Luke 18:1

Luke 18:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
• New International Version (NIV)Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

Context of Luke 18:1

Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up. 2“There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people. 3And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

Luke 18:1 word by word

Ἔλεγεν δὲ παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς πρὸς τὸ δεῖν πάντοτε προσεύχεσθαι αὐτοὺς καὶ μὴ ἐγκακεῖνRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andδέde · thenG1161
• he spakeλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• a parableπαραβολήparabolē · parableG3850
• unto themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• ·πρόςpros · to/withG4314
• that men oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
• alwaysπάντοτεpantote · alwaysG3842
• to prayπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
• notμήmē · notG3361
• to faintἐκκακέωekkakeō · to lose heartG1573

Cross-references for Luke 18:1

• Luke 11:5He also said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
• Luke 21:36But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”
• Genesis 32:9Then Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper,’
• Job 27:8For what hope does the godless person have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
• Psalms 55:16But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.
• Psalms 65:2All humanity will come to you, the one who hears prayer.
• Psalms 86:3Be gracious to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
• Psalms 102:17He will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute and will not despise their prayer.
• Psalms 142:5I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.”
• Jeremiah 29:12You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
• Romans 12:12Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
• Ephesians 6:18Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
• Philippians 4:6Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
• Colossians 4:2Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17pray constantly,
• Psalms 27:13I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.

Commentaries on Luke 18:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Men ought always to pray - Therefore the plain meaning and moral of the parable are evident; viz. that as afflictions and desolations were coming on the land, and they should have need of much patience and continual fortitude, and the constant influence and protection of the Almighty, therefore they should be instant in prayer. It states, farther, that men should never cease praying for that the necessity of which God has given them to feel, till they…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1A parable - See the notes at Matthew 13:3. To this end - To show this. Always - At all times. That is, we must not neglect regular stated seasons of prayer; we must seize on occasions of remarkable providences as afflictions or signal blessings to seek God in prayer; we must “always” maintain a spirit of prayer, or be in a proper frame to lift up our hearts to God for his blessing, and we must not grow weary though our prayer seems not to be answered. Not…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The parable of the importunate widow. (1-8) The Pharisee and the publican. (9-14) Children brought to Christ. (15-17) The ruler hindered by his riches. (18-30) Christ foreshows his death. (31-34) A blind man restored to sight. (35-43) Verses 1-8 All God's people are praying people. Here earnest steadiness in prayer for spiritual mercies is taught. The widow's earnestness prevailed even with the unjust judge: she might fear lest it should set him more…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-8The parable of the persistent widow follows naturally from the teaching of Jesus about coming troubles (17:20–37). Believers can face trials and persevere through persistent prayer.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-81-5. always--Compare Lu 18:7, "night and day." faint--lose heart, or slacken.Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 18:1

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Constancy
• Despondency
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Prayer

In the dictionaries

• Admiration
• Bear
• Elect
• Luke, Gospel according to
• Agrapha
• End
• Faint
• Jesus Christ
• Luke, the Gospel of
• Mark, the Gospel According to

Commentaries on Luke 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings