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Parables · 33 of 45

The Persistent Widow

On the road to Jerusalem

Luke 18:1–8

Luke 18:1–8

1And he told them a parable to show that people should always pray and not lose heart; 2He said, "There was a judge in a certain city who didn't fear God and didn't care what anyone thought of him. 3A widow in that city came to him, saying, 'Avenge me against my adversary.' 4For a long time the judge refused. But eventually he said to himself, 'I don't fear God, and I don't care about people's opinions. 5But this widow keeps bothering me. I'm going to give her justice, or she'll wear me out with her constant visits.'" 6Then the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge said." 7And will not God bring justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night, even though he is patient with them? 8I tell you, he will bring them justice quickly. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Read Luke 18

About this passage

What the parable says

Jesus told this parable to show that people should always pray and not give up. A widow kept coming to an unjust judge, asking for justice. At last he decided to give it to her, because she kept bothering him. Jesus said God will surely bring justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night.

Where this fits

One of 45 passages in Jesus' Parables, in the group “On the road to Jerusalem.”

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