MPV Commentary

11-12. stood—praying as the Jews did (Mr 11:25).

God, I thank you that I am not like other people—To have been kept from gross iniquities was undoubtedly a just cause for gratitude to God; but instead of the devoutly humble and admiring frame this should inspire, the Pharisee arrogantly separates himself from the rest of mankind, as quite above them. He thanks God that he has not to stand afar off like the publican, to hang his head in shame or beat his breast in remorse. But these are only his moral excellencies. His religious merits complete his grounds for congratulation. Not confining himself to the one divinely prescribed annual fast (Le 16:29), he was not behind the most rigid, who fasted on the second and fifth days of every week [Lightfoot], and gave a tenth not only of what the law laid under tithing, but of all his gains. Thus, besides doing all his duty, he did works of supererogation; while sins to confess and spiritual wants to be supplied he seems to have felt none. What a picture of the Pharisaic character and religion!

13. standing afar off—as unworthy to draw near; but that was the way to get near (Ps 34:18; Isa 57:15).

would not lift up—blushing and ashamed to do so (Ezr 9:6).

smote, &c.—kept smiting; for anguish (Lu 23:48), and self-reproach (Jer 31:19).

be merciful—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 be some allusion to this here, though not likely.

a sinner—literally, "the sinner"; that is, "If ever there was one, I am he."

14. rather than the other—the meaning is, "and not the other"; for the Pharisee was not seeking justification, and felt no need of it. This great law of the Kingdom of God is inscribed over its entrance gate: to be self-emptied or poor in spirit is the fundamental preparation for receiving the grace that brings salvation. Wherever this exists, the preceding mourning and earnest hungerings after righteousness will surely follow, rewarded by the fullness of it. Such, therefore, and such only, are the justified ones (Job 33:27, 28; Ps 34:18; Isa 57:15).