Luke 18

Parables on Prayer

1Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they 1ought to pray and not 2become discouraged, 2saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not 3respect any person. 3Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my 4opponent.’ 4For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor 5respect any person, 5yet 6because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise 7by continually coming she will 8wear me out.’” 6And 9the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge said; 7now, will God not 10bring about justice for His 11elect who cry out to Him day 12and night, and will He 13delay long for them? 8I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, 14will He find 15faith on the earth?”

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9Now He also told this parable to some people who 16trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and 17viewed others with contempt: 10“Two men 18went up into the 19temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee 20stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, 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 raise his eyes toward heaven, but 25was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be 26merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; 27for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1528Now 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 29the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not 30forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17Truly I say to you, 31whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

The Rich Young Ruler

1832A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me 33good? No one is 34good except God alone. 20You know the commandments, ‘35Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Honor your father and mother.’” 21And he said, “All these things I have kept since my youth.” 22Now when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; 36sell all that you possess and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have 37treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy. 24And Jesus looked at him and said, “38How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25For 39it is easier for a camel to 40go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!” 26Those who heard Him said, “And so who can be saved?” 27But He said, “41The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

28Peter said, “Behold, 42we have left 43our own homes and followed You.” 29And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, 44there 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 45the age to come, eternal life.”

3146Now He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, 47we are going up to Jerusalem, and 48all the things that have been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 3249For He will be 50handed over to the Gentiles, and will be ridiculed, and abused, and spit upon, 33and after they have flogged Him, they will kill Him; and on the third day He will rise.” 345152The 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

3553Now as 5455Jesus was approaching Jericho, a man who was blind was sitting by the road, begging. 36But when he heard a crowd going by, he began inquiring what this was. 37They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38And he called out, saying, “Jesus, 56Son 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, “57Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He asked 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, “Regain your sight; 58your faith has 59made you well.” 43And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, 60glorifying God; and when 61all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.