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

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

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

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And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ​
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Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
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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. ​
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I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
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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. ​
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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. ​

Jesus Welcomes the Children

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And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ​
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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.
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Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. ​

The Rich Ruler and Eternal Life

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And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? ​
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And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. ​
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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.
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And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
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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. ​
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And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
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And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
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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. ​
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And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
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And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. ​
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Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
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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,
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Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Jesus Predicts His Suffering and Resurrection

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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. ​
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For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
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And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
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And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. ​

Healing the Blind Man near Jericho

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