A Verse-by-Verse Exegesis of Luke 18
Luke 18 contains several parables and encounters that highlight themes of prayer, humility, and discipleship. The chapter opens with the parable of the importunate widow, which Jesus told "to the signifyinge that men ought alwayes to praye and not to be wery" [2]. This parable, found in Luke 18:1-8, emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer [3, 4]. The widow repeatedly approaches an unjust judge, seeking justice against her adversary. Though the judge initially refuses, he eventually grants her request "because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me" (Luke 18:5 KJV). The application of the parable is that if even an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will God, who is righteous, "avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him" (Luke 18:7 KJV) [7]. The phrase "bear long with them" in Luke 18:7 is interpreted by some as meaning "in their case" or "on their account" [7].
Following this, Luke 18:9-14 presents the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, which addresses the right attitude for approaching God in prayer [8]. The Pharisee boasts of his righteousness, while the tax collector humbly confesses his sin, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13 KJV). Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, "went down to his house justified" (Luke 18:14 KJV), illustrating that "every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" [1]. This parable teaches humility and humiliation for sin in prayer [3].
The chapter continues with Jesus' interaction with little children (Luke 18:15-17), where he welcomes them and declares that "whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein" (Luke 18:17 KJV) [3, 4]. Augustine notes the importance of caring for the "little ones" [6].
Next, Jesus encounters a rich ruler who asks how to inherit eternal life (Luke 18:18-23) [4, 5]. The ruler claims to have kept the commandments, but when Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give to the poor, he goes away sorrowful because of his great wealth. This passage highlights the difficulty for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God, leading Jesus to state, "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" (Luke 18:25 KJV).
Finally, Jesus foretells his passion and death (Luke 18:31-34) and restores a blind man to sight near Jericho (Luke 18:35-43) [4]. The blind man's persistent cry, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (Luke 18:38 KJV), echoes the theme of importunate prayer from the chapter's opening parable.
Sources
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Luke.14.11 → Prov.18.12 (confidence: 15 votes)”
- Luke “Luke 18:1 (Tyndale) — And he put forth a similitude vnto the signifyinge that men ought alwayes to praye and not to be wery”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 18 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. The parable of the importunate widow, designed to teach us fervency in prayer (Luk 18:1-8). II. The parable of the Pharisee and publican, designed to teach us humility, and humiliation for sin, in prayer (Luk 18:9-14). III. Christ's favour to little children that were brought to him (Luk 18:15-17). IV. The trial of a rich man that had a mind to follow Christ, whether he loved better Christ or his riches; his coming short upon that trial; and Christ's discourse with his disciples upon that occasion (Luk 18:18-30). V. Christ's ”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 18 (introduction): The parable of the importunate widow, Luk 18:1-8. Of the Pharisee and the publican, Luk 18:9-14. Infants brought to Christ, Luk 18:15-17. The ruler who wished to know how he might inherit eternal life, Luk 18:18-23. Our Lord's reflections on his case, Luk 18:24-27. What they shall receive who follow Christ, Luk 18:28-30. He foretells his approaching passion and death, Luk 18:31-34. He restores a blind man to sight at Jericho, Luk 18:35-43.”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 18:18: In these verses we have, I. Christ's discourse with a ruler, that had a good mind to be directed by him in the way to heaven. In which we may observe, 1. It is a blessed sight to see persons of distinction in the world distinguish themselves from others of their rank by their concern about their souls and another life. Luke takes notice of it that he was a ruler. Few of the rulers had any esteem for Christ, but here was one that had; whether a church or state ruler does not appear, but he was one in authority. 2. The great thing we are every one of us concerned to ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — ON THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL, LUKE XVIII. I, (part 5): are ruined in their root. "Let the Lord bless the small with the great."[11] Let the Physician touch both small and great. the cause of the little ones we commend to their eiders. Speak ye for them who are mute, pray for them who weep. If ye are not their elders to no purpose, be ye their guardians: defend them who are not able yet to manage their own cause. Common is the loss, let the finding be common: 456 we were lost all together, together be we found in Christ. Uneven is the desert, but”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 18:7: shall not God--not unjust, but the infinitely righteous Judge. avenge--redeem from oppression. his own elect--not like this widow, the object of indifference and contempt, but dear to Him as the apple of the eye (Zac 2:8). cry day and night--whose every cry enters into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth (Jam 5:4), and how much more their incessant and persevering cries! bear long with them--rather, "in their case," or "on their account" (as) Jam 5:7, "for it"), [GROTIUS, DE WETTE, &c.].”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 18:9: 18:9-14 The topic of prayer (18:1-8) leads into this parable about the right attitude for approaching God.”