Luke Chapter 18
Parable About the Unjust Judge
18:1 He told a story to the effect that people should always pray, and not give up.
2 “There was a judge in a town who didn’t fear God or respect people. 3 A widow in that town kept coming to him to defend her against her accuser. 4 At first he wouldn’t help her, but after a while he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or respect people, 5 but this widow keeps hounding me. I’ll see that she gets justice so she won’t wear me out, coming to me all the time.’
6 “Listen to what the unjust judge illustrates. 7 Won’t God provide justice for his chosen ones that call to him for help day and night, and be patient with them? 8 I’m telling you, he’ll provide it right away. But, when the Son of Man comes, will he find people with faith on the earth?”
Lk 18:1-8
The Pharisee and the Publican
9 He told this story to some people that trusted in their own goodness and looked down on everybody else.
10 “A Pharisee and a tax collector went up to the Temple to pray. 11 The Pharisee stood, praying to himself, ‘God, I’m glad I’m not like everybody else—swindlers, unjust, adulterers—or this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of everything I gain.’
13 “The tax collector stood a good way off and wouldn’t even look up to heaven, but kept beating his chest, ‘God, have mercy on me; I’m such a sinner.’ 14 I’m telling you, he’s the one that went home justified instead of the other one. Everybody that exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Lk 18:9-14
Jesus and the Little Children
15 People were bringing their babies for Jesus to touch. When the disciples saw it, they fussed at them. 16 But Jesus invited them, “Let the little kids come over here. People like them are what make up God’s kingdom. 17 I’m telling you, whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a little kid won’t get into it.”
Lk 18:15-17
The Rich Young Ruler
18 An official asked him, “Good Rabbi, what do I need to do to inherit eternal life?”
19 Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? Nobody’s good but God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘do not commit adulteryf, murderf, stealf, or lief [Ex 20:13-16]; honor your parents’” [Ex 20:12].
. 21 “I’ve done that since I was a boy.”
22 Jesus said, “There is one thing you can do: sell everything you own and distribute it to the poor, and you’ll have wealth in heaven; then come with me.”
23 When he heard that, he got really discouraged because he was very wealthy. Lk 18:18-23
The Peril About Wealth
24 When Jesus saw him so downcast, he said, “It’s hard for wealthy people to get into God’s kingdom. 25 It’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich person to get into God’s kingdom.
26 The ones that were listening said, “Who can be saved then?”
27 Jesus said, “Things impossible for people are possible for God.”
28 Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.”
29 He said to them, “Everybody that has left behind a home, a wife, brothers, parents, or children for the sake of God’s kingdom 30 will receive many times more in this age and eternal life in the age to come.”
Lk 18:24-30
Another Prediction of His Death
31 He took the Twelve aside and told them, “We’re going up to Jerusalem to accomplish everything the prophets wrote about me. 32 I’ll be handed over to the Gentiles, and be made fun of, abused, spit on. 33 When they’ve flogged me, they’ll put me to death; but on the third day I’ll resurrect.” 34 None of that made any sense to them.
Lk 18:31-34
Healing Two Blind Men at Jericho
35 Near Jericho a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. 36 When he heard a crowd go by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him Jesus the Nazarene was going past.
38 He yelled out, “Jesus son of David, have mercy on me!”
39 The people out in front told him to quiet down, but he yelled all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”
40 Jesus stopped and told him to come over. When he got there, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do?”
“Lord, give me sight back.”
42 Jesus said, “Receive it. Your faith has delivered you.”
43 Instantly he could see again; and he went with Jesus, praising God. When the people saw it, they praised God too.
Lk 18:35-43