Chapter Text
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Jesus and the Little Children
The Rich Ruler
Jesus Predicts His Death Again
A Blind Beggar Healed
Summary
Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow who wears down an unjust judge through her continual appeals, teaching that God will surely avenge His elect who cry to Him day and night. He then tells the parable of the Pharisee and the publican who pray in the temple.
Jesus blesses the little children and teaches about entering the kingdom. A rich ruler asks about eternal life, and Jesus exposes the hold that wealth has on his heart. Jesus again predicts His death and resurrection. As He nears Jericho, He heals a blind man whose persistent cries overcome the crowd's rebuke.
Meaning
The parable of the unjust judge teaches by contrast: if an uncaring judge responds to persistence, how much more will a loving God respond to the prayers of His people? The question But when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? challenges believers to persist in prayer despite delay.
The Pharisee and publican parable is among the most piercing in all of Jesus' teaching. The Pharisee's prayer was self-congratulation disguised as worship. The publican's prayer, God be merciful to me a sinner, is the prayer that justifies. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
Background
The widow in the parable had no social power or advocate, making her entirely dependent on the judge's willingness to act. In ancient Near Eastern culture, widows were among the most vulnerable members of society, and their protection was a central concern of the Mosaic law.
The publican stood afar off and would not lift his eyes to heaven, postures of shame and unworthiness. His beating of his breast was an expression of deep grief. Jesus declared this despised man went home justified, shocking His audience.
Chapter Outline
- vv. 1-8The Parable of the Persistent Widow
- vv. 9-14The Pharisee and the Publican
- vv. 15-17Jesus Blesses the Little Children
- vv. 18-23The Rich Young Ruler
- vv. 24-30Riches and the Kingdom of God
- vv. 31-34Third Passion Prediction
- vv. 35-43Healing the Blind Man Near Jericho
Key Verses
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”— 18:1
A foundational text on persistent prayer, framing the parable of the importunate widow and teaching believers to persevere in intercession without discouragement.
“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.”— 18:14
A cornerstone verse on justification by humble repentance rather than self-righteous works, capturing the gospel principle that God receives the contrite sinner.
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”— 18:17
Jesus establishes childlike trust and dependence as the requisite posture for entering the kingdom, widely cited in teaching on faith and discipleship.
“And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”— 18:27
A beloved declaration of divine omnipotence, affirming that salvation—and every human impossibility—rests ultimately on the power of God, not human effort.
People & Places
People
- Jesus — The Son of God, teaching His disciples through parables and foretelling His passion as He journeys toward Jerusalem.
- The unjust judge — A parabolic figure who feared neither God nor man, yet yielded to a widow's persistence.
- The widow — A parabolic figure whose relentless pleading illustrates persevering prayer.
- The Pharisee — A self-righteous worshiper whose boastful prayer exemplifies spiritual pride.
- The publican — A humble tax collector whose contrite plea for mercy models true repentance.
- The certain ruler — A wealthy young official who sought eternal life but departed sorrowful, unwilling to forsake his riches.
- Peter — The disciple who affirms that the Twelve have left all to follow Christ.
- The Twelve — Jesus' chosen apostles, whom He takes aside to foretell His suffering, death, and resurrection.
- The blind beggar — A sightless man near Jericho who hailed Jesus as Son of David and received healing through faith.
Places
- The temple — The Jerusalem sanctuary, setting for the parable contrasting the Pharisee's and publican's prayers.
- Jerusalem — The holy city toward which Jesus journeys to fulfill the prophecies of His passion.
- Jericho — An ancient city near the Jordan, on whose outskirts Jesus restores sight to the blind beggar.
Prophecy & Fulfillment
In verses 31-33 Jesus explicitly foretells His passion, declaring that 'all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished'—His betrayal to the Gentiles, mocking, scourging, death, and resurrection on the third day. This gathers up Isaiah 50:6 and 53:3-12, Psalm 22, and Daniel 9:26 into a single prophetic summary. The blind man's cry of 'Son of David' (vv. 38-39) likewise invokes messianic expectation rooted in 2 Samuel 7 and Isaiah 11, and his healing signals the arrival of the promised kingdom (Isaiah 35:5).
Devotional
Luke 18 gathers four portraits of faith: a persistent widow, a broken-hearted publican, a trusting child, and a blind beggar who will not be silenced. Each one receives what the self-assured ruler could not—because their hands were empty and their hearts were open.
Where are you tempted to trust in your own goodness, your résumé of obedience, your bank account of merit? The kingdom belongs to those who come with nothing but a cry for mercy. Pray without fainting. Humble yourself. Ask boldly for sight. What is impossible with men is possible with God.
Literary Style
Gospel narrative interwoven with two parables, pronouncement stories, a passion prediction, and a healing miracle. Luke employs sharp character contrasts (Pharisee/publican, ruler/children, blind beggar/silent crowd) and reversal sayings to dramatize the kingdom's upside-down values.