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Parable of The Importunate Widow and The Judge |
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Luke 18:1-8
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Notes on Customs
What can we know of this widow? First, it must not be assumed that she is an old woman. Girls as young as 13 and 14 were of marriageable age and frequently widows were young. Normal legal proceedings would have been presented before a tribunal, not before a single judge. This indicates that the matter was that of money, which could have been a debt, a pledge, or a portion of inheritance owed to her. Her need to repeatedly go before the judge also indicates that she was poor (unable to give a bribe) and of no great importance. By asking the judge to avenge her is not for vengeance, but to obtain justice in her suit.
This judge was probably Jewish, but not a Jewish judge. All indications are that he is holding the office of judge by Roman authority and thus is a Roman Judge of the law. In the courts of Mesopotamia the judge is called a Cadi. The court would have secretaries who would record the proceedings and also schedule the “court calendar.” It was the practice for the people demanding to have their cases heard to bribe the secretaries to have their business presented that day. The larger the bribe the earlier their case would be presented before the judge. If the widow had had money to pay a clerk she would have obtained justice much sooner. But, as it was, her case never made it pass the clerks.
Language Notes
Verse 1. Always is not limited to mean continuously in time without a break, or to be in a state of constant action. But, it also has the meaning “at all times (plural),” as in any circumstance or place. In this context it is to pray habitually. That is at all times have the habit of praying with regularity. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” This command is the same as praying always. The application is that of frequency and regularity, plus in every circumstance. As an example have a set time for daily prayer. Also make it a habit of instantly praying when situations of life change, either bad or good.
Faint is to grow weary, tire, or to lose heart. This can be caused by discouragement due to patience wearing out (fatigue.) We can lose heart in trials, when the adversity is so enormous that it seems impossible to be overcome.
Verse 3 Avenge is to vindicate; from the word which means to carry out justice. Any sense of vengeance or retaliation is not that of a personal nature but rather that of the administration of the law against the guilty, or deserving.
Verse 5. Troubleth is a word put together by two words, “near” and “pain.” It is a nagging pain that just won’t go away, always near, constant.
Weary is composed of two words which when put together literally means “to hit under the eye” or give a black eye. The figurative sense is to exhaust, wear out, by annoyance or irritation.
Verse 8. faith. Faith has the definite article before it and it should read “the faith.”
Points of the Parable
Rarely is the purpose or aim of a Parable given at it’s beginning. In the opening statement we have the subject of Jesus’ exhortation, “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” The parable is a story to illustrate this message. This is the purpose of the usage of parables, to illustrate the truth of the subject. This point is all too often lost when men interpret the parables to excess.
In the story we have ordinary people who do extraordinary things. The widow is forced by her need to take drastic action and the Judge is uncharacteristically moved by his reaction to her constant nagging. The judge is unjust. He is described as a godless and callous man. And yet apparently he does administer the law justly. His motive in hearing her case is not that of administrating fairness to her, but of selfishness in ridding himself of a nuisance problem. The widow wins out in the end and thus showing her wisdom in persistency. Her problem was twofold, her adversary’s wrong and the judge’s indifference.
The Interpretation
No interpretation seems to be necessary for this parable. All of the focus is on the application of the lesson it illustrates. Of all the authors I have read not one has made any allegory of the persons or events of the story. Even though some make the widow to be typical of all those in need but they stop short of identifying her as God’s elect mentioned in verse 7.
There was a question, which did come up among the various authors as to who is the main character of the story. Because Christ draws attention to the judge when He said, “Hear what the unjust judge saith,” some suggest that the judge is the focal character. They put the emphasis on the contrast between God and this man. The other view is that the main character is the widow. This seems to be more in line with the intent of the parable to illustrate the lesson “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” The judge has no qualities about him to recommend him as any kind of model, unless it is that of a dismal example of what is just. However, the wisdom and actions of the woman are commendable and present a good model. Strictly speaking she did not formally pray to the judge, but she presented her petition to him. This is certainly one of the elements contained in prayers to God. So the main attention is drawn to her.
The Application
Jesus asks two questions. The first question is really a rhetorical question (a question asked which requires no answer because the answer is obvious) but the second does require thought be given, due to its seriousness and gravity.
His First Question. Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Is Jesus equating the unjust judge with God the Father? If the unrighteous judge begrudgingly answers the pleas of a needy person, how much more will God hear the requests for justice, or vindication, by His own, which He loves and is very sympathetic towards? The phrase “which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them” makes it clear that God has withheld an immediate answer to these petitions. How long before He will act is not the point, but rather He will eventually avenge, bring His judgment. With the woman results were achieved by her persistence. Frankly she outlasted the judge and got her way. Is this the lesson, which Jesus intends? Are we supposed to wear down God by persistent and endless prayers until we get our way? It is true that there are some examples when God was so influenced by a persistent plea that He did grant what was withheld. But these times are the exception rather than the rule. The righteous are not heard for their much speaking but because they are righteous (1 Peter 3:12). God hears the first time and does not forget. Our own great burden and great grief can compel us to constantly repeat our prayers. Hopefully we do this not because we doubt Him, but because He is our friend and know He cares. We need a friend to comfort us in our distresses. God is patience with us, and because of His loving understanding He bears long with us.
The point of “not to faint,” not to become weary in our approach to God, is to strengthen us in our faith and trust in Him. We are invited to unburden our grief to Him, to cast all our cares upon Him. But if our repetition amounts to nothing more than an expression of unbelief, and doubt, then the prayers are vain and empty (Matthew 6:7) and will go unheard. We should acknowledge and gladly accept two facts, first is that not all prayers will be answered to our liking, and second is that some prayers may take a very long time to be answered. Neither of these two conditions should ever shake our faith or trust in Him, nor cause us to become weary and give up praying.
When God’s judgment comes it will come rapidly. It will not be a drawn out affair. It will be so quickly done that it will stun and shock.
His Second Question. When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The second question Jesus asked is alarming. The definite article is before “faith.” It is “The Faith” which He asks and not just any kind of faith. “The Faith” is the whole system of belief and practice of the New Testament. “The Faith” cannot be parted out from His Church. The Church is the ground and pillar of “The Faith” (I Tim 3:15). His Church is “The Faith.” If Christ cannot find “The Faith” on earth when He returns, He will not find His Church. But we know by His sure word, that His Church will not die out but will still exist at His return (Matt. 16:18). So the answer is “yes,” He will find “The Faith” on earth. But why ask then? It is a question meant to shake us out of any complacency towards Him or of what we have with Him. This should startle us to be determined that we will not falter into weakness, but that we strengthen our resolve to faithfulness, trust, belief, and loyalty in Him. In essence to be resolved to keep “The Faith.” Circumstances may cut us deeply and no way out is seemingly provided, but God’s grace will be gifted to us enabling us, empowering us, to endure the endurable trials and tribulations (1 Cor. 10:13).
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
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Next: Parable of The Pharisee and Publican |
This page last updated November 9, 2004 at 10:10am
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