‏ Luke 18

The Persistent Widow

1 Then [Jesus] told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2 “ - In a certain town there was a judge [who] neither feared God [nor] respected men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice [against] my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God [or] respect men, 5 yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. [Then] she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to [the] words of the unjust judge. 7 {Will} not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8 I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, [when] the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

The Pharisee and Tax Collector

9 To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others {with contempt} , He also told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One [was] a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself [and] prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men— swindlers, evildoers, adulterers— or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week [and] pay tithes of all that I receive.’ 13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up [his] eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast [and] said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this [man] , rather than [the Pharisee] , went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the [one who] humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus Blesses the Children

15 Now [people] were even bringing [their] babies to [Jesus] for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw [this] , they rebuked [those who brought 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 does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

The Rich Young Ruler

18 Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one [is] good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’” ▼

▼Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20

21 “All these have I kept from my youth,” he said. 22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” 23 But when [the ruler] heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy. 24 Seeing [the man’s] sorrow, Jesus said, “How hard [it is] for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard [this] asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But [Jesus] said, “What [is] impossible with man is possible with God.” 28 “Look,” said Peter, “we have left everything we had to follow You.” 29 “Truly I tell you,” [Jesus] replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times more in this age— and in the age to come, eternal life.”

The Third Prediction of the Passion

31 Then [Jesus] took the Twelve {aside} [and] said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. 33 They will flog [Him] [and] kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.” 34 But [the disciples] did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

35 As [Jesus] drew near to Jericho, a blind [man] was sitting beside the road, begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was [happening] . 37 “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. 38 [So] he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” 40 Jesus stopped [and] directed that [the man] be brought to Him. When he had been brought near, [Jesus] asked him, 41 “What do you want Me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “let me see again.” 42 “Receive your sight!” Jesus replied. “Your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed [Jesus] , glorifying God. And all the people [who] saw [this] gave praise to God.