The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Study note
Jesus tells of a widow who persistently petitions an unjust judge until he grants her justice simply to stop her from wearing him out. Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater: if an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will God bring justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him? The parable encourages believers to pray without giving up, while Jesus' closing question -- 'When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' -- challenges whether people will maintain this persistent trust.
1 Jesus told his disciples a story to make the point that they should keep praying and never quit. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who had no respect for God and did not care what anyone thought of him." Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 "A widow in that city kept coming to him and pleading, 'Stand up for me against the person who is cheating me.'" And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 "For a long time the judge completely ignored her. But eventually he said to himself, 'I do not fear God or care about people,'" And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 "'but this woman is driving me crazy with her constant visits. I am going to rule in her favor so she will stop pestering me.'" Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 The Lord said, "Pay attention to what even this unfair judge did." And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 "If even he gave in, do you not think God will make things right for his own chosen people who cry out to him around the clock? Will he keep dragging his feet?" And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 "I promise you, he will make sure justice is done quickly. But the question remains: when the Son of Man arrives, will he find people on earth who still have faith?" I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Study note
Two men pray in the temple: a Pharisee who thanks God he is not like other sinners and details his religious achievements, and a tax collector who cannot even look up to heaven but beats his chest and prays, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' Jesus declares the tax collector went home justified, not the Pharisee. The one who humbles himself is exalted, and the one who exalts himself is humbled. True prayer begins with honest recognition of our need for mercy.
9 Jesus told this next story to people who were sure they were better than everyone else: And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 "Two men went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector." Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 "The Pharisee stood apart from everyone else and prayed like this: 'God, thank you that I am not like those other people — thieves, cheaters, people who cheat on their spouses. And I am definitely not like that tax collector over there.'" The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 "'I skip meals twice every week as an act of worship, and I give you ten percent of everything I earn.'" I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 "But the tax collector stood way in the back. He could not even bring himself to look toward heaven. He kept hitting his chest and saying, 'God, please have mercy on me. I am such a sinner.'" And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 "I am telling you, the tax collector -- not the Pharisee -- went home made right with God. Because anyone who puffs themselves up will be brought down, and anyone who humbles themselves will be lifted up." I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Jesus Blesses the Children
Study note
When people bring infants to Jesus for His touch and the disciples try to stop them, Jesus insists the children come to Him, declaring that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child. Childlike faith -- trusting, dependent, and unpretentious -- is not merely admirable but essential for entering the kingdom.
15 Parents were bringing their babies and small children to Jesus, wanting him to touch and bless them. But the disciples tried to shoo them away. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 Jesus called the children right over and said, "Let the little kids come to me. Do not send them away. God's kingdom is made up of people just like them." But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 "This is the truth: if you do not welcome God's kingdom with the simple trust of a little child, you will never get in." Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
The Rich Ruler and the Cost of Treasure
Study note
A wealthy ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus lists the commandments, and the man claims to have kept them all. Jesus then tells him to sell everything and give to the poor, and the man goes away sad because he is very rich. Jesus observes how hard it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom -- harder than a camel passing through a needle's eye. When people ask who then can be saved, Jesus replies that what is impossible with people is possible with God. Peter notes that the disciples have left everything, and Jesus promises abundant reward.
18 One of the community leaders asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what do I need to do to have eternal life?" And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? Only God is truly good." And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20 "You know the commands. Do not cheat on your spouse. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not lie about others. Show respect to your father and mother." Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
21 The man replied, "I have followed all of these ever since I was a boy." And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said, "There is still one thing missing. Go sell everything you own and hand the money out to people in need. That will give you treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me." Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 When the man heard this, a wave of sadness came over him because he had an enormous amount of wealth. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24 Jesus watched him and said, "It is so hard for wealthy people to get into God's kingdom." And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 "A camel can go through the eye of a needle more easily. It is that hard for a rich person to enter God's kingdom." For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 The people listening asked, "If that is true, then who can possibly be saved?" And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27 Jesus said, "What is not possible for people is fully possible for God." And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
28 Peter spoke up, "We walked away from everything we had to follow you." Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
29 Jesus told them, "I am telling you the truth. Everyone who has given up their home, parents, brothers, sisters, spouse, or children for God's kingdom" And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
30 "will get back many times more during this lifetime, and in the world to come, they will receive eternal life." Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Third Prediction of the Passion
Study note
Taking the twelve aside, Jesus tells them plainly that everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will be fulfilled in Jerusalem: He will be mocked, insulted, spit upon, whipped, and killed, but on the third day He will rise. Luke emphasizes that the disciples understood none of this -- the meaning was hidden from them. This repeated incomprehension highlights how unexpected and counterintuitive a crucified Messiah was.
31 Jesus pulled the twelve aside privately and said, "Pay attention -- we are heading to Jerusalem. Everything the prophets wrote about the Son of man is about to come true." Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 "He is going to be handed over to people who are not Jewish. They will make fun of him, insult him, and spit in his face." For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
33 "They will beat him with whips and kill him. But on the third day, he will come back to life." And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 The disciples did not understand any of it. The meaning was completely hidden from them, and they could not figure out what he was talking about. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Healing of the Blind Man Near Jericho
Study note
Near Jericho, a blind beggar hears that Jesus is passing by and cries out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' When the crowd tries to silence him, he shouts even louder. Jesus stops, asks what he wants, and heals him. The man's persistent, desperate faith -- refusing to be silenced -- mirrors the persistent widow earlier in the chapter. He follows Jesus, glorifying God, and all the people praise God when they see it.
35 As Jesus got near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging for money. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36 He heard a large crowd passing by and asked what was going on. And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37 People told him, "Jesus from Nazareth is walking past." And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38 He started yelling, "Jesus, Son of David, please have mercy on me!" And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
39 People at the front of the crowd tried to hush him up, but he only shouted louder: "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
40 Jesus stopped walking and asked for the man to be brought over. When he was close, Jesus asked him, And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 "What would you like me to do for you?" The man said, "Lord, I want to be able to see." Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42 Jesus told him, "Then see! Your faith has saved you." And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
43 Instantly the man could see. He followed Jesus, giving glory to God every step of the way. When the crowd saw what happened, they praised God too. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.