1And he was telling them a parable about the necessity of always praying and not losing heart, [18:2] saying, 'There was a certain judge in a certain city who neither feared God nor respected man. [18:3] And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, "Avenge me of my adversary." [18:4] And for a time he was not willing. But after these things he said within himself, "Even if I do not fear God and do not respect man, [18:5] yet because this widow keeps causing me trouble, I will avenge her, so that she may not by her continual coming exhaust me."' [18:6] Then the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says. [18:7] And will God not carry out the avenging of his elect — the ones crying out to him day and night — and is he being patient toward them? [18:8] I tell you that he will carry out their avenging with speed. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?'
LUK 18:1-8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Roman Palestine, widows were among the most vulnerable in society, lacking legal standing and economic security. The parable’s widow seeks (G1556), not personal revenge but legal justice, a right often denied to women without male advocates. The judge, described as fearing neither God nor man, embodies the corruption of local Roman-appointed officials, who often disregarded Jewish concerns. His eventual decision to grant her justice is motivated not by morality but by her persistence, which (G5299)—literally 'strikes him under the eye,' a metaphor for wearisome harassment. This reflects the honor-shame dynamics of the culture, where public nuisance could compel action. Jesus’ audience, familiar with systemic injustice, would hear this as a critique of both Roman authority and the failure of local leaders to uphold justice. The parable’s call to pray and not (G1573)—to avoid cowardly despair—resonates with a community enduring oppression, urging steadfast faith in God’s ultimate justice.
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How other translations render this
LUK 18:1
- KJV
- And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
- BSB
- Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:
- Koinōnos
- And he was telling them a parable about the necessity of always praying and not losing heart,
LUK 18:2
- KJV
- Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
- BSB
- “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men.
- Koinōnos
- saying, 'There was a certain judge in a certain city who neither feared God nor respected man.
LUK 18:3
- KJV
- And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
- BSB
- And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
- Koinōnos
- And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, "Avenge me of my adversary.
LUK 18:4
- KJV
- And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
- BSB
- For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men,
- Koinōnos
- And for a time he was not willing. But after these things he said within himself, "Even if I do not fear God and do not respect man,
LUK 18:5
- KJV
- Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
- BSB
- yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Otherwise, she will wear me out with her perpetual requests.’”
- Koinōnos
- yet because this widow keeps causing me trouble, I will avenge her, so that she may not by her continual coming exhaust me."
LUK 18:6
- KJV
- And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
- BSB
- And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge.
- Koinōnos
- Then the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says.
LUK 18:7
- KJV
- And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
- BSB
- Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?
- Koinōnos
- And will God not carry out the avenging of his elect — the ones crying out to him day and night — and is he being patient toward them?
LUK 18:8
- KJV
- I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
- BSB
- I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
- Koinōnos
- I tell you that he will carry out their avenging with speed. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 18:1
- not:The word translated 'not' here means to become weary or to lose heart, implying a giving up due to exhaustion or discouragement. It suggests a failure to persevere.
LUK 18:2
- respecting.:The term translated 'respecting' implies a sense of shame or reverence that would cause one to act in a certain way. It suggests being influenced by the presence or authority of another.
LUK 18:3
- do avenge:The word translated 'do avenge' carries the meaning of obtaining justice or vindication for someone who has been wronged, often through punitive action. It's about setting things right.
LUK 18:5
- she may exhaust:The word translated 'she may exhaust' literally means to strike under the eye, giving a black eye, and metaphorically means to wear someone out or annoy them greatly. It suggests persistent, forceful badgering.