Key Verse Spotlight
Luke 18:13 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" 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!’ "
Luke 18:13
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed by himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men: extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 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!’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
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Luke 18:1
"He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,"
Luke 18:2
"saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God and didn’t respect man."
Luke 18:3
"A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’"
Luke 18:4
"He wouldn’t for a while; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,"
Luke 18:5
"yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”"
Luke 18:6
"The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says."
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