The Parable
of the
Persistent
Widow
Luke 18:1-8
Introduction
• Jesus sometimes used parables to teach
important lessons to His disciples
– An important part of being a disciple is the
ability to communicate with God by prayer
– At least 3 parables are told to teach about
prayer
• “The Friend at Midnight” (Lk 11:5-13)
• “The Persistent Widow” (Lk 18:1-8)
• “The Pharisee and the Publican” (Lk 18:9-14)
The setting
• Luke 17:20-37
– Jesus explains
• That the kingdom will not be physical, but
spiritual
• That the disciples will suffer and wish for Jesus’
return
• That many false Christ’s will appear
• That they will have to be on guard so they are not
led astray
The setting
• Luke 18:1
– Jesus then wanted them to understand the
need for PERSISTENCE in our prayers
• Persistence means not giving up
• The same thing He taught in “The Friend at
Midnight”
• Jesus knows it is easy to become discouraged
• Especially considering the upcoming
persecution
The Parable
• Luke 18:2
– The character of the judge
• Did not fear God nor regard man
• So he is NOT a fair or righteous judge
• Sometimes called “The Parable of the Unjust
Judge”
The Parable
• Luke 18:3
– The distress of the widow
• She has some adversary who has wronged her
• She is seeking “justice”
• Luke 18:4a
– The difficulty she faced
• The judge doesn’t care about justice
• Repeated requests get nowhere at first
The Parable
• Luke 18:4b-5
– The judge finally relents
• Not out of a need for justice
• Not from a sense of right and wrong
• Simply because he is tired of hearing the widow
The parable applied
• Jesus explains the basic point of the parable
by applying the parable
– Luke 18:6-8
• Hear what the unjust judge says
– He did not fear God
– He did not regard man
– But he was moved to action by the widow’s
persistence
• Shall not God avenge His own elect?
– If an UNJUST judge will act because of
persistence
– How much more will a JUST God act
Contrast the petitioners’
relationship to their judges
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Widow
A stranger
Only one
At a distance
An unjust judge
On her own
Pleads her own case
No promise of an
answer
Limited access
Asking provoked the
judge
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Christians
His elect – 1 Pet 2:9-10
We are many
Boldly enter – He 4:15-16
A righteous Father
God is for us – Ro 8:31-32
An advocate – Ro 8:34
We have promises – Lk 18:8
• Unlimited access
• Asking is what God wants –
Mt 7:7-11
God will avenge His elect
• Lk 18:7b
– He may wait a long time, but He will avenge
• Rev 6:9-10
• He is waiting for more to repent – 2 Pet 3:9
• 2 Th 1:7-9
– But vengeance is coming
• 1 Th 5:1-3
– When it comes, there will be no escape
But will there be faith on the earth?
• The Lord will come
– He will avenge His elect
• But during the wait some will give up
– Lack of praying for His return indicates a lack
of faith in His promise
• We don’t believe He will return
• We don’t believe in heaven
• We prefer this world
• Jesus told this parable so that
– We might always pray
– We would not lose heart
Conclusion
• Are you praying?
– Are you praying persistently?
– Are you praying for the Lord’s return?
• God hears those prayers
– Don’t give up
– Don’t lose heart
• He will return as He promised
– We serve and petition a faithful and righteous
God, not an unjust judge