2. feared not . . . neither regarded—defying the vengeance of God and despising the opinion of men. widow—weak, desolate, defenseless (1 Timothy 5:5, which is taken from this). read more
3. came—kept coming. See :-, "her continual coming." Avenge me—that is, rid me of the oppression of. read more
1-5. always—Compare :-, "night and day." faint—lose heart, or slacken. read more
5. continual coming—coming for ever. read more
6-8. the Lord—a name expressive of the authoritative style in which He interprets His own parable. read more
7. shall not God—not unjust, but the infinitely righteous Judge. avenge—redeem from oppression. his own elect—not like this widow, the object of indifference and contempt, but dear to Him as the apple of the eye (Zechariah 2:8). cry day and night—whose every cry enters into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth (Zechariah 2:8- :), and how much more their incessant and persevering cries! bear long with them—rather, "in their case," or "on their account" (as) Zechariah 2:8- :, "for it"), [GROTIUS, DE... read more
8. speedily—as if pained at the long delay, impatient for the destined moment to interpose. (Compare Proverbs 29:1.) Nevertheless, c.—that is, Yet ere the Son of man comes to redress the wrongs of His Church, so low will the hope of relief sink, through the length of the delay, that one will be fain to ask, Will He find any faith of a coming avenger left on the earth? From this we learn: (1) That the primary and historical reference of this parable is to the Church in its widowed, desolate,... read more
The audience for this parable was the disciples (Luke 17:22). Luke identified Jesus’ reason for giving it clearly. He wanted to encourage them to continue praying and not to grow discouraged. The reference to "all times" or "always" (not continuously, but in all circumstances) indicates that the interval between Jesus’ present ministry and His future return is in view (Luke 17:22-37; cf. Luke 18:8). This was, then, instruction concerning what the disciples should do in the inter-advent period... read more
3. The parable of the persistent widow 18:1-8Jesus continued His instruction to the disciples about His return. He told them a parable designed to encourage them to continue praying while they lived in the interval before His second coming. Luke mentioned widows more than all the other Gospel evangelists combined (Luke 2:37-38; Luke 4:25-26; Luke 7:11-17; Luke 18:1-8; Luke 20:45-47; Luke 21:1-4; cf. Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Deuteronomy 16:9-15; Psalms 146:9; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 18:1
1-5. always—Compare :-, "night and day." faint—lose heart, or slacken. read more