Parable of the Persistent Widow
Luke 18:1-8
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Revelation
Luke.18.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ελεγεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- παραβολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- προς: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- παντοτε: ADV
- προσευχεσθαι: VERB,pres,mp,inf
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- εγκακειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (verbal): Paul's short injunction to 'pray without ceasing' echoes Jesus' command that his followers ought always to pray.
- Colossians 4:2 (verbal): Paul's exhortation to 'devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful' parallels the call to persistent, vigilant prayer in Luke 18:1.
- Luke 11:1 (structural): Earlier in Luke the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray; this teaching-setting frames the later parable that urges continual prayer and perseverance.
- Luke 18:7-8 (structural): The immediate continuation of the parable: the widow's persistence and God's promised vindication directly illustrate and reinforce the command to 'always pray and not lose heart.'
- Matthew 7:7 (thematic): Jesus' teaching 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you' underscores persistent petitioning and trust in God's response, resonating with Luke 18:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to lose heart.
- And he told them a parable to show that they ought always to pray and not to lose heart.
Luke.18.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγων·Κριτης: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m + NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg,neut
- πολει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- φοβουμενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μη: PART
- εντρεπομενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 18:5 (structural): Immediate continuation of the parable (the widow's persistence and the judge's response), showing the judge's unwillingness to act until pressured.
- Luke 18:7-8 (thematic): Jesus contrasts the unjust judge who 'feared not God' with God who will vindicate his elect—implicit theological hinge for the story.
- Psalm 82:2-4 (thematic): Condemns unjust judges who fail to defend the weak—similar critique of rulers who do not fear God or protect the vulnerable.
- Isaiah 1:23 (thematic): Accuses leaders of rebellion and corrupt justice who 'despise the needy'—parallel denunciation of rulers who lack fear of God and regard for people.
- Proverbs 28:16 (thematic): Speaks of a ruler lacking understanding as an oppressor who causes the people to err—reflects the motif of unjust, godless authority in Luke's parable.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.'
- He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people.'
Luke.18.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χηρα: NOUN,nom,sg,fem
- δε: CONJ
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πολει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εκεινη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ηρχετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- λεγουσα·Εκδικησον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,f + VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αντιδικου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Luke 18:1 (structural): Sets the frame for the parable — Jesus tells this story to teach about persistent prayer and not losing heart, introducing the widow’s appeal as an example.
- Luke 18:5 (verbal): Continues the parable’s narrative: the unjust judge grants relief because the widow persistently bothers him — echoes the widow’s request for vindication in v.3.
- Deuteronomy 10:18 (thematic): Attributes to God the defense of the widow and orphan — provides the wider OT background for concern about vindication of widows which the parable addresses.
- Psalm 82:3 (thematic): Calls on judges/defenders to 'give justice to the weak and the fatherless,' paralleling the motif of seeking justice for the vulnerable as in the widow’s plea.
- James 1:27 (thematic): Defines true religion as caring for orphans and widows in their distress — echoes the ethical and devotional concern for widows exemplified by the parable’s focus.
Alternative generated candidates
- And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Avenge me of my adversary.'
- And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
Luke.18.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηθελεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- χρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- εαυτω·Ει: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- φοβουμαι: VERB,pres,mp,ind,1,sg
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εντρεπομαι: VERB,pres,mp,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 3:18 (quotation): Paul quotes the Old Testament phrase “There is no fear of God before their eyes,” which echoes Luke’s description of the unjust judge who “neither feared God.” (verbal parallel used as a citation of the same theme.)
- Psalm 36:1 (Hebrew numbering) / Psalm 35:1 (LXX) (verbal): The Psalmic line “There is no fear of God before his eyes” closely matches Luke’s wording about one who does not fear God, providing the same language used elsewhere in Scripture to describe the godless.
- Deuteronomy 1:17 (structural): Moses’ instruction to judges — not to show partiality or be afraid of any person because judgment belongs to God — serves as a corporate-legal background contrast to Luke’s judge who ‘neither feared God nor respected man.’
- Luke 11:5–8 (thematic): The parable of the persistent friend at midnight parallels the widow story thematically: a reluctant human responder is overcome by persistent petitioning, teaching persistence in prayer and eventual vindication.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man,'
- For a while he would not; but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect anyone,'
Luke.18.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- γε: PART
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- παρεχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- κοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χηραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ταυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- εκδικησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- εις: PREP
- τελος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ερχομενη: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,f
- υπωπιαζη: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
Parallels
- Luke 11:5-8 (verbal): A closely related parable (the friend at midnight) that likewise teaches persistence in petitioning an initially unwilling human to secure what is needed — a literary parallel used to urge continual prayer.
- Luke 18:7-8 (structural): The immediate continuation of the parable: contrasts the unjust judge who grants the widow justice with God’s readiness to vindicate his elect — explicates the point of verse 5.
- Matthew 7:7-11 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching to 'ask, seek, knock' underscores persistence in prayer and God’s willingness to respond, sharing the same pedagogical aim as the widow parable.
- Exodus 22:22-24 (allusion): The OT law forbidding mistreatment of widows and promising that God will hear and punish oppressors provides legal and theological background for the widow’s plea for divine justice.
- Psalm 10:17-18 (thematic): A lament asking God to consider the afflicted and execute vengeance for the fatherless, echoing the theme of God as the vindicator of the vulnerable found in the widow’s appeal.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she wear me out.'
- yet because this widow keeps bothering me I will give her justice, so that by her continual coming she may not wear me out.'
Luke.18.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος·Ακουσατε: NOUN,nom,sg,m+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κριτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αδικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- λεγει·: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 11:5-8 (thematic): Another parable Jesus tells to teach persistence in prayer (friend at midnight); similar logic of repeated asking leading to a response, used to encourage persistent petitioning.
- Matthew 7:7-11 (thematic): Teaching on asking, seeking, knocking contrasts human reluctance with God's readiness to give good gifts — parallels Luke's point that if an unjust judge can be moved, how much more will God respond.
- Deuteronomy 10:18 (allusion): Declares that God executes justice for the fatherless and widow; provides Old Testament background for the moral contrast between the unjust judge and God who cares for widows.
- Exodus 22:22-24 (thematic): Law warning against oppressing widows and promising God’s intervention on their behalf; thematically parallels the widow’s plea for justice and God’s concern for vulnerable petitioners.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says.'
- And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says.
Luke.18.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- μη: PART
- ποιηση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκδικησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εκλεκτων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- βοωντων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- μακροθυμει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- επ᾽αυτοις: PREP,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Revelation 6:10 (thematic): The martyrs cry to God for judgment and vindication—’How long…will you not judge and avenge?’—echoing Luke’s theme of the elect crying day and night for divine justice.
- Luke 11:5-8 (structural): Parable of the persistent friend at midnight teaches persistence in prayer; parallels the widow-parable background and the exhortation that God will respond to those who cry continually.
- Psalm 34:17 (verbal): ‘The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears’ parallels Luke’s language of the elect crying to God and the expectation that God will act on their behalf.
- Psalm 130:1 (thematic): A cry from the depths—’Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD’—resonates with the motif of persistent, urgent pleading (day and night) before God.
- Romans 12:19 (thematic): Paul’s appeal that vengeance belongs to God (‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay’) relates to Luke’s assurance that God will give justice to his elect rather than human retribution.
Alternative generated candidates
- And will not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
- 'And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them?'
Luke.18.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- ποιησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκδικησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ταχει: ADV
- πλην: PREP
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- αρα: PART
- ευρησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 18:1-7 (structural): Immediate context — the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge concludes with the question about the Son of Man finding faith; establishes the contrast between divine justice and human faithlessness.
- Mark 13:26-27 (verbal): Parallel wording and imagery of 'the Son of Man coming' and gathering his elect; echoes eschatological arrival invoked in Luke 18:8.
- Matthew 24:12-13 (thematic): Speaks of moral decay and the need to endure in faith to the end — thematically parallels Jesus' concern whether faith will be found at his coming.
- Luke 21:36 (thematic): Urges watchfulness and prayer so believers may stand before the Son of Man when he comes, connecting persistence in prayer/faith with readiness for his coming.
Alternative generated candidates
- I tell you that he will bring about justice for them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
- I tell you, he will vindicate them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?
And he told them a parable to the effect that they should always pray and not lose heart.
He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people." And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him, saying, "Grant me justice against my adversary."
For a time he refused; but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect anyone,
yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, lest by her continual coming she wear me out." And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them?
I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"