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

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

Luke 18:1 word by word

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

• ·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 unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
• Luke 21:36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
• Genesis 32:9And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yhwh which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:
• Job 27:8For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
• Psalms 55:16As for me, I will call upon God; And Yhwh shall save me.
• Psalms 65:2O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
• Psalms 86:3Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
• Psalms 102:17He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
• Psalms 142:5I cried unto thee, O Yhwh: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
• Jeremiah 29:12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
• Romans 12:12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
• Ephesians 6:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
• Philippians 4:6Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
• Colossians 4:2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
• 1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing.
• Psalms 27:13I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of Yhwh 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