Luke 18

Parables on Prayer

1Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they 1ought to pray and not to 2lose heart, 2saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not 3respect man. 3There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘4Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor 5respect man, 5yet 6because this widow bothers me, I will 7give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will 89wear me out.’” 6And 10the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7now, will not God 11bring about justice for His 12elect who cry to Him day and night, 13and will He 14delay long over them? 8I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, 15will He find 16faith on the earth?”

The Pharisee and the Publican

9And He also told this parable to some people who 17trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and 18viewed others with contempt: 10“Two men 19went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee 20stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I 21fast twice a week; I 22pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13But the tax collector, 23standing some distance away, 24was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but 25was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be 26merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; 27for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1528And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17Truly I say to you, 29whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

The Rich Young Ruler

1830A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 20You know the commandments, ‘31Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; 32sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have 33treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24And Jesus looked at him and said, “34How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25For 35it is easier for a camel to 36go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26They who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27But He said, “37The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

28Peter said, “Behold, 38we have left 39our own homes and followed You.” 29And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, 40there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30who will not receive many times as much at this time and in 41the age to come, eternal life.”

3142Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, 43we are going up to Jerusalem, and 44all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 3245For He will be 46handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, 33and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.” 34But 47the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

Bartimaeus Receives Sight

3548As 4950Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38And he called out, saying, “Jesus, 51Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “52Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41“What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42And Jesus said to him, “53Receive your sight; 54your faith has 55made you well.” 43Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, 56glorifying God; and when 57all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.