Luke 18:13 (WEB)
But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Catechism · 5
Prayer in the Christian Life
“He who humbles himself will be exalted;” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 18:9-14.
In the Fullness of Time
“…and with the patience of faith. "and yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" - the third parable, "the Pharisee and the tax collector,"” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 18:9-14.
In the Age of the Church
“The first movement of the prayer of petition is asking forgiveness, like the tax collector in the parable: "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"” — Catechism footnote: Lk 18:13.
The Way of Prayer
“It combines the Christological hymn of Philippians 2:6-11 with the cry of the publican and the blind men begging for light.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mk 10:46-52; Lk 18:13.
The Seven Petitions
“Now, in this new petition, we return to him like the prodigal son and, like the tax collector, recognize that we are sinners before him.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 15:11-32, 18:13.
Fathers and councils · 52
Origen
- Origen, Against Celsus III.64Book III
“…is manifest to those who are willing to peruse the Gospels in a spirit of fairness, by the parable of the publican, who said, “Be merciful to me a sinner,” and of the Pharisee who boasted with a certain wicked self-conceit in the words, “I thank Thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust,…” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
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Jerome
“He, standing afar off, did not dare to lift up his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,“God be merciful unto me a sinner.”” — editor's note: S. Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment“The publican’s prayers overcame God, although God is invincible.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 10–14.
Read the whole comment“The same conduct is in the Chronicles attributed to Manasseh, and in the book of the prophet Jonah to Nineveh, and in the gospel to the publican.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
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Catena Aurea on John
- Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
“(Luke 18:13) By that confession he obtained2 justification, as the blind man had his sight.” — the author cites it
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Wherefore God hears sinners; for if He do not hear sinners, the Publican said in vain, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner;” [Luke 18:13] and by that confession merited justification.” — the author cites it
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Augustine of Hippo
“He “beheld afar off” the Pharisee, who boasted himself; He was near at hand to succour the Publican, who made confession.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 9–14.
Read the whole comment“When then they acknowledge their ungodlinesses, and first copy that Publican, saying, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner:” show wounds, beseech Physician: and because they praise not themselves, but blame themselves,—“So that he that glorieth, not in himself but in the Lord may…” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment““Nevertheless, God shall break in pieces the heads of His enemies, the scalp of hair of men walking on in their transgressions” (ver. 21): that is, too much exalting themselves, being too proud in their transgressions: wherein at least they ought to be humble, saying, “O Lord, be Thou merciful to me a sinner.”” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment“Observe ye that a man hath put out of the way his own strength, and remained weak, needy, standing afar off, not daring even to raise his eyes to Heaven; but smiting his breast, and saying, “O Lord, merciful be Thou to me a sinner.”” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment“For the rich Pharisee boasted of his merits: the poor Publican confessed his sins.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 11–13.
Read the whole comment“But another dared not even raise his eyes, but beat upon his breast, saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment“For that publican, who would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, but “smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner,” was a sinner; but since he was not proud, and since God will render a recompense to the proud; the pit is being dug not for him, but for them that are such,…” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment““The righteous Lord shall hew the necks of the sinners” (ver. 4).…Which of us doth not fix his eyes upon the earth, like the Publican, and say, “Lord, be merciful unto me a sinner”?” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment“The one was a law of fear, the other is a law of love.” — editor's note: [Note (Greek) Luke xviii. 13.—C.]
Read the whole comment“But there follows the divine judgment, “Verily I say unto you, the Publican went down from the Temple justified more than that Pharisee.”” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 11–14
Read the whole comment“Let him hear this, laboring and laden, who is weighed down by his burthen, so as not to dare to lift up his eyes to heaven, that sinner beating his breast, and drawing near from afar.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13
Read the whole comment“I know the dignity of thy virginity; I propose not to thee to imitate the Publican humbly accusing his own faults; but I fear for the Pharisee proudly boasting of his own merits.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 10–14
Read the whole comment“Whereas he who said, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner,” knew wherefore he went up.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment““But the Publican stood afar off;” and yet he was in deed near to God.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment“For behold the publican went up with the Pharisee to pray, and with face cast down upon the ground, standing afar off, beating his breast, he said, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
Read the whole comment“And what saith the Lord?” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
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John Chrysostom
“If then we pray with humility, smiting our breast as the publican, if we utter what he did, if we say, “Be merciful to me a sinner” ( Luke xviii. 13 ), we shall obtain all.” — the author cites it
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Tertullian
“For that publican who prayed with humility and dejection not merely in his supplication, but in his countenance too, went his way “more justified” than the shameless Pharisee.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 9–14.
Read the whole comment“…feelings—the Pharisee in pride, the publican in humility—and shows us how they accordingly went down to their homes, one rejected, the other justified, He surely, by thus teaching us the proper discipline of prayer, has determined that that God must be prayed to from whom men were to receive this discipline of…” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 10–14.
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Ambrose of Milan
“Was it not this that exalted the publican, and commended him, when he dared not raise even his eyes to heaven?” — editor's note: S. Luke xviii. 13, 14.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“I say unto you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the Pharisee: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and whosoever humbleth himself shall be exalted.”” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 10–14.
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Gregory of Nazianzus
“…of the Ninevites upon which God had mercy; who utters the words of the Publican in the Temple, and is justified rather than the stiff-necked Pharisee; who like the Canaanite woman bends down and asks for mercy and crumbs, the food of a dog that is very hungry.” — editor's note: Luke xviii. 13.
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Since faith is not a gift of the proud but of the humble, our Lord proceeds to add a parable concerning humility and against pride.
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Pride also beyond all other passions disturbs the mind of man. And hence the very frequent warnings against it. It is moreover a contempt of God; for when a man ascribes the good he doth to himself and not to God,…
Read the whole comment - A Greek expositorCatena Aurea on Luke
To be diligent in prayer was the lesson taught by our Lord in the parable of the widow and the judge, He now instructs us how we should direct our prayers to Him, in order that our prayers may not be fruitless. The…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
It is said “standing,” to denote his haughty temper. For his very posture betokens his extreme pride.
Read the whole comment - Basil the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
“He prayed with himself,” that is, not with God, his sin of pride sent him back into himself. It follows, God, I thank thee.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
His fault was not that he gave God thanks, but that he asked for nothing further. Because thou art full and aboundest, thou hast no need to say, Forgive us our debts. What then must be his guilt who impiously fights…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Observe the order of the Pharisee’s prayer. He first speaks of that which he had not, and then of that which he had. As it follows, That I am not as other men are.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
He might at least have said, “as many men;” for what does he mean by “other men,” but all besides himself? “I am righteous, he says, the rest are sinners.”
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
There are different shapes in which the pride of self-confident men presents itself; when they imagine that either the good in them is of themselves; or when believing it is given them from above, that they have…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
See how he derives from the Publican near him a fresh occasion for pride. It follows, Or even as this Publican; as if he says, “I stand alone, he is one of the others.”
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
To despise the whole race of man was not enough for him; he must yet attack the Publican. He would have sinned, yet far less if he had spared the Publican, but now in one word he both assails the absent, and inflicts…
Read the whole comment - Basil the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
The difference between the proud man and the scorner is in the outward form alone. The one is engaged in reviling others, the other in presumptuously extolling himself.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
He who rails at others does much harm both to himself and others. First, those who hear him are rendered worse, for if sinners they are made glad in finding one as guilty as themselves, if righteous, they are…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
It becomes us not only to shun evil, but also to do good; and so after having said, I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, he adds something by way of contrast, I fast twice in a week. They…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
So it was pride that laid bare to his wily enemies the citadel of his heart, which prayer and fasting had in vain kept closed. Of no use are all the other fortifications, as long as there is one place which the enemy…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
If you look into his words, you will find that he asked nothing of God. He goes up indeed to pray, but instead of asking God, praises himself, and even insults him that asked. The Publican, on the other hand, driven…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Although reported to have stood, the Publican yet differed from the Pharisee, both in his manner and his words, as well as in his having a contrite heart. For he feared to lift up his eyes to heaven, thinking…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
He heard the words, that I am not as the Publican. He was not angry, but pricked to the heart. The one uncovered the wound, the other seeks for its remedy. Let no one then ever put forth so cold an excuse as, I dare…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
Why then marvel ye, whether God pardons, since He himself acknowledges it. The Publican stood afar off, yet drew near to God. And the Lord was nigh unto him, and heard him, For the Lord is on high, yet hath he regard…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
This parable represents to us two chariots on the race course, each with two charioteers in it. In one of the chariots it places righteousness with pride, in the other sin and humility. You see the chariot of sin…
Read the whole comment - Basil the GreatCatena Aurea on Luke
In like manner it is possible to be honourably elated when your thoughts indeed are not lowly, but your mind by greatness of soul is lifted up towards virtue. This loftiness of mind is seen in a cheerfulness amidst…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
This inflation of pride can cast down even from heaven the man that taketh not warning, but humility can raise a man up from the lowest depth of guilt. The one saved the Publican before the Pharisee, and brought the…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
But should any one perchance marvel that the Pharisee for uttering a few words in his own praise is condemned, while Job, though he poured forth many, is crowned, I answer, that the Pharisee spoke these at the same…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
Typically, the Pharisee is the Jewish people, who boast of their ornaments because of the righteousness of the law; but the Publican is the Gentiles, who being at a distance from God confess their sins. Of whom the…
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Cross-references · 36
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 9:24–34 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Catechism §2559.
Cited together in Of Holy Virginity Chapter 38.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.
Cited together in Catechism §2631.
Cited together in Catechism §2631.
Cited together in Catechism §2631.
Cited together in Catechism §2631.
Cited together in Catechism §2631.
Cited together in Catechism §2631.
Cited together in Catechism §2631.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.
Cited together in Catechism §2559.
Cited together in John Chrysostom on Luke 18:9–14 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Catechism §2667.
Cited together in Catechism §2667.
Cited together in Catechism §2667.
Cited together in Catechism §2667.
Cited together in Catechism §2667.
Cited together in Catechism §2667.
Cited together in Catechism §2667.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.18.