Luke 18:11

“The Pharisee stood, etc.] Standing was a praying posture; (see Gill on “<400605>Matthew 6:5”) nor is this observed, as if it was something amiss: but the sense is, either that he stood in some place of eminence, that he might be seen of others; or he stood in a set, fixed posture, in a very grave and solemn manner, showing great devotion and seriousness; or he stood with great boldness and confidence: and prayed thus with himself; the phrase, “with himself”, may be read either with the word “stood”, as it is in the Syriac version; and then the sense is that he stood alone, apart from the publican, at a distance from him, as despising him; and lest he should be polluted by him; (see…”

“PARABLE OF THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN. (Luk 18:9-14) stood--as the Jews in prayer (Mar 11:25). God, &c.--To have been kept from gross iniquities was undoubtedly a just cause of thankfulness to God; but instead of the devoutly humble, admiring frame which this should inspire, the Pharisee arrogantly severs himself from the rest of mankind, as quite above them, and, with a contemptuous look at the poor publican, thanks God that he has not to stand afar off like him, to hang down his head like a bulrush and beat his breast like him. But these are only his moral excellencies. His religious merits complete his grounds for congratulation. Not confining himself to the one divinely prescribed…”

“Stood and prayed thus with himself - Some have proposed to render this, “stood by himself” and prayed. In this way it would be characteristic of the sect of the Pharisees, who dreaded the contact of others as polluting, and who were disposed to say to all, Stand by yourselves. The Syraic so renders it, but it is doubtful whether the Greek will allow this construction. If not, it means, he said over to himself what he had done, and what was the ground on which he expected the favour of God. God, I thank thee - There was still in the prayer of the Pharisee an “appearance” of real religion. He did not profess to claim that he had made himself better than others. He was willing to acknowledge…”

“stood: Psa 134:1, Psa 135:2; Mat 6:5; Mar 11:25 God: Isa 1:15, Isa 58:2; Jer 2:28, Jer 2:35; Eze 33:31; Mic 3:11; Co1 4:7, Co1 4:8, Co1 15:9, Co1 15:10; Ti1 1:12-16; Rev 3:17 as: Luk 20:47; Isa 65:5; Mat 3:7-10, Mat 19:18-20; Gal 3:10; Phi 3:6; Jam 2:9-12 Luke 18:12”