Luke 18:1-7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:2

A judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man - It is no wonder that our Lord calls this person an unrighteous judge, Luke 18:6 . No person is worthy to be put in the sacred office of a judge who does not deeply fear God, and tenderly respect his fellow creatures. Because this person feared not God, he paid no attention to the calls of justice; and because he respected not man, he was unmoved at the complaint of the widow. Even among the heathens this was the character of a man... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:3

Avenge me of mine adversary - The original, εκδικησον με απο του αντιδικου μου , had better be translated, Do me justice against, or vindicate me from, my adversary. If the woman had come to get revenge, as our common translation intimates, I think our blessed Lord would never have permitted her to have the honor of a place in the sacred records. She desired to have justice, and that only; and by her importunity she got that which the unrighteous judge had no inclination to give, but... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:4

He said within himself - How many actions which appear good have neither the love of God, nor that of our neighbor, but only self-love of the basest kind, for their principle and motive! read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:5

She weary me - Ὑπωπιαζῃ με , Stun me. A metaphor taken from boxers, who bruise each other, and by beating each other about the face blacken the eyes. See 1 Corinthians 9:27 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:6

Hear what the unjust judge saith - Our blessed Lord intimates that we should reason thus with ourselves: "If a person of such an infamous character as this judge was could yield to the pressing and continual solicitations of a poor widow, for whom he felt nothing but contempt, how much more ready must God be, who is infinitely good and merciful, and who loves his creatures in the tenderest manner, to give his utmost salvation to all them who diligently seek it!" read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:7

And shall not God avenge his own elect - And will not God the righteous Judge do justice for his chosen? Probably this may refer to the cruel usage which his disciples had met with, and were still receiving, from the disobedient and unbelieving Jews; and which should be finally visited upon them in the destruction of their city, and the calamities which should follow. But we may consider the text as having a more extensive meaning. As God has graciously promised to give salvation to every... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:1

Verse 1 We know that perseverance in prayer is a rare and difficult attainment; and it is a manifestation of our unbelief that, when our first prayers are not successful, we immediately throw away not only hope, but all the ardor of prayer. But it is an undoubted evidence of our Faith, if we are disappointed of our wish, and yet do not lose courage. Most properly, therefore, does Christ recommend to his disciples to persevere in praying. The parable which he employs, though apparently harsh,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:7

Verse 7 7.And shall not God avenge his elect? That judge, whom Christ has described to us as altogether desperate, as not only hardened against the contemplation of God, but so entirely devoid of shame, that he had no anxiety about his reputation, at length opened his eyes to the distresses of the widow We have no reason to doubt that believers will derive, at least, equal advantage from their prayers, provided they do not cease to plead earnestly with God. Yet it must be observed that, while... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint . The formnla ἕλεγε δὲ καί , literally, "and he spake also," calls attention to the fact that the parable-teaching immediately to follow was a continuation of what had preceded. Indeed, the connection between the first of the two parables, which urges restless continued prayer, and the picture which the Lord had just drawn of men's state of utter forgetfulness of God, is obvious. "The Son of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-7

Continuance in prayer: Divine delay. We have first to consider what is— I. THE ARGUMENT IN THE TEXT . It is one from the less to the greater, or rather from the unworthy to the worthy. If a bad man will, for a poor reason, accede to the request of one for whom he cares nothing, how much more certainly will the Righteous One himself, for a good reason, espouse the cause of those who are so dear to him! The reasons for confidence in God's faithfulness and interposition are... read more

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