Parable of the Pharisee and Publican.

  12 I fast twice in the week [the law appointed one fast in the year, viz.: on the Day of Atonement ( Leviticus 16:29 Leviticus 16:30 ), but the Pharisees fasted on Mondays and Thursdays of each week]; I give tithes of all that I get. [I give the tenth part of my income. The law required that tithes be given from the corn, wine, oil, and cattle ( Deuteronomy 14:22 Deuteronomy 14:23 ), but the Pharisees took account of the humblest herbs of the garden, and gave a tenth of their mint, anise, and cummin ( Matthew 23:23 ). Thus he confessed his virtues rather than his sins.]

  13 But the publican, standing afar off [remote from the Holy Place], would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven [ Psalms 123:1 Psalms 123:2 ; 40:12 ; 9:6 ], but smote his breast [as if to remind himself of the stroke of God which he so richly deserved-- Nahum 2:7 ; Luke 23:48 ], saying, God be thou merciful to me a sinner. [He makes full confession of his sin without excuse or justification, and without offset of righteousness. Moreover, he petitions for no temporal blessings, but simply asks for mercy-- 1 Timothy 1:15 .]

  14 I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other [we are taught here, as in the parable of the prodigal son, that the penitent unrighteous are more acceptable to God than the righteous who make no confession of their sins]: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. [Luke xiv. 11, see Section 90. The Pharisee was an example of the first, and the publican of the second.]