Tyndale Open Study NotesLuke 18

The 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.

a judge who neither feared God nor respected men: The two most important attributes for a good judge are regard for justice (fear of God), and compassion for people (see 2 Chronicles 19:6–7). This judge had neither.

• a widow: God cares for widows, orphans, and foreigners. These were the most vulnerable people in ancient society. He has promised to judge those who treat them badly (Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 10:18; 24:17; 27:19; Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 1:23; 10:2; Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 22:7; Amos 5:10–13; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5).

• Give me justice: The woman was right in this dispute. She was not asking for special treatment.

keeps pestering me: This vivid Greek expression literally means “striking the eye” or “giving me a black eye,” like a boxer hitting an opponent. It describes someone being worn down by constant persistence.

Will not God bring about justice: If persistence resulted in justice from this unjust judge, how much more will God, who loves both people and justice, answer our prayers.

• When the Son of Man returns: This refers back to the vision in Daniel 7:13–14.

• will He find faith on earth?: The question is whether believers will remain faithful to God during the difficulties that happen before the second coming of the Son of Man (see Matthew 24:10–12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1).

The topic of prayer (18:1–8) leads into this parable about the right attitude for approaching God.

a tax collector: See study note on 3:12.

I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire: Fasting (not eating food) and tithing (giving a tenth of one's income) were signs of religious devotion in Judaism. The law required fasting only once a year (Leviticus 16:29–31). But many devout Jews in the time of Jesus fasted twice a week (see also Luke 5:33; 11:41–42).

he beat his breast: This action showed deep sorrow and repentance (turning away from sin).

• Jesus concluded that only the tax collector went home justified before God. This would have surprised the people listening to Jesus, who considered Pharisees righteous and tax collectors evil.

• everyone who exalts himself will be humbled: See 1:52–53; 6:21, 25; 10:15; 14:11; 16:19–31.

• This incident illustrates 18:14.

• they rebuked those who brought them: In this cultural setting, children had little social importance (see study note on 9:48). Because of this, the disciples saw them as interrupting the important ministry of Jesus.

receive the kingdom of God like a little child: Entrance into the kingdom of God requires childlike faith and dependence on God.

The story of the rich religious leader warns against trusting in riches rather than pledging complete allegiance to God.

• The man was probably a religious leader, not a political ruler.

• what must I do to inherit eternal life?: This question was commonly discussed by the rabbis in the time of Jesus (see 10:27).

Why do you call Me good?: The man called Jesus good as a compliment, but only God is truly good. Jesus challenged the man's understanding of goodness. True goodness requires moral perfection.

You know the commandments: Jesus refers to the fifth through ninth of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12–16; Deuteronomy 5:16–20). These commandments are about relationships between human beings.

All these I have kept: The man’s claim to have kept all the commandments shows that he misunderstood the nature of true goodness.

The man's love for his wealth showed he did not fully obey God. He did not love God or others as God requires (10:25–28). Loving wealth is a form of worshiping false gods (idolatry) (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5).

• How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!: Scripture sometimes describes riches or wealth as a blessing from God (2 Chronicles 1:11–12; Psalms 112:3; 128:2; Proverbs 8:18; Isaiah 61:6). But many passages warn against trusting in riches instead of God (Psalm 62:10; Proverbs 11:28; Jeremiah 9:23–24; 49:4–5).

• the eye of a needle: See study note on Mark 10:25. This is not only difficult, but impossible. No one can be saved while trusting in riches. Salvation comes only by dependence on God (Luke 18:27).

The point of this whole event is that salvation is impossible by human effort, but possible by the grace of God.

we have left all we had to follow You: In contrast to the rich ruler, Peter and the other disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus. Jesus affirmed that they would receive back far more than they had given up.

receive many times more in this age: Their reward would not necessarily be physical, but they would enjoy the blessings that come from spiritual wholeness and a right relationship with God.

This was the last time Jesus predicted his suffering and death before he entered Jerusalem for his final week of ministry (see also 9:22, 44–45; 17:25).

The death of Jesus fulfilled all the predictions of the Old Testament prophets. It was God's plan (Luke 24:25–26, 46; Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28).

The main prophecy about the suffering Messiah is in Isaiah 52:13–53:12. Luke also refers to several Old Testament prophecies, including:

• Psalm 2 in Acts 4:25–26,

• Psalm 16 in Acts 2:25–28,

• Psalm 118:22 in Luke 20:17, and

• Isaiah 50:4–9 in Luke 18:32–33.

will be mocked … will flog Him: See Isaiah 50:6.

The disciples did not understand any of these things: The disciples did not understand that the death of Jesus would bring salvation until after he rose from the dead (see 9:45; 24:13–34).

This story shows again how Jesus cares for the poor and people who had less social status in Israel. It also reminds us that Jesus is the Son of David, the Christ (18:38), shortly before he enters Jerusalem as king (19:28–44).

Jericho was located in an oasis in the Judean wilderness, 30 kilometers (18 miles) northeast of Jerusalem. At 250 meters (820 feet) below sea level, it is the world's lowest city and one of the oldest.

Son of David is a title for the Christ (the Messiah, God's chosen king). The Christ is a descendant of David who will rule on David’s throne forever (see 1:32–33; 2 Samuel 7:11–16; Isaiah 9:6–7; 11:1–5; Jeremiah 23:5–6; 33:15–16; Ezekiel 37:24–25).