Luke 18 Bible study

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The Gospel of Luke Chapter 18:1-43 Faithfulness and Prayer 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

IT is easy to become disheartened when we are praying for something for a long time but do not see the answer. Jesus encourages us through this parable always to persist in prayer, without becoming discouraged. As we shall see in verse eight faithfulness in prayer is an important part of God’s plan for his people.

18:2-5 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' "

In a certain town, a magistrate lived who had no fear of God and who gave no thought to other people. A widow from that town continually pestered the magistrate to hear her civil petition. We are not told the details, but clearly she was on the receiving end of some kind of injustice. She expected the judge to act on her behalf to do what was right in the sight of God. 18:6-8 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?

Jesus wanted his disciples to take a lesson, not so much from the judge as from the persistence of such a woman who never gave up until she received an answer. God is righteous, the judge of all the earth (Gen. XX); he will hear the cry of his own people, defending, protecting and avenging them for any injustice done to them. Jesus words intimate that God will not put them off or delay in granting his help on their behalf (Rev. 6:10; 2 Thess. 1:6; Rom. 12:19).

After giving this parable to his disciples, Jesus challenges them with a question: when He comes again will He find faith on the earth? In the face of opposition, persecution, hardship and trials, persisting in prayer is a vital to enable us to stand firm in the faith in spite of all things, and to do so even when answers to our prayers do not immediately come (Heb. 4: 14, 10:23).

Saved by Grace Alone 18:9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Jesus told another parable to those who were confident of their own self-righteousness and who looked down on others, seeing their faults whilst ignoring their own.

18:10-14 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men— extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus compares two men who went up to the temple to pray, one a self-righteous Pharisee and the other tax collector (considered a terrible sinner by Jews at that time). As the Pharisee stood before God, he actually boasted that he was not a sinner like other men—especially not like the tax collector who had dared to enter the temple! In doing so he was contradicting God’s word (Eccl.

7:20). Perhaps he had not committed acts of extortion or adultery, but his sin was just as serious in God’s eyes.

Furthermore, the Pharisee boasted that he had kept the commands of God in terms of religious fasting and the scrupulous paying of tithes into the treasury of the temple. Yet recall that Jesus had something to say to the Pharisees about this, for they were practicing the outward rituals of their religion without an inward commitment to God’s love and righteousness (Luke 11:42).

The tax collector, by way of contrast, was too ashamed to draw near to God, or to stand with the ‘righteous’ Pharisee, and so stood at a distance, not daring even to lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed, being convicted in the presence of God of his sin and unworthiness (this conviction is signified by his beating on his breast). With this sense of sin and unworthiness, the tax collector cried on God to be merciful and gracious to him (Romans 10:10).

The point of the parable is that God heard the tax collector’s prayer, and as he went home he was in a right relationship with his God, being justified as his own repentance and faith was met by God’s forgiveness. Because he had realized that no man is justified before God (Galatians 2:16) and confessed that he was a sinner, God exalted him above the Pharisee, who sought to please God by his own merits. (Eph. 2: 8–9).

Jesus Blesses Children 18:15-17 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

When parents saw that God’s blessing was communicated through the Lord Jesus, and no doubt instinctively appreciating him to be a kind and good man, they brought their children to him, trusting him with laying his hands on them and blessing them. There is no greater good a parent could wish

for their child, and there is no greater blessing a child could have than an encounter with Jesus. I am sure that having been blessed by Jesus, God’s blessing remained on them throughout life.

The disciples, however, thought that Jesus had no time to be bothered with mere children and told the parents to take them away. Unlike Mark, Luke does not mention that the disciples’ actions produced indignation in Jesus; he focusses, as Matthew does, on the invitation Jesus gives for children to be allowed to come to him (see Matt. 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16). Jesus’ words ‘the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these’ is primarily an indication that little children can have faith in Jesus and enter the kingdom of God—they are not dependent on their parents for this, even though the bible also says ‘train up a child in the way it should go and when it is old it will not depart therefrom.’ It is good for parents to bring their children up to follow Jesus. What is more, Jesus indicates that not even an adult can enter the Kingdom of God unless they receive it in simple faith like a little child.

Only God is Able to Save 18:18-20 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: 'do not commit adultery,' 'do not murder,' 'do not steal,' 'do not bear false witness,' 'honor your father and your mother.' "

A rich Jewish ruler (possibly a prince or magistrate) came to Jesus (Matthew tells us that he was also still quite young Matt. 16:20). Addressing Jesus as ‘Good Teacher’ he asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Initially, Jesus rebuffs his flattery (Ps. 12:3), insisting that only God is good, and reminds him of God’s commandments which were intended to bring life to those who kept them.

18:21-23 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth." So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

When the young man insists that he had kept these commandments (concerning adultery, murder, theft, lying and honoring his parents), Jesus turns his attention to the first commandment (Deut. 6:451; Exod. 20:2-3). Jesus does this by indicating that there was still one thing lacking in his life—the most important thing. Being rich, his wealth had taken first place in his life, not God. When Jesus told him sell everything he had and give the proceeds to the poor in order to become his disciple and gain eternal riches, the young man simply could not bring himself to do so, even though the other disciples already had (Matt. 19:27). His sorrow and unwillingness to put God before his wealth indicated that he had not kept the commandments after all—the first command was broken.

Tragically, the young man thought more of his goods than of his soul and eternal things.

18:24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!

As Jesus looked on this man and saw that he was determined to hold on to his possessions he turned to his disciples and told them it is very difficult for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God. 1

Notice how Luke has already intimated the Sh’ma Yisrael in v. 19, where the echo of ‘the Lord our God is one’ is clear.

18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

It doesn't really matter whether the Lord meant a camel literally going through the eye of a needle or (as some suggest) he meant the small gate within a larger gate that only one person could go through at a time. In either case, Jesus is highlighting the impossibility of entering the Kingdom of God without letting go of everything else in order to embrace the one thing that mattered. In addition, Jesus’ following words reveal how impossible it is for anyone to enter the Kingdom of God on their own merit, without the intervention of God. 18:26-27 And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?" But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

When Jesus spoke of the impossibility of a rich person being saved, those near him asked who could be saved. Jesus replied that those things which are impossible with men are possible with God, indicating that no one (rich or poor) can save themselves; salvation is of God and only he can save (Psalm 3:8, Isaiah 43:11, Revelation 7:10).

No Loss 18:28-30 Then Peter said, "See, we have left all and followed You." So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life."

When Peter protests that he and the other disciples had left families, homes and businesses to follow Him, Jesus acknowledge that this was so, and promises in return that whoever has left all to follow Him for the sake of the kingdom of God will receive much more than they have given up, both in this present life and in eternity.

Jesus Foretells His Crucifixion 18:31-33 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."

Jesus took his disciples aside to tell them privately that they were going to Jerusalem, where everything that had been prophesied concerning the Messiah would be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). He would be handed over to the Romans who would mock, insult, and spit in His face (Isaiah 50:6). They will scourge him (Ps. 129:3) and then crucify Him (Ps. 22:16), but on the third day He will rise again (Ps. 16:10).

18:34 But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.

Although they would have been familiar with the scriptures concerning the death of the Messiah, they did not understand their meaning at this time, even when Jesus spoke about them. For now, the significance of what he said was hidden from them, and was only revealed after his resurrection.

Blind Made to See 18:35-38 Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

As Jesus was entering Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, a blind man sat at the roadside begging. Hearing the great commotion as the crowds followed Jesus, he asked the bystanders what all the noise was about. They told Him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. On hearing this he began to cry out, addressing Jesus as the Son of David, and begging him to have mercy on him (Matthew 1:1, Romans 1:3). He had obviously heard all about the mighty miracles Jesus had done, including his giving sight to the blind.

18.39-41 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."

Amazingly the people near this blind man (who would have been making enough noise themselves) told him to shut up and be quiet. Thankfully, this prejudicial attitude did not put the disabled man off. He ignored their insults and shouted all the louder. Jesus heard the cry of this man above all the other voices and stopped, commanding that the man be brought to him. When he had been brought, Jesus asked what he wanted him to do. No doubt Jesus could see that the man was blind, but wanted to stir the man's faith by making him ask for his sight.

18:42-43 Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Having asked for his sight, Jesus simply says ‘receive your sight’; and as the man received the word of Jesus in faith, he was immediately healed and became a follower of Jesus, praising God for his healing. When the people, including those who had earlier told the man to be quiet, they joined in with their hearts and voices giving thanks to God. © Derek Williams & Mathew Bartlett 2015 Bible Studies Online UK www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk You may copy, print or distribute our studies freely in any form, just so long as you make no charges. Sign up today for our FREE monthly Bible study magazine “Living Word” Scriptures taken from the NET Bible www.bible.org