PARABLE 35 — LUKE 18:1-17 — THE PERSISTENT WIDOW
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The background for this parable is found in Luke 17:20-37. The Pharisees demanded to know, and asked the Lord, “When will the kingdom of God come?” This question established that the context for all that follows is the coming kingdom. In response the Lord told them that they shouldn’t think of the kingdom as something they could watch for, because the kingdom is “within you.”
When Luke wrote this, the Holy Spirit prompted Him to use an interesting word for the one we translate “within” because it also means “in your midst.” So in the specific sense He was also speaking to the Pharisees, telling them that the personification of the kingdom was standing right there in front of them.
After that He spoke to his disciples about what the days will be like before the Son of man is revealed. (Vs. 22) And he said unto the disciples, “The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.”
He then told them this parable about how we are to pray always and not lose heart (vs. 1).
Discussion Questions – Parable 35
PARABLE 35 — LUKE 18:1-17 — THE PERSISTENT WIDOW
1. Is this parable about persistent prayer?
The set up for the parable in scripture goes this way: “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart.” (Luke 18:1) See? Jesus is aware of how things might sometimes seem as we pray and pray and he wants to give us some behind the scenes information so we won’t get the wrong idea or become discouraged. We lose heart because we don’t understand God’s timing or purpose. We ask questions like, “When... or Why now.... or How could you....? We challenge the justice and goodness of God.
The Parable of the Persistent Widow is especially linked with the final crisis of the last days and the painful circumstances the faithful remnant will face. Prayer will be a major resource for them. Since vengeance is God's alone, they know He will judge their oppressors, but as they wait for deliverance, persevering prayer will be their refreshment and supply of patience. The parable is preceded by Jesus' exhortation on the Christian duty to pray, dedication in prayer, and resisting the temptation to discontinue prayer. It concludes by indicating that prayer is a matter of faith.
It is important to understand that this parable is one of contrasts. If you don’t you will think God must be pestered, argued with and bribed in order to get your prayers answered. The parable is not teaching that. God wants to answer the prayers of his children.
This parable deals with two issues: God’s character and God’s timing. Persistent prayer is the demonstration of faith in the character of God’s attributes and the timing of his actions.
2. What is the meaning of the persistent widow?
In the parable, a poor powerless person (the widow) persists in nagging a corrupt, powerful person (the judge) to do justice for her.
The widow speaks only five words, “avenge me of mine adversary” she does not prevail because of her persuasive plea but because of her persistence.
The widow’s persistence alone leads the judge to act justly. But Jesus indicates that God is the unseen actor. “Will not God grant justice for his chosen ones who cry to him day and night?” (Vs. 7) God can bring about justice in a corrupt world. That is why we must pray and not give up in our work. God can bring miraculous justice in a corrupt world, just as God can bring miraculous healing in a sick world.
His point was that if even a corrupt judge could eventually be persuaded by the persistence of a widow (someone without standing or influence in their day) how much more likely would the Lord be to respond to the persistent prayers of His people?
3. Is God comparing Himself to an “unjust judge”?
If a reader of this parable is not careful, he could judge God as being comparable to the unjust judge, that is, that He will not answer our requests promptly unless we bother Him with constant pleas for help. Actually, Jesus is contrasting the faithfulness of our loving God to the cynical, self-serving, unrighteous judge. The unjust judge is not in any way a good man, but a godless one who is just trying to shield himself from being annoyed.
Jesus is trying to get us to realize God's never-ending love and faithfulness to His children. We are to see, all that God is, the judge is not. God is always willing to hear us and to answer our prayers. He always hears the cries of His own elect or chosen ones. Indeed, God will avenge or vindicate His people.
The point is that, if the unjust judge—who could not have cared less for the widow—at length responded to her cry merely to rid himself of her aggravating requests, then shall not God—who loves His chosen people and gave His Son for us—answer our prayers when we are under trial or in need?
4. What did the Lord mean at the end of verse 8? “... when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?
When He comes He will avenge them speedily, “and will He bear (delay) long over them?” (vs. 7) -- While He may delay, His answer comes speedily. This does not mean they will be answered immediately. It means that when it happens it will happen quickly. Like the coming of the Lord will happen suddenly. Remember that the context is the coming of the Lord in Luke 17. The justice that is going to come speedily is the days the Son of man is revealed.
Persistent prayer is the demonstration of faith in God who, while at times may delay His answers, will always act decisively and justly with respect to His people. God is just. Our part is to wait in faith for Him to deal with the world in justice.
This parable teaches that the only legitimate reason to stop praying for something is the return of Christ (vs. 8). The demonstration of that faith is persistent prayer. When you stop believing a prayer will be answered, you stop praying. You have given up hope. You have no faith.
Pray without ceasing. Ask and it will be given to you. Be persistent, especially when praying for His return. Let the Lord know that at least in some hearts, there’s still faith on Earth. Maybe if enough of us persist in this, we can hasten the day of His coming. Listen!!! You can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah.
Jesus is telling us God rewards our persistence as well. (2 Timothy 4:18) “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom…”
See on blog – Comfort for His Coming
5. Should we pray for the Lord’s return?
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is imminent—it could occur at any time. Peter would not have told the early Christians (v. 7) to watch, had the coming of Jesus Christ not been something that could occur at any moment. From the very founding of the Church, Christians have been told to look for and long for the coming our Lord.
But is there anything we can do to hasten it? Could Jesus’ return happen more quickly because of anything we might do? Listen to Peter again: Therefore…what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:11-12)
Is it possible? Can we hasten His return? I'm inclined to adopt the transitive meaning [the transitive meaning of this verb] “hastening on,” that is, “causing the day of the Lord to come more quickly by helping to fulfill those conditions without which it cannot come…
We are causing the day to come more quickly today when we fulfill the conditions stated in the scriptures …that day being no date inexorably fixed, but one the arrival of which it is free to the church to hasten on by faith and prayer.
See Matt 24:14: The gospel shall be preached in the whole world, “and then shall the end come.” Compare the words of Peter in Acts 3:19, “Repent and be converted… that so there may come seasons of refreshing.”
That makes a lot of sense. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ isn’t a time chiseled in stone that can never, ever be changed. Peter says we’re to be looking for—and hastening—the coming of the day of the Lord. Through our prayers we can cause Jesus Christ to come more quickly than He would have come.
“Thy Kingdom Come”
We have been taught that God’s Kingdom is going to come. But how did Jesus teach us to pray in Matthew 6:10? “Thy Kingdom come.” We’re told to pray for the coming Kingdom.
We know that one day there will be peace in Jerusalem. But there will never be peace in Jerusalem until Jesus, the Prince of Peace, rules upon the throne of David. There won't be peace in the world until there is peace in Jerusalem. When is that going to be? When He comes.
So what does the Bible tell us to do? Psalm 122:6 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” And when you’re praying for the peace of Jerusalem, you’re really praying for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And so Peter says, “Watch and pray.”
Do you remember what the aged apostle John prayed on the Isle of Patmos? God gave him a revelation of all the glories and wonders that would take place when Jesus Christ comes as King of kings and Lord of lords. Then John closes Revelation with these words, the last prayer in the Bible: “Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).
6. What items have dropped off your prayer list that you need to put back on?
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