Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:15-17
They brought unto him also infants - On these verses the reader is requested to consult the notes on Matthew 19:13 ; (note), Matthew 19:14 ; (note), and on Mark 10:16 ; (note). When a spiritual guide (a gooroo) visits his disciple, the latter takes his child to him for his blessing, forcing the head of the child down to the gooroo's feet, who gives what is called his blessing in some such words as these, Live long! - Be learned! - Be rich! read more
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:14
Went down to his house justified - His sin blotted out; and himself accepted. Rather than the other - Η εκεινος : that is, the other was not accepted, because he exalted himself - he made use of the mercies which he acknowledged he owed to God, to make claims on the Divine approbation, and to monopolize the salvation of the Most High! He was abased, because he vainly trusted that he was righteous, and depended on what he had been enabled to do, and looked not for a change of heart, nor... read more