Luke 18 · KJV
Aa

Luke 18

The parable of the persistent widow

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

To teach that people should always pray and not lose heart, Jesus tells of a judge who neither fears God nor respects people. A widow keeps coming to him demanding justice against her opponent, and he finally gives in just to stop her wearing him out. If even such a judge acts, Jesus says, God will surely give justice quickly to his chosen ones who cry to him; yet will the Son of Man find faith on earth when he comes?

What does this mean?

"Avenge me" (KJV) means "give me justice" or vindicate me in a legal case. "Weary me" translates a vivid Greek word that literally means "give me a black eye," used figuratively.

Historical context

Widows often had no male relative to argue their case and were among the most vulnerable in society; Israel's Law repeatedly commands their protection (Exodus 22:22–24; Deuteronomy 10:18).

Why does it matter?

Like the friend at midnight (11:5–8), this is an argument from lesser to greater: God is not like the unjust judge. The closing question shifts the focus from God's faithfulness to whether people will keep faith while they wait. Only Luke has this parable.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

The Pharisee and the tax collector

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

To some who are sure of their own righteousness and look down on others, Jesus tells of two men praying in the temple. A Pharisee thanks God that he is not like other people, such as this tax collector, and lists his fasting and tithing. The tax collector stands at a distance, beats his breast and asks God for mercy on him, a sinner. Jesus says it was the tax collector who went home justified.

What does this mean?

"Justified" means declared right with God. "Be merciful" translates a word connected with atonement, the removal of sin through sacrifice. Beating the breast was a sign of grief and remorse.

Historical context

People often prayed in the temple at the hours of the morning and afternoon sacrifices. The Law required only one annual fast, on the Day of Atonement; fasting twice a week and tithing everything went well beyond it.

Why does it matter?

By the standards of his day the Pharisee's devotion is real; the problem lies in his contempt for others. The closing principle repeats 14:11. Interpreters caution against reading the parable as a portrait of all Pharisees or of Judaism in general.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Jesus welcomes children

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

People bring even babies to Jesus for him to touch, but the disciples rebuke them. Jesus calls the children to him and says that God's kingdom belongs to such as these, and that whoever does not receive the kingdom like a little child will never enter it.

What does this mean?

"Infants" (KJV) translates a Greek word for babies. Receiving the kingdom "as a little child" is often understood as receiving it with trust and dependence, as a gift rather than an achievement.

Historical context

Parents commonly sought blessings for their children from respected elders and teachers. Children had no social standing or claims of their own.

Why does it matter?

Placed right after the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the scene continues the theme of humility: the kingdom is received, not earned. Here Luke rejoins the sequence of events he shares with Mark and Matthew, after a long stretch of material absent from Mark, much of it found only in his Gospel.

Editorial notes, not scripture.

The rich ruler

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

A ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. When the man says he has kept the commandments since his youth, Jesus tells him he lacks one thing: to sell everything, give to the poor and follow him. The man becomes very sad, because he is very rich. Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich person to enter God's kingdom, but what is impossible for people is possible with God, and he promises reward to those who have left everything.

What does this mean?

A "ruler" is a person of rank or authority, perhaps a leader in a local community or synagogue.

Historical context

The camel was the largest animal familiar in the region, so the image is deliberately absurd. The popular explanation that "the eye of a needle" was a small gate in Jerusalem has no ancient evidence behind it.

Why does it matter?

Jesus' reply "Why callest thou me good?" has been read in different ways: as an invitation to reflect on who Jesus is, or as deflecting praise to God. The scene contrasts with Zacchaeus, another rich man, who responds very differently (19:1–10).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Told in three Gospels

How Luke tells it

Only Luke calls the man a "ruler" (Matthew: young man; Mark: one who ran up). Luke says he was "very rich" and does not say he went away; Jesus speaks while seeing his sadness. Mark alone says Jesus loved him, and Matthew alone adds the promise of twelve thrones, which Luke places at the Last Supper (22:30).

Jesus foretells his death a third time

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Taking the Twelve aside, Jesus tells them that in Jerusalem everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will be fulfilled: he will be handed over to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat on, flogged and killed, and on the third day he will rise. They understand none of it.

What does this mean?

"Gentiles" means non-Jews, here the Roman authorities. To "scourge" is to flog with a whip.

Historical context

Roman flogging, often with whips weighted with pieces of bone or metal, commonly preceded crucifixion and could itself kill.

Why does it matter?

This is the most detailed of Jesus' predictions in Luke (9:22, 44). Luke stresses three times in one verse that the disciples did not understand; after the resurrection Jesus will explain how the Scriptures pointed to his suffering (24:25–27, 44–46).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

A blind man near Jericho

And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

As Jesus approaches Jericho, a blind man begging by the road hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing and shouts, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me!" Told to be quiet, he shouts all the more. Jesus asks what he wants, and he answers that he wants to see. Jesus tells him that his faith has healed him; he sees at once and follows Jesus, praising God, and all the people praise God too.

What does this mean?

"Son of David" is a messianic title, meaning the expected king from David's family.

Historical context

Jericho, an oasis town in the Jordan valley about 25 km north-east of Jerusalem, lay on the Jordan valley route that many pilgrims from Galilee took up to Jerusalem. Blind people often had no way to earn a living except by begging, and festival crowds made the road a good place to beg.

Why does it matter?

The man hails Jesus with a royal title just before Jesus enters Jerusalem as king (19:38). His sight contrasts with the disciples' blindness about Jesus' coming suffering (18:34).

Editorial notes, not scripture.

Told in three Gospels

How Luke tells it

Luke sets the healing as Jesus approaches Jericho, before the story of Zacchaeus there; Mark and Matthew place it as he leaves. Luke's blind man is unnamed (Mark: Bartimaeus) and alone (Matthew: two men). Only Luke adds that all the people who saw it praised God.

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

Chapters

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
  20. 20
  21. 21
  22. 22
  23. 23
  24. 24

Back to the Gospels

Reading

Translation

KJVTraditional biblical languageWEBContemporary English

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Appearance

Verse numbersSmall numerals within the text
About Luke