Luke 18

The persistent widow 1
Two prayers – Pharisee and tax collector 9
Jesus blesses children; be like them 15
Invitation to the wealthy young ruler 18
With God anything is possible; salvation of wealthy 24
Jesus predicts His death and resurrection again 31
Jesus heals a blind man who cries for mercy 35
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Comments
.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?

  1 - Pray always Or "pray and not give up" (NIV). Persistent prayer draws us unto a closer relationship with our Lord. It helps us see the importance of our need and the greatness of our provider.
  8 - Avenge ... speedily To follow Christ means not fighting back. We forgive. God will do what is just.
  8 - Find faith Apparently the faithful will be comparatively few lu1323,24, he1106
.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.

  9 - Parable It hardly needs comment.
11 - Stood A frequent posture for prayer 1sa0126, 1ki0814, mt0605, mr1125. Also see on ne0805, da0610.
  12 - Fast twice See mt0616.
  14 - Humbleth himself So if you really want to get ahead, should you just be humble for awhile? Pride is a basic evil pr2825, ps10105. It is arrogance. See on mal0314.
Publican © Gazelle Publications
    For each of the classes represented by the Pharisee and the publican there is a lesson in the history of the apostle Peter. In his early discipleship Peter thought himself strong. Like the Pharisee, in his own estimation he was "not as other men are." When Christ on the eve of His betrayal forewarned His disciples, "All ye shall be offended because of Me this night," Peter confidently declared, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I." Mark 14:27, 29. Peter did not know his own danger. Self-confidence misled him. He thought himself able to withstand temptation; but in a few short hours the test came, and with cursing and swearing he denied his Lord.
    When the crowing of the cock reminded him of the words of Christ, surprised and shocked at what he had just done he turned and looked at his Master. At that moment Christ looked at Peter, and beneath that grieved look, in which compassion and love for him were blended, Peter understood himself. He went out and wept bitterly. That look of Christ's broke his heart. Peter had come to the turning point, and bitterly did he repent his sin. He was like the publican in his contrition and repentance, and like the publican he found mercy. The look of Christ assured him of pardon. (Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 153, 154).
Jesus blesses children. Luke 18:15-17; Matt. 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16.
.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.
Texts indicated in the link codes often include more than one verse.
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The rich young ruler. Luke 18:18-30; Matt. 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31.
.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.

  18 - A certain ruler See comments at mt1916. Mark may have told the story best mr1017.
 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.
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Going to Jerusalem for all to be accomplished. Luke 18:31-34; Matt. 20:17-19; Mark 10:32-42.
.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.
  31 - Written by the prophets Here are a few: ps01610; ps02207; ps04915, is5301; da0926.
  34 - Understood none "The Evangelist seems unable to say strongly enough how entirely hidden from them at that time was the sense of these exceeding plain statements: no doubt to add weight to their subsequent testimony, which from this very circumstance was prodigious, and with all the simple-hearted irresistible." (JFB Commentary) See on lu0945.
Blind man near Jericho. Luke 18:35-43; Matt. 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52.
.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.
  35 - Come nigh unto Jericho Matthew and Mark say the healing happened as they were leaving the city mr1046. All are right. Luke separated the two stories which would have overlapped in time. According to lu1901, Jesus passed through Jericho, then met Zacchaeus and went back to his house in the city. The healing could have been on the way back or at about the time He turned around with Zacchaeus.
  35 - A certain blind man He is elsewhere identified as Bartimaeus.
  43 - All the people ... praise Different from the common reaction of the Jewish leaders.
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