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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Luke 18, nestled towards the end of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:27), unveils crucial lessons about the kingdom of God, contrasting those who understand it with those who don't. This chapter, along with Luke 19 which includes the story of Zacchaeus and the parable of the ten minas, prepares us for Jesus' triumphal entry and Passion Week. Parallels can be found in Matthew 19-20 and Mark 10. Luke meticulously selects miracles, teachings, and events to equip His disciples for building the church after His ascension.
The Power of Persistent Prayer (Luke 18:1-8)
Jesus begins with a parable emphasizing the necessity of persistent prayer and unwavering faith. He tells of a widow, a vulnerable figure in that society, relentlessly seeking justice from a callous judge who "neither feared God nor respected man" (Luke 18:2). The judge, initially unwilling to help, eventually grants her request simply to be rid of her constant pestering (Luke 18:5).
Jesus then draws a powerful comparison: "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?" (Luke 18:7). If an unjust judge eventually yields to persistence, how much more will a just and loving God respond to the earnest prayers of His children? This parable isn't about manipulating God but about demonstrating unwavering faith and dependence on Him. The key to the widow's persistence was her legal right to justice. Likewise, believers have a legal right to answered prayer based on God’s Word.
However, Jesus ends with a poignant question: "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8). The issue isn’t God’s willingness to be just, but our willingness to persevere in prayer, trusting in His promises. The question challenges us to examine the depth of our own faith and commitment to prayer.
Humility vs. Arrogance (Luke 18:9-14)
Moving from persistent prayer to the proper posture of the heart, Jesus presents the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. These two men, representing contrasting social and religious positions, go to the temple to pray (Luke 18:10). Pharisees were seen as the epitome of orthodoxy and godliness, while tax collectors were viewed as vile sinners, often exploiting their own people for personal gain.
The Pharisee, standing proudly, boasts of his righteousness, meticulously listing his religious achievements: fasting, tithing, and avoiding sin. He even thanks God that he is "not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector" (Luke 18:11). He uses other people as his standard of righteousness.
In stark contrast, the tax collector, standing at a distance, "would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’" (Luke 18:13). He recognizes his sinfulness and throws himself upon God's mercy. God himself is the standard of righteousness, and the tax collector knew that he fell far short.
Jesus declares that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, "went down to his house justified" (Luke 18:14). This parable highlights the importance of humility before God. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. Grace is given to the humble, not the proud (James 4:6). It’s a surprising reversal, common in Jesus’ parables, underscoring that true righteousness comes not from self-righteousness, but from acknowledging our need for God's grace.
Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child (Luke 18:15-17)
The scene shifts as people bring infants to Jesus so He might touch and bless them (Luke 18:15). The disciples, perhaps thinking Jesus too busy, try to prevent them. But Jesus rebukes them, saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:16).
He adds, "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it" (Luke 18:17). Children come with nothing but their weakness, need, and dependency. This emphasizes the need for childlike faith – a humble, trusting, and dependent reliance on God. We must come to God through Jesus Christ, entirely dependent on him for both kingdom entry and kingdom blessing. This also underscores the importance of nurturing faith in children from a young age.
The Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-30)
A rich young ruler approaches Jesus, asking, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18). This encounter highlights the challenge of wealth and the cost of discipleship.
Jesus first challenges the man's use of "Good Teacher," reminding him that "No one is good except God alone" (Luke 18:19). He then tests the man's understanding of the Law, which the ruler claims to have kept since his youth (Luke 18:20-21).
Jesus then presents the ultimate test: "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). The man, deeply attached to his wealth, becomes "very sorrowful, for he was extremely rich" (Luke 18:23). His love for his wealth superseded his love for people.
Jesus uses this encounter to teach about the difficulty the wealthy face in entering the kingdom of God. "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:24-25). The disciples, astonished, ask, "Then who can be saved?" (Luke 18:26). The rich think that they are self-sufficient and that their wealth makes them acceptable before God.
Jesus responds, "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27). Salvation is ultimately a work of God's grace, not human effort. God can work in the hearts and minds of even the wealthy to humble them so that they look to him, rather than to their riches, as their source of eternal life.
Peter then asks about the reward for those who have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus promises that no sacrifice made for God's kingdom agenda goes unnoticed or unrewarded. Faithful kingdom disciples will be repaid, sometimes in history but ultimately in eternity (Luke 18:29-30).
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection (Luke 18:31-34)
As they approach Jerusalem, Jesus again foretells his suffering, death, and resurrection. He explains that "Everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished" (Luke 18:31). He would be handed over to the Gentiles (i.e., the Romans). They would mock him, spit on him, flog (beat) him, and kill him (Luke 18:32-33). Yet as unbelievable as this was, the last part was even more confusing: he would rise on the third day (Luke 18:33).
Despite Jesus' clear pronouncements, "they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said" (Luke 18:34). They couldn’t understand how the Messiah could be killed in Jerusalem—the place where he was to be enthroned. They would need the Holy Spirit to provide full spiritual clarity.
The Blind Man Receives Sight (Luke 18:35-43)
Near Jericho, a blind beggar hears the commotion of the passing crowd and learns that Jesus is near (Luke 18:35-37). Knowing this is his chance, he cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:38).
The crowd tries to silence him, but he persists, crying out even louder (Luke 18:39). He knew that if this man were the Messiah, he could transform his helpless situation. How desperate are you for Jesus to intervene in your circumstances?
Jesus stops and asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Luke 18:40-41). The blind man replies, "Lord, let me recover my sight" (Luke 18:41).
Jesus responds, "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well" (Luke 18:42). Immediately, the man receives his sight and follows Jesus, glorifying God. The people who witnessed it gave praise to God (Luke 18:43).
This miracle serves as a powerful spiritual lesson. The blind man's faith, his desperate cry for mercy, and his immediate response of following Jesus demonstrate true discipleship. If they would respond to the Messiah and acknowledge their spiritual blindness, God would grant them spiritual life and entrance into the kingdom that Jesus was offering. The blind man's physical sight is restored, but more importantly, his spiritual vision is opened, enabling him to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. The story challenges us to examine our own spiritual blindness and to cry out to Jesus for healing and enlightenment.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Luke 18, nestled towards the end of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:27), unveils crucial lessons about the kingdom of God, contrasting those who understand it with those who don't. This chapter, along with Luke 19 which includes the story of Zacchaeus and the parable of the ten minas, prepares us for Jesus' triumphal entry and Passion Week. Parallels can be found in Matthew 19-20 and Mark 10. Luke meticulously selects miracles, teachings, and events to equip His disciples for building the church after His ascension.
The Power of Persistent Prayer (Luke 18:1-8)
Jesus begins with a parable emphasizing the necessity of persistent prayer and unwavering faith. He tells of a widow, a vulnerable figure in that society, relentlessly seeking justice from a callous judge who "neither feared God nor respected man" (Luke 18:2). The judge, initially unwilling to help, eventually grants her request simply to be rid of her constant pestering (Luke 18:5).
Jesus then draws a powerful comparison: "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?" (Luke 18:7). If an unjust judge eventually yields to persistence, how much more will a just and loving God respond to the earnest prayers of His children? This parable isn't about manipulating God but about demonstrating unwavering faith and dependence on Him. The key to the widow's persistence was her legal right to justice. Likewise, believers have a legal right to answered prayer based on God’s Word.
However, Jesus ends with a poignant question: "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8). The issue isn’t God’s willingness to be just, but our willingness to persevere in prayer, trusting in His promises. The question challenges us to examine the depth of our own faith and commitment to prayer.
Humility vs. Arrogance (Luke 18:9-14)
Moving from persistent prayer to the proper posture of the heart, Jesus presents the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. These two men, representing contrasting social and religious positions, go to the temple to pray (Luke 18:10). Pharisees were seen as the epitome of orthodoxy and godliness, while tax collectors were viewed as vile sinners, often exploiting their own people for personal gain.
The Pharisee, standing proudly, boasts of his righteousness, meticulously listing his religious achievements: fasting, tithing, and avoiding sin. He even thanks God that he is "not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector" (Luke 18:11). He uses other people as his standard of righteousness.
In stark contrast, the tax collector, standing at a distance, "would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’" (Luke 18:13). He recognizes his sinfulness and throws himself upon God's mercy. God himself is the standard of righteousness, and the tax collector knew that he fell far short.
Jesus declares that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, "went down to his house justified" (Luke 18:14). This parable highlights the importance of humility before God. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. Grace is given to the humble, not the proud (James 4:6). It’s a surprising reversal, common in Jesus’ parables, underscoring that true righteousness comes not from self-righteousness, but from acknowledging our need for God's grace.
Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child (Luke 18:15-17)
The scene shifts as people bring infants to Jesus so He might touch and bless them (Luke 18:15). The disciples, perhaps thinking Jesus too busy, try to prevent them. But Jesus rebukes them, saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:16).
He adds, "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it" (Luke 18:17). Children come with nothing but their weakness, need, and dependency. This emphasizes the need for childlike faith – a humble, trusting, and dependent reliance on God. We must come to God through Jesus Christ, entirely dependent on him for both kingdom entry and kingdom blessing. This also underscores the importance of nurturing faith in children from a young age.
The Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-30)
A rich young ruler approaches Jesus, asking, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18). This encounter highlights the challenge of wealth and the cost of discipleship.
Jesus first challenges the man's use of "Good Teacher," reminding him that "No one is good except God alone" (Luke 18:19). He then tests the man's understanding of the Law, which the ruler claims to have kept since his youth (Luke 18:20-21).
Jesus then presents the ultimate test: "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). The man, deeply attached to his wealth, becomes "very sorrowful, for he was extremely rich" (Luke 18:23). His love for his wealth superseded his love for people.
Jesus uses this encounter to teach about the difficulty the wealthy face in entering the kingdom of God. "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:24-25). The disciples, astonished, ask, "Then who can be saved?" (Luke 18:26). The rich think that they are self-sufficient and that their wealth makes them acceptable before God.
Jesus responds, "What is impossible with man is possible with God" (Luke 18:27). Salvation is ultimately a work of God's grace, not human effort. God can work in the hearts and minds of even the wealthy to humble them so that they look to him, rather than to their riches, as their source of eternal life.
Peter then asks about the reward for those who have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus promises that no sacrifice made for God's kingdom agenda goes unnoticed or unrewarded. Faithful kingdom disciples will be repaid, sometimes in history but ultimately in eternity (Luke 18:29-30).
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection (Luke 18:31-34)
As they approach Jerusalem, Jesus again foretells his suffering, death, and resurrection. He explains that "Everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished" (Luke 18:31). He would be handed over to the Gentiles (i.e., the Romans). They would mock him, spit on him, flog (beat) him, and kill him (Luke 18:32-33). Yet as unbelievable as this was, the last part was even more confusing: he would rise on the third day (Luke 18:33).
Despite Jesus' clear pronouncements, "they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said" (Luke 18:34). They couldn’t understand how the Messiah could be killed in Jerusalem—the place where he was to be enthroned. They would need the Holy Spirit to provide full spiritual clarity.
The Blind Man Receives Sight (Luke 18:35-43)
Near Jericho, a blind beggar hears the commotion of the passing crowd and learns that Jesus is near (Luke 18:35-37). Knowing this is his chance, he cries out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:38).
The crowd tries to silence him, but he persists, crying out even louder (Luke 18:39). He knew that if this man were the Messiah, he could transform his helpless situation. How desperate are you for Jesus to intervene in your circumstances?
Jesus stops and asks, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Luke 18:40-41). The blind man replies, "Lord, let me recover my sight" (Luke 18:41).
Jesus responds, "Recover your sight; your faith has made you well" (Luke 18:42). Immediately, the man receives his sight and follows Jesus, glorifying God. The people who witnessed it gave praise to God (Luke 18:43).
This miracle serves as a powerful spiritual lesson. The blind man's faith, his desperate cry for mercy, and his immediate response of following Jesus demonstrate true discipleship. If they would respond to the Messiah and acknowledge their spiritual blindness, God would grant them spiritual life and entrance into the kingdom that Jesus was offering. The blind man's physical sight is restored, but more importantly, his spiritual vision is opened, enabling him to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. The story challenges us to examine our own spiritual blindness and to cry out to Jesus for healing and enlightenment.