New King James Version
Luke 18:1
1Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
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 Living Translation (NLT)One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
Context of Luke 18:1
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’
Read all of Luke 18Luke 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 11:5And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;
- Luke 21:36Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
- Genesis 32:9Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’:
- Job 27:8For what is the hope of the hypocrite, Though he may gain much, If God takes away his life?
- Psalms 55:16As for me, I will call upon God, And the Lord shall save me.
- Psalms 65:2O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come.
- Psalms 86:3Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long.
- Psalms 102:17He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.
- Psalms 142:5I cried out to You, O Lord: I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.
- Jeremiah 29:12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
- Romans 12:12rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
- Ephesians 6:18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
- Philippians 4:6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
- Colossians 4:2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17pray without ceasing,
- Psalms 27:13I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries