Luke 18:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Instead, he lowered himself, prayed fervently, declaring: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." It was through this act of humility that the Publican was deemed righteous. The Pharisee exited the temple having lost his righteousness, while the Publican walked away justified. One lost righteousness through prideful works, while the other found righteousness through the humble cry of repentance. However, we must clarify that what the Publican expressed was not mere humility; true humility is demonstrated when a person of significance chooses to lower themselves. The Publican's confession was a reflection of his reality; his words were truthful, as he acknowledged his sinfulness. Indeed, consider, what sin is graver than that of the Publican? He exploits the misfortunes of others, reaping the rewards of their labor without any consideration for the toil put in. His transgressions are rooted in profound greed and predation. The Publican represents a legalized form of wrongdoing, driven by desires unrestrained. If such a sinner as he can receive a generous gift because of his humility, how much more should the virtuous and humble person be rewarded? Therefore, if you confess your transgressions and embody humility, you will find justification.

There are many who, in their prayers, express countless petitions, asking for physical health, increased wealth, or vengeance against adversaries. Such requests are quite unreasonable. Hence, it is essential that we abandon these desires and instead pray following the example of the tax collector, who pleaded: "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner." For the Lord knows how to assist us: "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). Therefore, beloved, if we approach prayer with earnestness and humility, striking our chests like the Publican, we shall receive what we request. Conversely, if we pray with anger or irritation, we become detestable to God. Let us humble our hearts and our souls and pray not only for ourselves but also for those who have wronged us. If we wish to gain the Judge's support for our souls, let us refrain from complaining about those who have hurt us. The Judge listens and grants the petitions of those who pray for their adversaries, who harbor no resentment, and do not rebel against those who offend them. To the degree that they embody these principles, God will respond to their enemies, unless those foes find repentance.

Let us be fervent in prayer; it is a powerful weapon when practiced sincerely and without vanity. Prayer has driven away foes and brought favor even to an unworthy people: "I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their cry...,” says the Lord, "and I have come to deliver them..." (Exodus 3:7, 8). Prayer serves as a healing balm for our sins and a remedy for our offenses, as illustrated by the widow who had been abandoned by all. Thus, if we pray with humility—beating our breasts like the Publican, echoing his words: "God, be merciful to me a sinner"—we will receive everything we seek. Admittedly, we are not Publicans, but we possess sins not any less significant than his. Do not claim your faults are minor; all sins hold the same weight in God's eyes. Just as a murderer is recognized in both the killing of a child and in slaying an adult, so too is greed condemned equally regardless of magnitude. The sin of resentment is grave: "the paths of the vengeful lead to death" (Proverbs 12:28). Christ warned that "everyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be accountable to judgment..." (Matthew 5:22). If we partake of the sacred mystery unworthily, harbor envy, speak ill of others, or indulge in sinful pleasures, each of these transgressions can cost us the Kingdom of Heaven. United, they offer us no excuse. Indeed, beloved, we have much to repent, much to pray for, and much endurance to exhibit to receive the promised grace. Let us proclaim: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner!" Not only should we vocalize this sentiment, but we must genuinely believe it; if others point out our faults, let us remain untroubled. The Publican, upon hearing: "not like this Publican" (Luke 18:11), received it without annoyance and came seeking healing. He accepted the criticism but refrained from returning it. In recognizing his wound, he discovered his remedy. When we declare, “Be merciful to me, a sinner!” let us not be angered when others say the same to us. If we are aware of our shortcomings but grow enraged when others highlight them, this is no true humility or confession; rather, it is ambition and vanity. You claim that identifying as a sinner is egotism? Yes; claiming such can serve the dual purpose of earning us a reputation for humility, creating a spectacle, rather than reflecting genuine self-assessment. Conversely, should we criticize ourselves, we may merit scorn. Ultimately, what constitutes humility? It is the capacity to endure reproach from others while recognizing our own sins and bearing ill words with grace. However, this behavior signals not merely humility but astuteness. Presently, while we label ourselves sinful and unworthy, we easily become irritable when similar sentiments are directed our way. This reaction reveals a lack of true repentance or wisdom regarding our condition. You call yourself a sinner; do not react negatively when others echo that sentiment. When they reproach you, they shine a light on your own faults, burdening themselves and guiding you toward insight. Recall what the blessed David said in reply to his family’s curses: “Leave him alone; let him revile, for the Lord has commanded him; perhaps the Lord will notice my affliction and return goodness for the wrongs he speaks against me” (2 Samuel 16:11, 12). Yet, you, who proclaim your own faults loudly, become indignant if others fail to commend you like the righteous. Do you not see the absurdity in your actions? You reject gratitude for it seeks lesser praise, aiming ultimately for greater recognition. Thus, when we refuse appreciation, it is often for the sake of magnifying future accolades; all that we do springs from vanity rather than truth. Consequently, we find ourselves empty and misguided. I urge you to forsake the source of this evil—vanity—and strive for a righteous life so that we may enjoy the eternal blessings offered in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Publican cries out for mercy as one already condemned. Have you not read, "You shall not mock a man in the anguish of his soul" (Sirach 7:11)? He is engulfed in grief, surrounded by dark thoughts rather than numerous accusers; the torment of his conscience compels him to beat his breast, becoming an executioner of his own soul. Does his suffering not touch your heart? Does the sight of this man who cannot even lift his gaze to heaven not awaken your compassion? When he was a tax collector, you might have found a reason to criticize him, causing him shame not only in your presence but before all men. Yet now, in his awareness of his sins, having recognized the wounds of his soul, he seeks the Healer who offers restoration without cost. Reflect on this, O Pharisee, should you still attempt to humiliate him now, saying "not like this Publican." What of the other tax collectors who have yet to embrace the sweet sound of repentance? If you long to accuse sinners, point your tongue at those still ensnared in their own selfishness. Your animosity toward him is unnecessary and born of vanity. In fact, your derision may further prompt the Lord to extend His forgiveness to him. The scripture states, "the Publican standing far off would not even lift his eyes to heaven" (Luke 18:13). He dared not gaze upward due to the overwhelming weight of his transgressions. A multitude of vices struggled within him: an insatiable desire for wealth, a boundless love of injustice, relentless thievery; the tax collector represented mankind's age-old failures, a legal transgressor, a predatory figure without shame, stealing from others, a ruthless thief, and a beast disguised as a man. Bearing these burdens, he approached the temple, overtaken by the enormity of his sins. Finally, in desperation, he searched for relief but found none until he recalled the Lord's invitation to sinners: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Remembering these words, he hurried to God’s temple, crushed under the weight of his sins, and he fell on his face, beseeching the Master: "Be merciful to me a sinner!" My deeds are all evils, my iniquities exceed the sand of the sea and the hairs on my head. I am fully aware of the calls for judgment from those I have wronged; I know that the books will be opened before Your throne to account for every cry of distress. No injustice escapes Your all-seeing gaze; the moment of reckoning has arrived, and there is no path to escape. I tremble to look to heaven, and hesitate to gaze upon the earth, which bears witness to my sins. Even creation itself condemns me. Therefore, seeking refuge in You, Lord of all, my cry for help is: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner!" My transgressions are vast, yet what are they in comparison to the depth of Your mercy? Salvation is impossible for humankind, but with You, O Lord, all things are attainable. Surely, had You descended to earth solely for the righteous, I would be here in vain, having rejected my previous ways. But if, by Your grace, You regard even sinners, do not turn away from my dim hope in You, but heal this shattered heart and revive me—one dead in sin. You reached out to the sinful woman, cleansing her from her unrighteousness; You reached out to the woman suffering from hemorrhage and restored her health; You offered eternal life to the paralyzed man, bringing him back from despair; you restored sight to the blind man, illuminating his life and showing him the beauty of Your creation. When You encountered the grieving man, devastated by the death of his child, You were quick to comfort him, commanding life to return where death had prevailed. When the Canaanite woman appealed to You for mercy, seeing her daughter tormented, she was not disappointed; through her faith, You cast out the unclean spirit, healing the girl and calming her mother's sorrow. You fed the multitudes in the wilderness with meager provisions. I hunger for the sustenance of truth and ask for a mere crumb of Your mercy; extend Your kindness toward me, a wretched soul. My spirit is broken and despondent like one unclean, weighed down by guilt like the bleeding woman, condemned under the Law. Unlike even a lifeless body, I am in a worse state than the burdens of sin I carry; I suffer internally, blinded by my iniquities, dead in my countless falls. My situation encompasses the plight of those whom You have graciously pardoned, where each calamity weighs heavy upon me. But You are merciful to all; have mercy on me too: "O God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

It is noted that the publican "stood afar off"; unlike the Pharisee, who was described as "standing," this highlights that he remained standing for an extended period, underscoring both the duration of his prayer and the words of supplication: he focused solely on himself and God, repeatedly uttering this brief yet profoundly impactful plea, the most beneficial form of prayer. Thus, from a distance, the publican felt he could not even raise his eyes to heaven. His posture represented patience and submission, not just as a lowly servant but also as one who feels condemned. It illustrated a soul liberated from sin, yet distanced from God, as it had not yet acquired the boldness to approach Him through righteous acts. However, there is hope that this soul will draw near to God, having abandoned its transgressions and cultivated a sincere spirit. And so, standing from a distance, the publican refrained from even lifting his gaze to heaven, indicating through his demeanor and appearance a profound self-condemnation: he viewed himself as unworthy of both the celestial realm and the earthly sanctuary. Consequently, he remained at the entrance, hesitant to look up at heaven, let alone lift his eyes to the Almighty. Yet, overwhelmed by great contrition, striking his chest and feeling deserving of his own reprimands, he lamented deeply with his head bowed low, identifying himself as a sinner and earnestly seeking mercy, crying out, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." He did this because he trusted in the One who proclaimed, "I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord: and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin" (Psalm 31:5).

What lies behind the petitions expressed in the phrases "have mercy" or "be merciful"? They reflect a person’s awareness of their sinful state; this acknowledgment brings forth an authentic feeling of mercy and sorrow regarding one’s condition, which the Lord commands us to experience, though few truly do. It signifies a renunciation of self-importance and a heartfelt appeal for divine mercy, as without it, the wayward have no hope for redemption. The mercy of God embodies the grace of the Holy Spirit, and we, as sinners, must consistently and persistently seek it from God.

O God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Every action he took—the place where he stood, the bowing of his head, the striking of his hands, and the words he uttered—expressed profound humility. Now, consider the conclusion of this parable.

In this parable, Christ illustrates that the tax collector left the temple with a lighter heart, freed somewhat from his sins, while the arrogant Pharisee, despite his smugness, was not justified and would face future humiliation.

Reflecting on this parable, we must examine our own hearts and admit that we often resemble the Pharisees whom Christ described. In our times of hardship, we may grumble, asking, “Why is God punishing me? What have I done to deserve this? I am not a killer, a thief, or a wrongdoer; I attend church regularly and participate in all major feasts. I adhere to my faith’s practices, give generously to the needy, and am active in my parish community; I am not like other people. Why do You punish me so, O Lord?” Is not anyone who voices such thoughts akin to the self-righteous Pharisee in Christ's narrative? We should feel remorse for this resemblance and earnestly echo the tax collector's prayer: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Each of us is a sinner, and we must be mindful that some may face stricter judgment for minor faults than others do for significant transgressions; to whom much is given, much will be expected.

123:1-2), but the tax collector, feeling deeply humbled, refrains from these gestures, opting to lower his gaze as a symbol of his sorrow and penitence. His prayer serves as a model of earnest and focused supplication, encapsulated in the plea for mercy: "Be merciful to me, a sinner, O God." He acknowledges himself as the foremost of sinners (cf. 1 Tim. 1:15), perceives no merit within himself, and seeks only one thing—to experience God's mercy, asking not to be held accountable for his shortcomings, but rather to receive forgiveness. In this notion of mercy is intertwined the essence of grace.