Luke18

Jesus teaches on persistent prayer through the parable of the unjust judge and on humility through the parable of the Pharisee and publican. He welcomes children, stating that the Kingdom of God belongs to such. Jesus challenges a rich ruler to forsake his possessions for eternal life, foretells his own suffering, and heals a blind man whose faith saves him.

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The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men.

And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men,

yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’”

And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge.

Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?

I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’

But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus Welcomes the Children

Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.

But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

The Rich Ruler and Eternal Life

Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”

“All these I have kept from my youth,” he said.

On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.

Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

“Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God

will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Jesus Predicts His Suffering and Resurrection

Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.

He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.

They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.”

But the disciples did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying.

Healing the Blind Man near Jericho

As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging.

When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him.

So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Those who led the way admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and directed that the man be brought to Him. When he had been brought near, Jesus asked him,

“What do you want Me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “let me see again.”

“Receive your sight!” Jesus replied. “Your faith has healed you.”

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. And all the people who saw this gave praise to God.

Study Notes for Luke 18

Verse 1

This verse states the central purpose of the parable: to teach the necessity of enduring prayer and perseverance, specifically in the face of delay or perceived injustice.

Verse 2

The judge is characterized by moral depravity, representing the antithesis of God. This contrast highlights that if even an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will the righteous God respond.

Verse 3

Widows were among the most vulnerable members of first-century society, emphasizing her total lack of power and her desperate need for justice.

Verse 7

A strong assurance of divine intervention. God will certainly vindicate His 'elect' (those chosen by Him), though He may 'bear long' (act patiently) before the final judgment.

Verse 8

The question challenges the disciples regarding the nature of faith required for the end times. Speedily refers to the certainty of vindication, though the timing may seem delayed to believers.

Verse 9

This parable is addressed specifically to those who rely on their own religious performance while looking down on others, addressing the sin of spiritual pride.

Verse 11

The Pharisee’s prayer is self-congratulatory rather than a plea for God’s grace. The phrase 'prayed thus with himself' suggests his words were for his own benefit, not truly directed toward God.

Verse 13

The publican (tax collector) displays true humility and repentance. Smoting the breast was a physical expression of deep grief and contrition over sin.

Verse 14

Justified means to be declared righteous by God. This man was accepted because he humbly sought mercy, demonstrating that justification comes through dependence on God, not religious merit.

Verse 15

Bringing infants to Jesus was likely for a blessing or prayer. The disciples’ rebuke reflects a common view that Jesus should not be bothered with matters considered trivial.

Verse 17

Entering the kingdom requires the attitude of a child: complete trust, dependence, and lack of pretense or self-sufficiency.

Verse 18

This man was a 'ruler,' indicating high status, wealth, and authority. His question shows genuine concern for achieving eternal life through personal effort.

Verse 19

Jesus challenges the ruler’s premise, forcing him to consider whether he recognizes Jesus' true divine nature, or simply views him as a human teacher.

Verse 22

Jesus confronts the ruler’s true obstacle: his wealth. The command to 'sell all' was a specific test revealing his idolatry, not a universal requirement for salvation.

Verse 25

This hyperbole emphasizes the extreme difficulty for those who rely on their earthly riches, treating them as a form of security, to enter the kingdom.

Verse 27

This key theological statement affirms that salvation is not a human achievement but a gift made possible only by the sovereign power of God.

Verse 31

This is the third and most detailed of Jesus’ predictions of the Passion in Luke, emphasizing that His suffering fulfills the divine plan laid out by the prophets.

Verse 34

The disciples were blinded by their expectation of a conquering, political Messiah. Their failure to understand demonstrates the profound spiritual nature of Jesus' mission.

Verse 35

This miracle occurs as Jesus approaches Jericho on His final journey to Jerusalem, serving as a powerful demonstration of His messianic authority just before His entrance into the city.

Verse 38

Calling Jesus 'Son of David' is a clear declaration of faith in His messianic identity, recognizing Him as the promised King of Israel.

Verse 42

Jesus attributes the healing to the man’s faith. The term 'saved' (Greek: *sesōken*) implies both physical healing and spiritual restoration.

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Luke18

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Jesus Welcomes the Children

The Rich Ruler and Eternal Life

Jesus Predicts His Suffering and Resurrection

Healing the Blind Man near Jericho

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