What is the meaning of the term 'propitiation' in Scripture?

'Propitiation' is a significant term in understanding the atoning work of Jesus Christ in relation to God's justice and mercy. In the parable, the publican's plea for God to be 'propitious' is a request for God's mercy to remove his sin, acknowledging his inability to do so himself. This concept is foundational to the gospel, as it reveals how Christ's death satisfies divine justice while allowing God to be merciful to sinners. 1 John 2:2 and Romans 3:25 affirm that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, ensuring that God's righteous demands of the law are fulfilled through His sacrifice.