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

Jesus used this illustration with his disciples to show them that they need to pray all the time and never give up. 2He said, “In a city there was a judge who didn’t fear God or respect people. 3In that city there was also a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice.’

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 11:5Jesus said to his disciples, “Suppose one of you has a friend. Suppose you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread.
• Luke 21:36Be alert at all times. Pray so that you have the power to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand in front of the Son of Man.”
• Genesis 32:9Then Jacob prayed, “God of my grandfather Abraham and God of my father Isaac! Lord, you said to me, ‘Go back to your land and to your relatives, and I will make you prosperous.’
• Job 27:8After all, what hope does the godless person have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?
• Psalms 55:16But I call on God, and the Lord saves me.
• Psalms 65:2You are the one who hears prayers. Everyone will come to you.
• Psalms 86:3Have pity on me, O Lord, because I call out to you all day long.
• Psalms 102:17He will turn his attention to the prayers of those who have been abandoned. He will not despise their prayers.
• Psalms 142:5I call out to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my refuge, my own inheritance in this world of the living.”
• Jeremiah 29:12Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
• Romans 12:12Be happy in your confidence, be patient in trouble, and pray continually.
• Ephesians 6:18Pray in the Spirit in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God’s people.
• Philippians 4:6Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
• Colossians 4:2Keep praying. Pay attention when you offer prayers of thanksgiving.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17Never stop praying.
• Psalms 27:13I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in this world 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