Luke 18
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CHAPTER 18
The Parable of the Persistent Widow (18:1-8)
1-5 Here Jesus tells a parable about a widow who appealed to an unjust judge for justice. The judge neither feared God nor cared about men (verse 2). He was an evil judge, who treated men without justice or mercy. He was waiting for the widow to pay him a bribe; but the widow was too poor. Her only means of gaining justice was to be persistent. In the end, by her persistence alone, she obtained justice.
Jesus told this parable so that we might follow the widow’s example, and be persistent in prayer and not become discouraged and give up (verse 1).
6-8 Then Jesus compared the unjust judge with God. If a wicked and unjust judge would grant justice to the widow, how much more will a mercif ul and just God grant justice to his chosen ones42 who cry out to Him? Let us not doubt. He will see that they get justice, and quickly.
From this parable we can learn two main things. First, like the unjust judge, God may not answer our appeal immediately. He wants each of us to experience some kind of injustice and persecution in order that our faith might be tested (see Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7 and comments). He also wants us to share in the suffering of Christ in this life, so that we might share in His glory in the next life (see Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:12-13 and comments). Therefore, we must understand that if God lets us suffer injustice for some period, it is for our good (see Romans 8:28 and comment).
Therefore, why does Jesus say that God will see that His chosen ones get justice, and quickly? God’s time and our time are not the same. A thousand years is like a day to God (2 Peter 3:8). Here the word quickly means “at the right time.” God will not delay unnecessarily.
The second thing to learn from this parable is that we must persist in prayer. God wants us to continue in prayer, even though the answer does not come immediately. He wants us to be persistent (see Luke 11:5-8 and comment).
Why does God want us to be persistent? The answer is: to show our faith. Especially we must persist in prayer during times of persecution. That is when our faith is being tested. Jesus said, “… he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). We must continue to cry out to God with faith, never doubting that in the end He will grant us justice. He may not grant it in this life, but He will certainly grant it in the next.
But this teaching is not only for times of persecution. We must persist in prayer at other times also. Is there a friend or relative for whom you are praying? Do you see no answer? Continue to pray.
Are you troubled by some sin or bad habit in your life, over which you cannot obtain victory? Continueto pray. Do not give up. And God, in the end, at the right time, will answer your prayer.
However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (verse 8). Will He find men persisting in prayer, even though they are being persecuted and killed? In the last days before Christ comes again, trouble and distress will come upon all men. At that time many will turn away from the faith (Matthew 24:10). Will Christ find any that have remained faithful?
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (18:9-14)
9 Then Jesus told a parable to some who were confident in their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else. In Jesus’ time, most of the Jews—especially the Pharisees—were like that: they trusted in their own RIGHTEOUSNESS and considered themselves better than everyone else. But this parable, as with all of Jesus’ parables, is not spoken to Jews only, but to everyone. Are there those among us who are saying to God: “I am worthy; I am righteous”? If so, this parable is for them.
10-12 The parable is about two men. One was a Pharisee, a strict Jew, who believed in God and obeyed the law as he understood it. Like the rich man of Luke 16:19, the Pharisee in this parable was an upright man. He was not evil. He not only obeyed the Jewish law; he did even more than the law demanded. According to the law, a man had to fast only once a year; this man, however, fasted twice a week. According to the law, a man had to give a tenth of only certain kinds of income; this man gave a tenth of all his income (verse 12).
Therefore, what was this Pharisee’s sin? His sin was that he considered himself righteous. He did not consider that he needed God’s forgiveness and mercy. He considered that he was worthy to receive God’s salvation because of his good works. In God’s eyes, this was a sinful attitude. This Pharisee was proud.
Not only that, this Pharisee in his heart was not truly righteous. He despised other men. He didn’t love them. He judged them (Matthew 7:1-2). In doing this he disobeyed God (see Matthew 23:23 and comment).
The Pharisee went up to the temple to pray. There are many who can be seen praying in temples and churches today who shall not be seen in the kingdom of heaven!
13 But the attitude of the second man, the tax collector, was totally different (see Mark 2:14 and comment). He knew that he was a sinner. He knew that he deserved only punishment from God for his sins. He was poor in spirit; he mourned for his sins (see Matthew 5:3-4 and comment). The only thing that he dared to ask for from God was mercy.
14 The tax collector went home justified before God. The Pharisee, however, was not justified in in God’s sight. The tax collector was forgiven and cleansed of his sin and was accepted by God. The Pharisee, on the other hand, was condemned by God because of his pride and lack of love.
From this important parable we learn that to be accepted and justified by God we must first humble ourselves and repent of our sins and beg God’s mercy. David wrote: A humble and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Psalm 51:17). Only when we have humbled ourselves before God will He then come to us and lift us up and clothe our nakedness with the righteousness of Christ.
But those who exalt themselves, like this Pharisee, God will humble. Such people will not be admitted into the kingdom of heaven. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (see Matthew 23:12 and comment).
The Little Children and Jesus (18:15-17)
(Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16)
15-17 See Mark 10:13-16 and comment.
The Rich Ruler (18:18-30)
(Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31)
18-30 See Mark 10:17-31 and comment.
Jesus Again Predicts His Death (18:31-34)
(Matthew 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-34)
31-34 See Mark 10:32-34 and comment.
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight
(Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52)
35-43 See Mark 10:46-52 and comment.