Luke 18:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

NIV: And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

NASB: Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’

CSB: And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'

NLT: A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’

KJV: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

NKJV: Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’

Jesus is telling a parable which contrasts the God who willingly gives justice to His children as opposed to an uncaring judge. This judge does not fear God (Proverbs 1:7) nor respect people (Luke 18:1–2). A widow needs justice, but the judge doesn't care. He refuses to do his job until her demands become annoying. He finally gives her justice just to get rid of her (Luke 18:4–8).

This parable follows Jesus' discussion with the disciples about when the kingdom of God will be fulfilled (Luke 17:20–37). They don't realize it, but He's talking about His second coming when He will judge the world. Unlike many in powerful positions, God promises that His followers will receive justice for the wrongs committed against them (Luke 18:7–8).

God has special concern for widows and orphans; much of the Mosaic law's social service program is for their benefit (Deuteronomy 14:29; 24:20; 26:12). David calls God the "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows" (Psalm 68:5). The New Testament teaches us that Christians and the church are responsible to care for widows (James 1:27; 1 Timothy 5:9–10), who are still a vulnerable group around the world.

Luke 18:1–8 contains the parable of the persistent widow. Jesus contrasts God with a corrupt judge who will only give a widow justice when she becomes a nuisance. The Lord, however, is eager to give His followers justice—partially now and fully when Jesus returns. Like the widow, we must ask diligently and with faith. Jesus goes on to show that proper faith is humble, not self-congratulating (Luke 18:9–14), childlike (Luke 18:15–17), and makes us hold lightly things of the earth as compared to how we cling to God (Luke 18:18–30). Only Luke records this parable.

Luke continues to arrange Jesus' teachings by their topic. Here, he includes two parables: the persistent widow and the Pharisee and the tax collector. Jesus encourages children to approach Him. He interacts with a moral, wealthy man who can't bear to follow Jesus if it means giving up wealth. After another prediction of His death, Jesus encounters and heals a blind man on His way to Jerusalem.

Luke 18 approaches the end of Jesus' "travelogue" to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27). Luke has selected miracles, teachings, and events to show how Jesus trained His disciples. His emphasis was explaining the kingdom of God in preparation for their work to build the church. Luke 18 includes several contrasts between those who understand God's kingdom and those who don't. Luke 19 includes the story of Zacchaeus and another parable before Jesus' triumphal entry and the Passion Week. These stories are also found primarily in Matthew 19—20 and Mark 10.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.