Parable · Luke 18:1-8

The Persistent Widow

A widow wears down a judge who fears neither God nor people, simply by not stopping.

Also called The Unjust Judge, The Importunate Widow

The point

Luke tells you the point before the story starts: pray and do not lose heart.

Luke 18:1-8

1Then 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.

3And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

4For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men,

5yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’”

6And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge.

7Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?

8I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Read the whole chapter

Using this at church

Read in church on

Lectionary 29 Year CGospel, Luke 18:1-8

For a newsletter or sermon notes

The parable of the Persistent Widow, explained in plain words. A widow keeps asking an unjust judge until he gives in. https://freescripture.org/parables/persistent-widow/

Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church