What does the parable of the unjust judge and the widow teach about prayer?

This parable shows that followers of Jesus should keep praying and not give up, even when answers seem slow. The unjust judge does not care about God or people, yet he finally helps the widow because she keeps coming. Jesus uses this to say that if a hard, uncaring judge will finally act, then God, who loves his chosen people, will certainly listen to their cries. The point is not that God is like the judge, but the opposite. God may seem to delay, but he hears, he cares, and he will act at the right time, so we should keep praying.

Why does Jesus say we should always pray and not faint?

Jesus knows that when life is hard, people easily lose heart and think prayer does not matter. By saying we should always pray and not faint, he is calling us to steady, ongoing prayer, especially when we face trouble or injustice. Prayer is not just for quick fixes; it is a way of trusting God over time. Delays are a test of faith, not a sign that God has forgotten. As we keep praying, God is training our patience and deepening our trust, and he promises that our seeking him will not be in vain.

What is the main lesson from the Pharisee and the tax collector in the temple?

The Pharisee and the tax collector show two very different ways of coming to God. The Pharisee lists his good deeds and looks down on others, thanking God that he is better than they are. The tax collector stands far off, will not even lift his eyes, and beats his chest, saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus says the humble man, not the proud one, went home right with God. The lesson is that God accepts those who admit their sin and look for mercy, not those who trust in their own goodness and despise others.

What does it mean that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled?

When Jesus says everyone who exalts himself will be abased and whoever humbles himself will be exalted, he is turning human thinking upside down. People tend to lift themselves up, compare themselves with others, and rely on their own works. God resists that attitude. To be humbled here means to be brought low before God, shown as empty and wrong. To be exalted means to be lifted up by God’s grace, counted right with him. So we should not come boasting or trusting in ourselves, but confessing our need and resting on God’s mercy. In the end, God will honour the lowly in heart.

Why did Jesus welcome little children and say the kingdom belongs to such as these?

When people brought infants to Jesus, the disciples tried to stop them, perhaps thinking children were unimportant. Jesus corrected them and called the little ones to himself, saying that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. He then added that whoever does not receive the kingdom like a little child will never enter it. Children picture simple trust, dependence, and lowliness. They do not bring achievements; they come empty-handed. Jesus is teaching that people enter God’s kingdom not by status or works, but by coming to him in humble, childlike faith, ready to receive rather than earn.

What is the lesson from Jesus and the rich ruler about eternal life and riches?

The rich ruler asks what he must do to inherit eternal life and claims to have kept the commandments from youth. Jesus shows him what rules his heart: his possessions. He tells him to sell what he has, give to the poor, and follow him. The man becomes very sad because he is very rich. This reveals that he loved his wealth more than following Jesus. The lesson is not that every believer must sell all, but that anything we cling to above Christ keeps us from the kingdom. Riches make it hard to rely on God, yet what is impossible with us is possible with God.

What does Jesus mean by a camel going through the eye of a needle?

When Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom, he is using a striking picture to show how hard it is. A camel is large and a needle’s eye is tiny, so the picture is of something humanly impossible. Wealth often leads people to trust in their resources, comfort, and status instead of God. The disciples are shocked and ask who can be saved. Jesus answers that what is impossible with people is possible with God. Only God’s power can free hearts from the grip of riches and bring anyone into the kingdom.

Why did Jesus tell his disciples about his coming suffering and resurrection, and why did they not understand?

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus takes the twelve aside and tells them that everything written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled: he will be handed over, mocked, beaten, killed, and on the third day rise again. He is preparing them so they will know his death is not an accident but part of God’s plan. Yet the disciples do not grasp it; the saying is hidden from them. Their minds are not ready to accept a suffering Messiah. This shows how slow human hearts can be to receive God’s way, and how much we need God to open our eyes.

What does the healing of the blind man near Jericho show about faith?

The blind man by the road hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing and cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Even when people tell him to be quiet, he cries out all the more. He calls Jesus by a royal title, trusting him as the promised king. Jesus stops, asks what he wants, and the man says he wants to see. Jesus replies, “Receive your sight: your faith has saved you.” The man is healed at once, follows Jesus, and praises God, and the people praise God too. This scene shows that real faith clings to Jesus for mercy, pushes past hindrances, and gives glory to God for what he does.

How can this passage guide my own prayer and faith today?

This passage invites you to pray steadily, like the widow, and to come humbly, like the tax collector. You can bring your needs to God again and again, trusting that delays are not neglect but loving training. When you pray, do not list your good points or compare yourself to others. Instead, honestly confess, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” and rest in his kindness. Come to Jesus with the simple trust of a child and hold him above any wealth or comfort. Like the blind man, keep calling on him for mercy, believing he is able to save and help you.

Luke.18.1

Luke 18:1

KJV

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

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;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

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

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God 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?

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:

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.

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, God 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.

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.

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

The Rich Young Ruler

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

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.

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.

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 kingdom of God!

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 God.

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.

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 kingdom of God’s sake,

30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

The Third Prediction of the Passion

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.

32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

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.

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:

36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

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.

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, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.