Lukas 5:8

5:8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, ¹  for I am a sinful man!” ² 

Lukas 15:18-19

15:18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned ³  against heaven ⁴  and against ⁵  you. 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me ⁶  like one of your hired workers.”’

Lukas 18:13

18:13 The tax collector, however, stood ⁷  far off and would not even look up ⁸  to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful ⁹  to me, sinner that I am!’ ¹⁰ 

[5:8]  ¹ sn Lord is a term of high respect in this context. God’s presence in the work of Jesus makes Peter recognize his authority. This vocative is common in Luke (20 times), but does not yet have its full confessional force.

[5:8]  ² sn Peter was intimidated that someone who was obviously working with divine backing was in his presence (“Go away from me”). He feared his sinfulness might lead to judgment, but Jesus would show him otherwise.

[15:18]  ³ sn In the confession “I have sinned” there is a recognition of wrong that pictures the penitent coming home and “being found.”

[15:18]  ⁴ sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God.

[15:18]  ⁵ tn According to BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνωπιον 4.a, “in relation to ἁμαρτάνειν ἐ. τινος sin against someone Lk 15:18, 21 (cf. Jdth 5:17; 1 Km 7:6; 20:1).”

[15:19]  ⁶ tn Or “make me.” Here is a sign of total humility.

[18:13]  ⁷ tn Grk “standing”; the Greek participle has been translated as a finite verb.

[18:13]  ⁸ tn Grk “even lift up his eyes” (an idiom).

[18:13]  ⁹ tn The prayer is a humble call for forgiveness. The term for mercy (ἱλάσκομαι, Jilaskomai) is associated with the concept of a request for atonement (BDAG 473-74 s.v. 1; Ps 51:1, 3; 25:11; 34:6, 18).

[18:13]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “the sinner.” The tax collector views himself not just as any sinner but as the worst of all sinners. See ExSyn 222-23.