Luke 18:1-8 1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' " 6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

Luke 18:1-8 Prayer Parable of Persistent Widow 1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' " 6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Parable of Persistent Widow Parable of the Importunate Widow Parable of the Unjust Judge Prayer

Parable of the Persistent Widow The Context

The Context The Second Coming & Judgment on Jerusalem (Luke 17:22-37) Coming will be seen by all (vv. 22-24) When he will come (vv. 25-30)? After he suffers (v. 25) Unexpected / unannounced (vv. 26-30) Flee (vv. 31-33) Separation of righteous & wicked (vv. 34-37)

The Context The Second Coming & Judgment on Jerusalem (Luke 17:22-37) How Does Second Coming Relate to Prayer? If it is a while in coming – may seem that God has forgotten his promise (cf. 2 Pet. 3) Danger of losing heart – not praying (18:1) What do while waiting for the second coming? “Much of the preceding discourse is paralled in Matt 24, but this parable is unique to Luke. It shows that he was making an immediate application of Jesus' prophecy. Readiness for his return will be conditioned by prayer.” (The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)

The Context The Second Coming & Judgment on Jerusalem (Luke 17:22-37) How Does Second Coming Relate to Prayer? If it is a while in coming – may seem that God has forgotten his promise (cf. 2 Pet. 3) Danger of losing heart – not praying (18:1) What do while waiting for the second coming? Prayer shows we are maintaining our faith (18:8)

Parable of the Persistent Widow The Context The Point (v. 1)

The Point (v. 1) “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” “This parable has its key hanging at the door; the drift and design of it are prefixed.” (Matthew Henry)

The Point (v. 1) Always Pray Lose Heart Not lose heart Continual praying At all times (v. 7) Not negligent Lose Heart Not praying Grow weary “Give up” (NIV) Discouraged Either Or

Not Discouraged – Waiting For An Answer The Point (v. 1) Not Discouraged – Waiting For An Answer “But this describes the case of one who has been long making request for that which has not yet been granted, and it encourages him to continue in the presentation of his petition, in spite of its apparent uselessness…. “As Edersheim has said, ‘The word ‘always’ must not be understood as if it meant continuously, but in the sense of under all circumstances, however apparently adverse, where it seems as if an answer could not come, and we are therefore in danger of ‘fainting’ or becoming weary.” William Taylor, Parables of our Lord, 416

The Point (v. 1) Not Discouraged – Waiting For An Answer The Need For Prayer We, like the widow, have needs that we cannot supply for ourselves

Parable of the Persistent Widow The Context The Point (v. 1) The Parable (vv. 2-6)

The Parable (vv. 2-6) Characters Unjust Judge (v. 2) No fear of God No respect for man (thus no mercy) No interest in justice Notorious for taking bribes Widow (v. 3) Defenseless & helpless Has an adversary who is continually troubling her “Many writers have noticed the exceeding desolation of the state of widowhood in the East, and the consequent exposure to all manner of oppression.” (R. C. Trench) Had nothing to offer as a bribe Only has one tool – persistence! Adversary (v. 3) Notes on the Parables of our Lord, 177

The Parable (vv. 2-6) Characters The Story Widow’s petition: “Avenge me of my adversary” (v. 3) Continual & persistent (v. 5) Continued even though for a while – Judge did nothing! Judges response: At first – did nothing to help her Delayed what help he did give (v. 4) Concerned only with his own convenience (vv. 4-5) Her persistence would “weary” him (“wear me out” ASV) May mean “lest she assault me” Literally means “beat under the eye” (Robertson) So agrees: Vincent, Taylor, etc. Notes on the Parables of our Lord, 177

Parable of the Persistent Widow The Context The Point (v. 1) The Parable (vv. 2-6) The Application (vv. 7-8)

The Application (vv. 7-8) 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

The Application (vv. 7-8) The Lord will avenge his own who cry (v. 7) This is a contrast – not a comparison “…the argument is not so much from the less to the greater, as from the worse to the better” (William Taylor, 418) If this woman obtained her request – so can we. She intended to wear the judge down He was unjust and uncaring How much more with our great God! God is merciful & caring – wants to avenge his people Even though – appears he is not interposing (v. 7)

The Application (vv. 7-8) The Lord will avenge his own who cry (v. 7) Will the Lord find faith on earth (v. 8)? Faith to continue to pray and not give up (v. 1) Faith that God will do what he says (Luke 17) Faith that God will answer – though takes some time (v. 7) “The inference from the parable is not that we shall be heard because we persevere in prayer; but, rather, that we should persevere in prayer even when the answer appears to be long delayed, because it is God to whom we are praying, and we know that he is always willing to bless, and will ultimately give to us that which is best.” (William Taylor, 420)

The Application (vv. 7-8) The Lord will avenge his own who cry (v. 7) Will the Lord find faith on earth (v. 8)? Faith to continue to pray and not give up (v. 1) Faith that God will do what he says (Luke 17) Faith that God will answer – though takes some time (v. 7) Wait on God – while you wait have faith in him – as expressed in prayer

Parable of the Persistent Widow The Context The Point (v. 1) The Parable (vv. 2-6) The Application (vv. 7-8) The Other Parable (Lk. 11:5-13)

Luke 11:5-13 5 And 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; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; 7 and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

The Other Parable (Lk. 11:5-13) Context – “Teach us to pray” (v. 1) Contrast – not a Comparison If request to unmerciful & uncaring finally is granted – so much more with our Great God! Should continually pray!

Parable of the Persistent Widow The Context The Point (v. 1) The Parable (vv. 2-6) The Application (vv. 7-8) The Other Parable (Lk. 11:5-13)