Bible Commentaries
Luke 18

Verse 1

a parable . Both parables peculiar to Luke. Only here that the explanation is put first.

to this end , &c. Greek. pros ( App-104 .) to dein = to the purport that it is necessary, &c.

always . Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 . = on alloccasions. perseveringly.

pray . Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 .

not. Greek. me. App-105 .

to faint = to lose heart, be discouraged, give in, or give up. Greek. egkakeo.

Verse 2

in . Greek. en. App-104 .

God . App-98 .

neither . Greek. me. App-105 .

regarded . Greek. entrepomai. Compare Matthew 21:37 .

man. Greek. anthropos. App-123 .

Verse 3

a widow. were specially cared for under the law. See Exodus 22:22 .Deuteronomy 10:18 . Compare Isaiah 1:17 , Isaiah 1:23 .Malachi 3:5 .Acts 6:1 ; Acts 9:41 . 1 Timothy 5:3 , &c.

came = kept coming, or repeatedly came.

unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .

Avenge me = Do me justice from. Greek ekdikeo. Occurs here, Luke 18:5 .Romans 12:19 . 2 Corinthians 10:6 . Revelation 6:10 ; Revelation 19:2 .

of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

Verse 4

would not = did not wish to. App-102 .

not . Greek. ou. App-105 . afterward after (Greek. meta. App-104 .) these things.

within = to. Greek. en. App-104 .

Verse 5

because. Greek dia. App-104 .Luke 18:2 .

continual . Greek. eis telos = to the end.

weary me = pester, litearl. give me a blow under the eye. Greek. hupopiazo. Occurs only here and in 1 Corinthians 9:27 ("buffet ").

Verse 6

the unjust judge = the judge of injustice. Greek. adikia. App-128 .

Verse 7

And shall not God = And God, shall He not.

not. Greek. ou me. App-105 .

elect : i.e. His own people.

He bear long = He delayeth. The unjust judge delayed from selfish indifference. The righteous God may delay from a divinely all-wise purpose.

with = over. Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 18:11 , Luke 18:27 .

Verse 8

He will avenge = He will perform the avenging (Greek. ekdikesis. Compare Luke 18:5 ) of. Compare Psalms 9:12 , Isaiah 63:4 .Hebrews 10:37 .

the Son of man. App-98 .

faith = the faith.

on . Greek. epi. App-104 .

the earth . Greek. ge. App-129 .

Verse 9

certain = some also.

in . Greek. epi. App-104 .

despised = made nothing of.

others = the rest. See Luke 8:10 .

Verse 10

went up . It was always "up "to the Temple on Mount Moriah. Compare "went down" (Luke 18:14 ).

into . Greek. eis. App-104 .

Pharisee . See App-120 .

other . The different one. Greek heteros. App-124 . publican. See note on Matthew 5:46 .

Verse 11

stood = took his stand, or took up his position (by himself).

and prayed = and began to pray.

thus = these things.

with = to. Greek. pros. App-104 .

extortioners . Like this tax-gatherer.

unjust . Like the judge of verses: Luke 18:2-5 .

Verse 12

twice in the week . The law prescribed only one in the year (Leviticus 16:29 . Numbers 29:7 ). By the time of Zechariah 8:19 there were four yearly fasts. In our Lord's day they were bi-weekly (Monday and Thursday), between Passover and Pentecost; and between the Feast of Tabernacles and the Dedication.

all. The law only prescribed corn, wine, oil, and cattle (Deuteronomy 14:22 , Deuteronomy 14:23 . Compare Matthew 23:23 ).

possess = gain, acquire. Not a word about his sins. See Proverbs 28:13 .

Verse 13

standing : i.e. in a position of humility.

afar off. Compare Psalms 40:12 .Ezra 9:6 .

not . . . so much as = not even. Greek. ou ( App-105 .) oude.

unto . Greek. eis. App-104 .

heaven = the heaven. Singular. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

smote, &c. = was smiting, &c., or, began to smite. Expressive of mental grief. Compare Luke 23:48 . Jeremiah 31:19 . Nahum 2:7 .

upon . Greek. eis; but all the texts omit.

be merciful = be propitiated or reconciled (through the atoning blood sprinkled on the mercy-seat). Greek. hilaskomai. Compare Exodus 25:17 , Exodus 25:18 , Exodus 25:21 .Romans 3:25 .Hebrews 2:17 . Used in the Septuagint in connexion with the mercy-seat (Greek. hilasterion). Hebrews 9:5 .

a sinner = the sinner (compare 1 Timothy 1:15 ). Greek. hamartolos. Compare App-128 .

Verse 14

to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .

justified. Reckoned as righteous.

rather than . The texts read "compared with", Greek. para. App-104 .

the other = that one.

for , &c. Repeated from Luke 14:11 . Compare Habakkuk 2:4 .

Verse 15

And they brought , &c. As in Matthew 19:13-15 , and Mark 10:13-16 . A common custom for mothers to bring their babes for a Rabbi's blessing.

also infants = infants also.

infants = their babes. See App-108 .

touch . Supplemental in Luke.

saw . Greek. eidon. App-133 .

Verse 16

Jesus. See App-98 .

little children . App-108 .

the kingdom of God . App-112 and App-114 .

Verse 17

Verily . See note on Matthew 5:18 .

in no wise. Greek. ou me. App-105 .

therein = into ( App-104 .) it.

Verse 18

And a , &c. As in Matthew 19:16-30 . Mark 10:17-31 .

ruler . Supplemental. Not so described in Matthew or Mark.

Master = Teacher. App-98 . Luke 18:1 .

eternal . See App-151 .

life . Greek. zoe. App-170 .

Verse 19

Why , &c. See note on Matthew 19:17 .

Verse 20

knowest . Greek. oida. App-132 .

Verse 21

All these. See note on Matthew 19:20 .

Verse 22

Yet lackest, &c. = Still one thing is lacking to thee.

that = whatsoever.

the poor. App-127 . See note on John 12:8 .

heaven . No Art. Singular. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

come = come hither.

Verse 23

he was = he became. Compare Mark 10:22 .

very rich = rich exceedingly.

Verse 24

when Jesus saw that he was = Jesus seeing ( App-133 .) him becoming.

hardly = with difficulty.

shall they = do they.

Verse 25

camel. See note on Matthew 19:24 . Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 18:1 .

Verse 26

can = is able to.

Verse 27

impossible , &c. See note on Matthew 19:26 . with. Greek para. App-104 .

possible . Compare Job 42:2 .Jeremiah 32:17 . Zechariah 8:6 .

Verse 28

Lo. Greek idou. App-133 . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

have left = left

all. The critical texts read "our own", marking a particular case (Luke 5:11 ). Compare Deuteronomy 28:8-11 .

Verse 29

or . Note the Figure of speech Paradiastole ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

Verse 30

manifold more . Greek. pollaplasion. Occurs only here.

this present time = this very season.

the world to come = the age that is coming.

world = age. See App-129 .

everlasting. App-151 .

Verse 31

Then, &c. For verses: Luke 18:31-34 , compare Matthew 20:17-19 , and Mark 10:32-34 . The fourth announcement of His rejection (see the Structure G A, p. 1461), containing additional particulars.

Then = And. No note of time.

Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ). Same word as "Lo", Luke 18:28 .

are written = have been and stand written.

by = by means of, or through. Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 18:1 .

concerning = for: i.e. for Him to accomplish.

Verse 32

be delivered, &c. These particulars (in verses: Luke 18:32 , Luke 18:33 )are supplementary to the former three announcements. See the Structure (p. 1461).

Verse 33

rise again. App-178 .

Verse 34

understood none , &c. As in Luke 9:43-45 . Compare Mark 9:32 .

none = nothing. Greek. oudeis.

saying. Greek. rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .

from . Greek. apo. App-104 .

neither knew they = and they did not ( App-105 ) know ( App-132 .)

Verse 35

And it came to pass , &c. Not the same miracle as in Matthew 20:29-34 , or Mark 10:46-52 . See App-152 .

as He was come nigh = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) His drawing near. In Mark 10:46 , "as He went out". a certain, &c. Not the same description as in Matthew 20:30 , or Mark 10:46 .

sat = was sitting (as a custom).

by = beside. Greek. para. App-104 .

begging . So Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46 ); but not the two men (Matthew 20:30 ). Greek prosaiteo. Occurs only here. Mark 10:46 . John 9:8 , but all the texts read epaiteo, as in Luke 16:3 .

Verse 36

he asked = he kept asking (Imperative mood) He knew not; but the other two heard and knew.

Verse 37

of Nazareth = the Nazarsean.

passeth by = is passing by.

Verse 38

cried = called out.

Son of David . App-98 . Compare the call of the other men ( App-152 ).

mercy = pity.

Verse 39

went before rebuked. Those who go before the Lord (instead of following) are apt to make mistakes.

cried = continued calling (Imperative mood) Not the same word as in Luke 18:38 .

Verse 40

stood = stopped.

commanded . . . brought. The other man the Lord commanded to be "called" (Mark 10:49 ). The two were called by Himself (Matthew 20:32 ).

to be brought unto. Greek. acid pros. Used by Luke also in Luke 4:40 ; Luke 19:35 . He uses prosago in Luke 9:41 .Acts 16:20 ; Acts 27:27 .

come near . The one in Mark 10:50 . The two were already near (Matthew 20:32 ).

asked. Greek. eperotao. Compare App-134 .

Verse 41

wilt = desirest. See App-102 .

Lord. See App-98 . B. a.

Verse 42

saved = healed. See on Luke 8:36 .

Verse 43

immediately. See Luke 1:64 .