Thematic Bible
Luke 18:1 (show verse)
He also told them a parable about the need of always praying and never losing heart.
Luke 18:2 (show verse)
"In a certain town," he said, "there was a judge who had no reverence for God and no respect even for man.
Luke 18:3 (show verse)
And in that town there was a widow who used to go and appeal to him for 'Justice against my opponent!'
Luke 18:4 (show verse)
For a while he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, 'Though I have no reverence for God and no respect even for man,
Luke 18:5 (show verse)
still, as this widow is bothering me, I will see justice done to her ??not to have her for ever coming and pestering me.'
Luke 18:6 (show verse)
Listen," said the Lord, "to what this unjust judge says!
Luke 18:7 (show verse)
And will not God see justice done to his elect who cry to him by day and night? Will he be tolerant to their opponents?
Luke 18:8 (show verse)
I tell you, he will quickly see justice done to his elect! And yet, when the Son of man does come, will he find faith on earth?"
Luke 18:9 (show verse)
He also told the following parable to certain persons who were sure of their own goodness and looked down upon everybody else.
Luke 18:10 (show verse)
"Two men went up to pray in the temple; one was a Pharisee and the other was a taxgatherer.
Luke 18:11 (show verse)
The Pharisee stood up and prayed by himself as follows; 'I thank thee, O God, I am not like the rest of men, thieves, rogues, and immoral, or even like yon taxgatherer.
Luke 18:12 (show verse)
Twice a week I fast; on all my income I pay tithes.'
Luke 18:13 (show verse)
But the taxgatherer stood far away and would not lift even his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'O God, have mercy on me for my sins!'
Luke 18:14 (show verse)
I tell you, he went home accepted by God rather than the other man; for everyone who uplifts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be uplifted."
Luke 18:15 (show verse)
Now people even brought their infants for him to touch them; when the disciples noticed it they checked them,
Luke 18:16 (show verse)
but Jesus called for the infants. "Let the children come to me," he said, "do not stop them: the Realm of God belongs to such as these.
Luke 18:17 (show verse)
I tell you truly, whoever will not submit to the Reign of God like a child will never get into it at all."
Luke 18:18 (show verse)
Then a ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what am I to do to inherit life eternal?"
Luke 18:19 (show verse)
Jesus said to him, "Why call me 'good'? No one is good, no one but God.
Luke 18:20 (show verse)
You know the commands: do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honour your father and mother."
Luke 18:21 (show verse)
He said, "I have observed all these commands from my youth."
Luke 18:22 (show verse)
When Jesus heard this he said to him, "You lack one thing more; sell all you have, distribute the money among the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me."
Luke 18:23 (show verse)
But when he heard that, he was vexed, for he was extremely rich.
Luke 18:24 (show verse)
So Jesus looked at him and said, "How difficult it is for those who have money to enter the Realm of God!
Luke 18:25 (show verse)
Why, it is easier for a camel to get through a needle's eye than for a rich man to get into the Realm of God."
Luke 18:26 (show verse)
His hearers said, "Then whoever can be saved?"
Luke 18:27 (show verse)
He said, "What is impossible for men is possible for God."
Luke 18:28 (show verse)
Peter said, "Well, we have left our homes and followed you!"
Luke 18:29 (show verse)
He said to them, "I tell you truly, no one has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the Realm of God,
Luke 18:30 (show verse)
who does not receive ever so much more in this present world, and in the world to come life eternal."
Luke 18:31 (show verse)
Then he took the twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and all the predictions of the prophets regarding the Son of man will be fulfilled;
Luke 18:32 (show verse)
he will be betrayed to the Gentiles, mocked, illtreated, and spat on;
Luke 18:33 (show verse)
they will scourge him and kill him, but he will rise again on the third day."
Luke 18:34 (show verse)
However, they did not understand a word of this; indeed the saying was hidden from them, and they did not know what he meant.
Luke 18:35 (show verse)
As he approached Jericho, it chanced that a blind man was seated beside the road begging.
Luke 18:36 (show verse)
When he heard the crowd passing he inquired what was the matter,
Luke 18:37 (show verse)
and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by.
Luke 18:38 (show verse)
So he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"
Luke 18:39 (show verse)
The people in front checked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me!"
Luke 18:40 (show verse)
So Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring him, and asked him when he approached,
Luke 18:41 (show verse)
"What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord," he said, "I want to regain my sight."
Luke 18:42 (show verse)
And Jesus said to him, "Regain your sight, your faith has made you well."
Luke 18:43 (show verse)
Instantly he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people gave praise to God when they saw this.