Luke 18
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
Pray And Don’t Lose Heart: God Will Avenge His People
18 And He was speaking a parable to them with-regard-to[a] it being necessary that they always be praying and not losing-heart, 2 saying, “There was in a certain city a certain judge not fearing God and not having-regard-for[b] the person. 3 And there was a widow in that city. And she was coming to him, saying, ‘Avenge[c] me from my adversary’. 4 And he was not willing for a time. But after these things, he said within himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor have regard for the person, 5 yet because of this widow’s causing me trouble, I will avenge her— in order that she, while continually[d] coming, may not be wearing me out’”. 6 And the Lord said, “Listen-to what the unrighteous judge is saying[e]. 7 And shall not God execute vengeance[f] for His chosen ones— the ones crying-out to Him by day and by night and He is being patient[g] with them? 8 I say to you that He will execute vengeance for them quickly. However, the Son of Man having come, will He find faith[h] on the earth?”
Two Men In Prayer: One Exalts Himself, The Other Begs For Mercy
9 And He also spoke this parable to some putting-confidence upon themselves that they were righteous, and treating the rest with contempt— 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-collector. 11 The Pharisee, having stood[i], was praying these things to[j] himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not just-like the rest of the people— swindlers, unrighteous ones, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week. I give-a-tenth-of all that I get’. 13 But the tax collector, standing at-a-distance, was not willing even to lift-up his eyes to heaven, but was striking his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful[k] to me, the sinner!’ 14 I say to you, this one went-down[l] to his house having been declared-righteous, rather-than that one. Because everyone exalting himself will be humbled, but the one humbling himself will be exalted”.
Permit The Children To Come, For of Such Is The Kingdom of God
15 And they were also[m] bringing babies[n] to Him in order that He might touch them. But having seen it, the disciples were rebuking them[o]. 16 But Jesus summoned them[p], saying, “Permit the children to be coming to Me, and do not be forbidding them. For the kingdom of God is of [q] such ones. 17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter into it”.
A Rich Ruler Asks What To Do To Inherit Life. Sell All You Have And Follow Me
18 And a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, [by] having done what shall I inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One— God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit-adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give-false-testimony, be honoring your father and mother’”. 21 And the one said, “I kept these all from my youth”. 22 And having heard it, Jesus said to him, “One thing is still lacking for you— Sell all that you have and distribute it to poor ones, and you will have treasure in the heavens. And come, be following Me”. 23 But the one, having heard these things, became deeply-grieved. For he was extremely rich. 24 And having seen him having become deeply grieved, Jesus said, “How difficultly the ones having wealth come into the kingdom of God. 25 For it is easier that a camel enter through an opening of a needle than[r] that a rich one enter into the kingdom of God”.
All Who Leave Behind Anything For Me Will Receive Back Many Times As Much
26 And the ones having heard it said, “Who indeed can be saved?” 27 And the One said, “The things impossible with humans are possible with God”. 28 And Peter said, “Behold— we, having left our own things, followed You”. 29 And the One said to them, “Truly I say to you[s] all that there is no one who left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will by any means not receive back many-times-as-much in this time, and in the coming age— eternal life”.
Jesus Predicts His Death And Resurrection
31 And having taken aside the twelve, He said to them, “Behold— we are going up to Jerusalem. And all the things having been written by the prophets for the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 For He will be handed-over to the Gentiles. And He will be mocked and mistreated and spit-on. 33 And having whipped Him, they will kill Him. And on the third day, He will rise-up”. 34 And they understood none of these things. Indeed this statement had been hidden from them, and they were not coming-to-know[t] the things being said.
A Blind Man Begs Mercy From The Messiah, And Receives His Sight
35 And it came about during His drawing-near to Jericho, that a certain blind one was sitting beside the road, begging. 36 And having heard a crowd proceeding through, he was inquiring as to what this might be. 37 And they reported to him that “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by”. 38 And he shouted, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have-mercy-on me!” 39 And the ones preceding Him were rebuking him in order that he might be silent. But he was crying out by much more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And having stood [still], Jesus ordered that he be brought to Him. And he having drawn near, He asked him, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” 42 And the one said, “Master— that I may see-again!” And Jesus said to him, “See-again! Your faith has restored you”. 43 And at once he saw-again. And he was following Him, glorifying God. And all the people, having seen it, gave praise to God.
Footnotes
- Luke 18:1 Or, so-as to show them that they must always.
- Luke 18:2 Or, respecting. This judge followed his own mind.
- Luke 18:3 Or, Grant me justice. Depending on the issue, this widow could mean ‘Punish him for his crime’, ‘Protect me from his attack’, or, ‘Make him fulfill his contract’.
- Luke 18:5 Or, while coming she may not be completely (or, eventually) wearing me out.
- Luke 18:6 The judge is saying he will answer because of her continual coming and persistent asking.
- Luke 18:7 Or, punishment.
- Luke 18:7 Unlike the unrighteous judge who only answered out of impatience, God is patient with those crying out to Him. Or, and He is delaying [to act] for them? (from their point of view). Or, night? And is He delaying over them?
- Luke 18:8 Or, faithfulness. Lit, the faith. That is, the faith spoken of in this parable, which prays and does not lose heart; or more broadly, a true faith in God that would act in this way. No answer is implied by the grammar of the question.
- Luke 18:11 Or, stood by himself, was praying these things.
- Luke 18:11 Or, with-reference-to.
- Luke 18:13 Lit, be propitiated to me. That is, turn away your wrath from me, and thus, be merciful to me, forgive me, pardon me.
- Luke 18:14 The temple was ‘up’, v 10.
- Luke 18:15 Or, even.
- Luke 18:15 Or, infants.
- Luke 18:15 That is, the ones bringing the babies.
- Luke 18:16 That is, the babies.
- Luke 18:16 That is, made up of; or, belonging to.
- Luke 18:25 That is, it is impossible apart from God, as Jesus says next.
- Luke 18:29 This word is plural.
- Luke 18:34 Or, understanding.
Luke 18
New King James Version
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men (A)always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor [a]regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, [b]‘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 (B)yet because this widow troubles me I will [c]avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And (C)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 (D)that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 Also He spoke this parable to some (E)who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee (F)stood and prayed thus with himself, (G)‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; (H)for everyone who exalts himself will be [d]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children(I)
15 (J)Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for (K)of such is the kingdom of God. 17 (L)Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler(M)
18 (N)Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but (O)One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: (P)‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ (Q)‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
21 And he said, “All (R)these things I have kept from my youth.”
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. (S)Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
With God All Things Are Possible(T)
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, (U)“How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”
27 But He said, (V)“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
28 (W)Then Peter said, “See, we have left [e]all and followed You.”
29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, (X)there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 (Y)who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection(Z)
31 (AA)Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things (AB)that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be [f]accomplished. 32 For (AC)He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
34 (AD)But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.
A Blind Man Receives His Sight(AE)
35 (AF)Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. 36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, (AG)Son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41 saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
42 Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; (AH)your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, (AI)glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Footnotes
- Luke 18:2 respect
- Luke 18:3 Avenge me on
- Luke 18:5 vindicate
- Luke 18:14 put down
- Luke 18:28 NU our own
- Luke 18:31 fulfilled
Luke 18
Legacy Standard Bible
Parables on Prayer
18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they (A)ought to pray and not to (B)lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a certain judge who did not fear God and did not (C)respect man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice from my opponent.’ 4 And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor (D)respect man, 5 yet (E)because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice, lest by continually coming she [a](F)wears me out.’” 6 And (G)the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge *said. 7 Now, will God not (H)bring about justice for His (I)elect who cry to Him day and night, [b]and will He (J)delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, (K)will He find that faith on the earth?”
9 And He also told this parable to some people who (L)trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and (M)viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men (N)went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee (O)stood and was praying these things to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I (P)fast twice a week; I (Q)pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, (R)standing some distance away, (S)was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but (T)was [c]beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be [d]merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other, (U)for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 (V)And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they were rebuking them. 16 But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I say to you, (W)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
The Rich Young Ruler
18 (X)And a ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments, ‘(Y)Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22 And when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack: (Z)sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have (AA)treasure in heaven. And come, follow Me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 And Jesus looked at him and said, “(AB)How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For (AC)it is easier for a camel to [e]go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 But He said, “(AD)The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”
28 And Peter said, “Behold, (AE)we have left all that is our own and followed You.” 29 And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, (AF)there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more at this time and in (AG)the age to come, eternal life.”
31 (AH)But when He took the twelve aside, He said to them, “Behold, (AI)we are going up to Jerusalem, and (AJ)all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be [f]completed. 32 (AK)For He will be [g]delivered over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, 33 and after they have flogged Him, they will kill Him, and the third day He will rise again.” 34 But (AL)the disciples understood none of these things, and this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.
Bartimaeus Regains His Sight
35 (AM)Now it happened that as [h](AN)Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging. 36 Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was. 37 They reported to him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he called out, saying, “Jesus, (AO)Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who went ahead were rebuking him so that he would be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “(AP)Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him, and when he came near, He questioned him, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42 And Jesus said to him, “[i]Receive your sight; (AQ)your faith has [j]saved you.” 43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, (AR)glorifying God. And when (AS)all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.
Footnotes
- Luke 18:5 Lit hit me under the eye
- Luke 18:7 Or and yet He is very patient toward them
- Luke 18:13 A traditional sign of mourning or contrition
- Luke 18:13 Or propitious
- Luke 18:25 Lit enter
- Luke 18:31 Or finished, cf. 12:50
- Luke 18:32 Or betrayed
- Luke 18:35 Lit He
- Luke 18:42 Lit Regain
- Luke 18:42 Or made you well
Luke 18
New International Version
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.(A) 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice(B) against my adversary.’
4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”(C)
6 And the Lord(D) said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out(E) to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man(F) comes,(G) will he find faith on the earth?”
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness(H) and looked down on everyone else,(I) Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray,(J) one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself(K) and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast(L) twice a week and give a tenth(M) of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast(N) and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’(O)
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”(P)
The Little Children and Jesus(Q)
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child(R) will never enter it.”
The Rich and the Kingdom of God(S)
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(T)
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[a]”(U)
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor,(V) and you will have treasure in heaven.(W) Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!(X) 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”(Y)
28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”(Z)
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come(AA) eternal life.”(AB)
Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time(AC)
31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem,(AD) and everything that is written by the prophets(AE) about the Son of Man(AF) will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles.(AG) They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33 they will flog him(AH) and kill him.(AI) On the third day(AJ) he will rise again.”(AK)
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.(AL)
A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight(AM)
35 As Jesus approached Jericho,(AN) a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”(AO)
38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David,(AP) have mercy(AQ) on me!”
39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”(AR)
40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.
42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”(AS) 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.(AT)
Footnotes
- Luke 18:20 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
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