Luke 18:13

“And the publican standing afar off, etc.] Not at the outermost porch, or at the door: for “a man might not fix his place at the door of the synagogue, but, qyjry, “he must go afar off”, the space of two doors, and then pray f593;” it may be in the court of the Gentiles, when the Pharisee was in the court of the Israelites; at least he was afar off from him: and indeed, those who came to humble themselves before the Lord, and confess their sins, were obliged to stand at the distance of four cubits one from another, that one might not hear the prayers and confessions of the other f594: and it might be, that this poor man might stand at a greater distance than was required, that he might not…”

“standing afar off--as unworthy to draw near; but that was the way to get near (Psa 34:18; Isa 57:15). would not lift up--blushing and ashamed to do so (Ezr 9:6). smote, &c.--kept smiting; for anguish (Luk 23:48), and self-reproach (Jer 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 (Heb 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."”

“Standing afar off - Afar off from the “temple.” The place where prayer was offered in the temple was the court of women. The Pharisee advanced to the side of the court nearest to the temple, or near as he could; the publican stood on the other side of the same court if he was a Jew, or in the court of the Gentiles if he was a pagan, as far as possible from the temple, being conscious of his unworthiness to approach the sacred place where God had his holy habitation. So much as his eyes ... - Conscious of his guilt. He felt that he was a sinner, and shame and sorrow prevented his looking up. Men who are conscious of guilt always fix their eyes on the ground. Smote upon his breast - An…”

“The publican standing afar off - From the holy of holies, would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven - Touched with shame, which is more ingenuous than fear. Luke 18:14”

“18:13 he beat his chest in sorrow: This action indicated deep mourning and repentance.”

“standing: Luk 5:8, Luk 7:6, Luk 7:7, Luk 17:12; Ezr 9:6; Job 42:6; Psa 40:12; Isa 6:5; Eze 16:63; Dan 9:7-9; Act 2:37 but: Luk 23:48; Jer 31:18, Jer 31:19; Co2 7:11 God: Psa 25:7, Psa 25:11, Psa 41:4, Psa 51:1-3, Psa 86:15, Psa 86:16, Psa 119:41, Psa 130:3, Psa 130:4, Psa 130:7; Dan 9:5, Dan 9:9-11; Dan 9:18, Dan 9:19; Heb 4:16, Heb 8:12 a sinner: Luk 15:18-21, Luk 23:40-43; Ch2 33:12, Ch2 33:13, Ch2 33:19, Ch2 33:23; Psa 106:6; Isa 1:18, Isa 64:5, Isa 64:6; Mat 9:13; Rom 5:8, Rom 5:20, Rom 5:21; Ti1 1:15; Jo1 1:8-10 Luke 18:14”