ezra 9:6).
smote, etc.—kept smiting; for anguish (Luke 23:48), and self-reproach (Jeremiah 31:19).
be merciful—"be propitiated," a very unusual word in such a sense, only once else 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 not likely.
a sinner—literally, "the sinner"; that is, "If ever there was one, I am he."
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Luke 18:13:
Job 30:20
Psalms 40:12
Ezekiel 16:61
Luke 18:11-12
1 Corinthians 3:16
1 Timothy 1:15
Hebrews 2:17
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