This One was Justified

The second man in Jesus' parable is the tax collector, kindly translated as publican. He is the opposite of the Pharisee. He stood afar off, would not lift his eyes, smote upon his breast. His actions are body language for self-incrimination, despair and helplessness. He had only one hope. That was, that God would deal with his sin by means of the promised propitiation. He typifies the Old Testament elect.