Luke 18
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Prayer: Luke 21:36, Psalms 102:17, Jeremiah 29:12, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Parallel theme: Psalms 86:3, Galatians 6:9 +5
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: References God: Luke 18:4. Parallel theme: Proverbs 29:7
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 27:19, Job 22:9, 29:13, Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 5:28
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Parallel theme: Luke 12:17, 16:3
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. Parallel theme: Luke 11:8, 18:39, Judges 16:16, Matthew 15:23
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. References Lord: Luke 7:13
7 And shall not GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Parallel theme: Psalms 46:5, Matthew 24:24, 2 Peter 2:3
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Righteousness: Luke 16:15, 18:11, Romans 10:3. Parallel theme: Luke 7:39, 19:7, Proverbs 30:12, Isaiah 65:5, Romans 7:9, 14:10 +4
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 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. Prayer: Matthew 6:5, Mark 11:25. Parallel theme: Isaiah 65:5, Jeremiah 2:35, Revelation 3:17
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. be merciful to me a sinner.
14 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. Righteousness: Luke 16:15. Parallel theme: Luke 1:52, 14:11, Psalms 138:6, Proverbs 29:23, Isaiah 57:15, Matthew 5:3, 23:12, James 4:6, 4:10 +5
Jesus Blesses the Children
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 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. References God: Genesis 21:4, Deuteronomy 31:12, Acts 2:39. Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 7:14, 14:20, 1 Peter 2:2
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Kingdom: Matthew 18:3, Mark 10:15. Parallel theme: 1 Peter 1:14
The Rich Young Ruler
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Parallel theme: Luke 6:46, Ezekiel 33:31, Malachi 1:6, Acts 2:37, 16:30
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally..
20 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. Word: Romans 13:9, Ephesians 6:2
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 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. References Jesus: Matthew 19:21. Parallel theme: Luke 9:23, 10:42, 12:33, 16:9, Psalms 27:4, Philippians 3:13, 2 Peter 3:8 +3
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdomKingdom: βασιλεία (Basileia). The Greek basileia (βασιλεία) means kingdom—both the realm ruled and the exercise of royal authority. The 'kingdom of God' is central to Jesus' teaching, representing God's saving rule breaking into history. of God! References God: Proverbs 30:9. Parallel theme: Psalms 10:3, Proverbs 11:28
25 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 GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally..
26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. References God: Luke 1:37, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 19:26. Parallel theme: Genesis 18:14, Job 42:2, Daniel 4:35
28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
29 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 kingdomKingdom: βασιλεία (Basileia). The Greek basileia (βασιλεία) means kingdom—both the realm ruled and the exercise of royal authority. The 'kingdom of God' is central to Jesus' teaching, representing God's saving rule breaking into history. of God's sake, Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 33:9
30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time
31 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. References Jerusalem: Luke 9:51, Matthew 16:21. Parallel theme: Luke 9:22, Daniel 9:26, Zechariah 13:7, Mark 8:9
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: Parallel theme: Luke 23:11, Isaiah 50:6, 52:14, 53:3, Micah 5:1, Matthew 16:21, 26:67, Mark 14:65, Acts 2:23, 3:13 +5
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. Parallel theme: Luke 2:50, 9:45, 24:25, 24:45, Mark 9:32, John 10:6, 12:16 +2
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: Parallel theme: 1 Samuel 2:8, John 9:8
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Parallel theme: Matthew 2:23
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
39 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. Parallel theme: Luke 18:15, Psalms 141:1
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint., that I may receive my sight. Parallel theme: Romans 8:25, Philippians 4:6
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faithFaith: πίστις (Pistis). The Greek pistis (πίστις) denotes faith, belief, or trust—confidence in God's character and promises. It's both intellectual assent and relational trust, central to justification (Romans 5:1). hath saved thee.
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally.: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. Resurrection: Psalms 146:8