Add parallel Print Page Options

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge

18 Then Jesus[a] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ”[b] And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’(A) 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’(B) 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”(C)

Jesus Blesses Little Children

15 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16 But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”(D)

The Rich Ruler

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(E) 19 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery. You shall not murder. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.’ ”(F) 21 He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money[c] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”(G) 23 But when he heard this, he became sad, for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looked at him[d] and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!(H) 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 it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.”(I)

28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.”(J) 29 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, 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 get back very much more in this age and in the age to come eternal life.”(K)

A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

31 Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.(L) 32 For he will be handed over to the gentiles, and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon.(M) 33 After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” 34 But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.(N)

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar Near Jericho

35 As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth[e] is passing by.” 38 Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”(O) 39 Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”(P) 40 Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me see again.” 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.”(Q) 43 Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God, and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.(R)

Footnotes

  1. 18.1 Gk he
  2. 18.5 Or so that she may not finally come and slap me in the face
  3. 18.22 Gk lacks the money
  4. 18.24 Other ancient authorities read saw that he had become sad
  5. 18.37 Gk the Nazorean

Parables on Prayer

18 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they (A)ought to pray and not (B)become discouraged, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not (C)respect any person. Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my [a]opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor (D)respect any person, yet (E)because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise [b]by continually coming she will (F)wear me out.’” And (G)the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; now, will God not (H)bring about justice for His (I)elect who cry out to Him day [c]and night, and will He (J)delay long for them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, (K)will He find [d]faith on the earth?”

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Now 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 [e]temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee (O)stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, 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 raise his eyes toward heaven, but (T)was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be [f]merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; (U)for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

15 (V)Now they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16 But Jesus called for [g]the little ones, saying, “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not [h]forbid 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 not enter it at all.”

The Rich Young Ruler

18 (X)A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me [i]good? No one is [j]good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments, ‘(Y)Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, “All these things I have kept since my youth.” 22 Now when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; (Z)sell all that you possess and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have (AA)treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy. 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 [k]go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!” 26 Those who heard Him said, “And so who can be saved?” 27 But He said, (AD)The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

28 Peter said, “Behold, (AE)we have left [l]our own homes 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 as much at this time, and in (AG)the age to come, eternal life.”

31 (AH)Now He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, (AI)we are going up to Jerusalem, and (AJ)all the things that have been written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 (AK)For He will be [m]handed over to the Gentiles, and will be ridiculed, and abused, and spit upon, 33 and after they have flogged Him, they will kill Him; and on the third day He will rise.” 34 [n](AL)The disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

Bartimaeus Receives Sight

35 (AM)Now as [o](AN)Jesus was approaching Jericho, a man who was blind was sitting by the road, begging. 36 But when he heard a crowd going by, he began inquiring what this was. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he called out, saying, “Jesus, (AO)Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to 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 asked 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, “Regain your sight; (AQ)your faith has [p]made you well.” 43 And 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

  1. Luke 18:3 Or enemy
  2. Luke 18:5 Or in the end she may come and give me a black eye
  3. Luke 18:7 Or and night? He is also patient toward them
  4. Luke 18:8 Lit the faith
  5. Luke 18:10 I.e., the temple grounds
  6. Luke 18:13 Or propitious
  7. Luke 18:16 Lit them
  8. Luke 18:16 Or prevent
  9. Luke 18:19 I.e., morally, inherently good
  10. Luke 18:19 I.e., morally, inherently good
  11. Luke 18:25 Lit enter
  12. Luke 18:28 Lit our own things
  13. Luke 18:32 Or betrayed to
  14. Luke 18:34 Lit And they themselves
  15. Luke 18:35 Lit He
  16. Luke 18:42 Lit saved you