Luke 18:6

Context

Luke 18:6 is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge, which Jesus begins telling in Luke 18:1. The parable's purpose is explicitly stated: "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Before this verse, Jesus introduces the two main characters: a corrupt judge who "feared not God, neither regarded man" (Luke 18:2), and a persistent widow who continually pleaded for justice (Luke 18:3). The judge, motivated solely by annoyance and self-interest, eventually grants her request (Luke 18:4-5). Verse 6 marks the moment Jesus pauses the narrative to draw His disciples' attention to the crucial lesson embedded in the judge's reluctant decision, setting up the profound "how much more" argument that follows.

Key Themes

• Contrast of Justice: The "unjust judge" serves as a foil to God's perfect righteousness. Jesus uses this negative example to powerfully illustrate the positive truth about God's character and His willingness to hear and respond to His people.
• The Power of Perseverance: The judge, despite his moral failings, yields to the widow's relentless persistence. This highlights the transformative power of unwavering prayer and not giving up in seeking divine intervention.
• God's Readiness to Respond: The implicit message, fully developed in Luke 18:7-8, is that if an unrighteous human judge can be swayed by persistence, how much more will a just, loving, and omnipotent God respond to the fervent prayers of His chosen ones?

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "unjust judge" translates from the Greek kritēs tēs adikias (κριτὴς τῆς ἀδικίας), literally "judge of unrighteousness" or "judge of injustice." This emphasizes that injustice was not merely an occasional failing but an inherent characteristic of his judicial practice. Jesus' command, "Hear what the unjust judge saith," is an imperative (ἀκούσατε), urging His listeners to carefully consider the judge's own reasoning for finally acting (found in Luke 18:4-5). This self-serving motivation of the judge makes God's future, righteous intervention for His people even more striking by comparison.

Practical Application

Luke 18:6, within its context, serves as a profound encouragement for the believer's prayer life today. It teaches us several vital lessons:

• Pray with Persistence: We are called to pray without ceasing and to persevere in our requests, even when answers are not immediately apparent. Our persistence reflects our faith and dependence on God.
• Trust God's Character: Unlike the unjust judge, God is inherently good, just, and compassionate. He does not need to be coerced or annoyed into action; He desires to hear and respond to His children's cries (Psalm 34:17). Our prayers are not about changing God's mind, but aligning our hearts with His will and demonstrating our trust.
• Expect Divine Intervention: The parable assures us that God will indeed bring about justice for His elect, and He will do so "speedily" (Luke 18:8), though "speedily" is understood in His divine timing, not necessarily our human timeline.