Luke
Chapter 18
Overview
Luke 18 follows Jesus on his journey toward Jerusalem. He teaches his listeners to keep praying, to approach God without pride, and to receive God’s rule with a child’s openness. He then challenges a wealthy leader, speaks honestly about the grip of riches, and tells his twelve closest followers what awaits him in Jerusalem. They do not understand. The chapter closes near Jericho, where a blind beggar sees what the crowd misses about Jesus. Throughout the chapter, respected people can be blind while overlooked people see clearly—a quiet paradox at the heart of the story.
1Jesus told his disciples a story to show them that they should always pray and never give up.
2He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God or care what people thought of him.
3A widow in that city kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against the person who is taking me to court.’
4For some time the judge refused. But later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God or care what people think,
5I will give this widow justice because she keeps bothering me. Otherwise, she will keep coming until she wears me out completely.’”
6Then the Lord Jesus said, “Pay attention to what this unjust judge says.
7Won’t God give justice to the people he has chosen, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep delaying his help?
8I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. Still, when the Son of Man—Jesus’ title for himself—comes, will he find such faith on earth?”
9Jesus also told this story to some people who were confident that they were right with God and looked down on everyone else:
10“Two men went up to the Temple, the center of Jewish worship, to pray. One was a Pharisee, a strict religious observer, and the other collected taxes.
11The Pharisee stood apart and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like everyone else—thieves, dishonest people, people who commit adultery, or even this tax collector.
12I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of everything I receive.’
13But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up toward heaven. Instead, he beat his chest in grief and said, ‘God, be merciful to me—a sinner.’
14I tell you, the tax collector went home accepted as right by God, rather than the Pharisee. Everyone who raises himself above others will be brought low, but anyone who humbles himself will be lifted up.”
15People were even bringing babies to Jesus so that he would touch them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded the people.
16But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me. Do not stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like them.
17I assure you: anyone who does not welcome God’s kingdom the way a child does will never enter it.”
18A certain leader asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?”
19Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
20You know the commands: Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not give false testimony. Honor your father and mother.”
21The leader replied, “I have obeyed all these commands since I was young.”
22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and distribute the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. After that, come and follow me.”
23When the man heard this, he became deeply sad because he was extremely wealthy.
24Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for people who have wealth to enter God’s kingdom!
25It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
26Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved and enter God’s kingdom?”
27Jesus replied, “What is impossible for human beings is possible for God.”
28Peter said, “Look, we have left what belonged to us and followed you.”
29Jesus told them, “I assure you: anyone who has left a house, wife, brothers, parents, or children for the sake of God’s kingdom
30will certainly receive many times as much in this present time, and eternal life in the age to come.”
31Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said, “Listen, we are going up to Jerusalem. Everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.
32He will be handed over to non-Jews. They will mock him, abuse him, and spit on him.
33They will whip him and kill him, but on the third day he will come back to life.”
34The disciples understood none of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what Jesus was saying.
35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging.
36When the man heard a crowd passing by, he asked what was happening.
37People told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
38The man shouted, “Jesus, Son of David—the promised king—have mercy on me!”
39The people at the front of the crowd scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
40Jesus stopped and ordered the people to bring the man to him. When the man came near, Jesus asked him,
41“What do you want me to do for you?” The man replied, “Lord, let me see.”
42Jesus told him, “See again. Your trust in me has healed you.”
43Immediately the man could see. He followed Jesus and praised God. When all the people saw what had happened, they also praised God.