Thematic Bible
Luke 18:1 (show verse)
Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and never despair.
Luke 18:2 (show verse)
"There was," he said, "in a certain town a judge, who had no fear of God nor regard for man.
Luke 18:3 (show verse)
In the same town there was a widow who went to him again and again, and said 'Grant me justice against my opponent.'
Luke 18:4 (show verse)
For a time the judge refused, but afterwards he said to himself 'Although I am without fear of God or regard for man,
Luke 18:5 (show verse)
Yet, as this widow is so troublesome, I will grant her justice, to stop her from plaguing me with her endless visits.'"
Luke 18:6 (show verse)
Then the Master added: "Listen to what this iniquitous judge says!
Luke 18:7 (show verse)
And God--will not he see that his own People, who cry to him night and day, have justice done them--though he holds his hand?
Luke 18:8 (show verse)
He will, I tell you, have justice done them, and that soon! Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Luke 18:9 (show verse)
Another time, speaking to people who were satisfied that they were religious, and who regarded every one else with scorn, Jesus told this parable--
Luke 18:10 (show verse)
"Two men went up into the Temple Courts to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer.
Luke 18:11 (show verse)
The Pharisee stood forward and began praying to himself in this way--'O God, I thank thee that I am not like other men-- thieves, rogues, adulterers--or even like this tax-gatherer.
Luke 18:12 (show verse)
I fast twice a week, and give a tenth of everything I get to God.'
Luke 18:13 (show verse)
Meanwhile the tax-gatherer stood at a distance, not venturing even 'to raise his eyes to Heaven'; but he kept striking his breast and saying 'O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
Luke 18:14 (show verse)
This man, I tell you, went home pardoned, rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, while every one who humbles himself shall be exalted."
Luke 18:15 (show verse)
Some of the people were bringing even their babies to Jesus, for him to touch them; but, when the disciples saw it, they began to find fault with those who had brought them.
Luke 18:16 (show verse)
Jesus, however, called the little children to him. "Let the little children come to me," he said, "and do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs.
Luke 18:17 (show verse)
I tell you, unless a man receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all."
Luke 18:18 (show verse)
And one of the Presidents asked Jesus this question--"Good Teacher, what must I do if I am to gain Immortal Life?"
Luke 18:19 (show verse)
"Why do you call me good?" answered Jesus. "No one is good but God.
Luke 18:20 (show verse)
You know the commandments--'Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not say what is false about others, Honor thy father and thy mother.'"
Luke 18:21 (show verse)
"I have observed all these," he replied, "from childhood."
Luke 18:22 (show verse)
Hearing this, Jesus said to him: "There is one thing still lacking in you; sell everything that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; then come and follow me."
Luke 18:23 (show verse)
But the man became greatly distressed on hearing this, for he was extremely rich.
Luke 18:24 (show verse)
Seeing this, Jesus said to his disciples: "How hard it is for men of wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!
Luke 18:25 (show verse)
It is easier, indeed, for a camel to get through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God!"
Luke 18:26 (show verse)
"Then who can be saved?" asked those who heard this.
Luke 18:27 (show verse)
But Jesus said: "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
Luke 18:28 (show verse)
"But we," said Peter, "we left what belonged to us and followed you."
Luke 18:29 (show verse)
"I tell you," he answered, "that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, on account of the Kingdom of God,
Luke 18:30 (show verse)
Who will not receive many times as much in the present, and in the age that is coming Immortal Life."
Luke 18:31 (show verse)
Gathering the Twelve round him, Jesus said to them: "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem; and there everything that is written in the Prophets will be done to the Son of Man.
Luke 18:32 (show verse)
For he will be given up to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted and spat upon;
Luke 18:33 (show verse)
They will scourge him, and then put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again."
Luke 18:34 (show verse)
The Apostles did not comprehend any of this; his meaning was unintelligible to them, and they did not understand what he was saying.
Luke 18:35 (show verse)
As Jesus was getting near Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road-side, begging.
Luke 18:36 (show verse)
Hearing a crowd going by, the man asked what was the matter;
Luke 18:37 (show verse)
And, when people told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing,
Luke 18:38 (show verse)
He shouted out: "Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me!"
Luke 18:39 (show verse)
Those who were in front kept telling him to be quiet, but he continued to call out the louder: "Son of David, take pity on me!"
Luke 18:40 (show verse)
Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. And, when he had come close up to him, Jesus asked him:
Luke 18:41 (show verse)
"What do you want me to do for you?" "Master," he said, "I want to recover my sight."
Luke 18:42 (show verse)
And Jesus said: "Recover your sight, your faith has delivered you."
Luke 18:43 (show verse)
Instantly he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus, praising God. And all the people, on seeing it, gave glory to God.