New International Version He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. New Living Translation “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. English Standard Version He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. Berean Standard Bible “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. Berean Literal Bible saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain city, not fearing God and not respecting man. King James Bible Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: New King James Version saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. New American Standard Bible saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. NASB 1995 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. NASB 1977 saying, “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, and did not respect man. Legacy Standard Bible saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. Amplified Bible saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and had no respect for man. Berean Annotated Bible “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God {Theon} nor respected men. Christian Standard Bible “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect people. Holman Christian Standard Bible “There was a judge in a certain town who didn’t fear God or respect man. American Standard Version saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man: Contemporary English Version In a town there was once a judge who didn't fear God or care about people. English Revised Version saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, and regarded not man: GOD'S WORD® Translation He said, "In a city there was a judge who didn't fear God or respect people. Good News Translation "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. International Standard Version He said, "In a city there was a judge who didn't fear God or respect people. NET Bible He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. New Heart English Bible saying, "There was a judge in a certain city who did not fear God, and did not respect people. Webster's Bible Translation Saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, neither regarded man. Weymouth New Testament "In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. World English Bible saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God and didn’t respect man. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionsaying, “A certain judge was in a certain city—he is not fearing God, and he is not regarding man— Berean Literal Bible saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain city, not fearing God and not respecting man. Young's Literal Translation saying, 'A certain judge was in a certain city -- God he is not fearing, and man he is not regarding -- Smith's Literal Translation Saying, There was a certain judge in a certain city, fearing not God, and not occupied about man: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSaying: There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God, nor regarded man. Catholic Public Domain Version saying: “There was a certain judge in a certain city, who did not fear God and did not respect man. New American Bible “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. New Revised Standard Version He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThere was a judge in a city, who did not fear God, and had no regard for men. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “There was in one city a certain judge who did not worship God and did not honor the children of men.” NT Translations Anderson New Testamentsaying: There was in a certain city a judge, who neither feared God nor regarded man. Godbey New Testament saying, Haweis New Testament saying, There was a certain judge in a particular city, having no fear of God, nor respect for man: Mace New Testament saying, in a certain city there was a judge, who neither feared God, nor regarded man. Weymouth New Testament "In a certain town," He said, "there was a judge who had no fear of God and no respect for man. Worrell New Testament saying, Worsley New Testament saying, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Persistent Widow1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2“ In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’… Cross References In a certain town Deuteronomy 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. 2 Chronicles 19:5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. there was a judge Exodus 18:21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. Deuteronomy 1:16-17 At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. / Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” who neither feared God Psalm 36:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes. Romans 3:18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Genesis 20:11 Abraham replied, “I thought to myself, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place. They will kill me on account of my wife.’ nor respected men. Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe. Job 34:19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands. Acts 10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, Exodus 22:22-24 You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. / My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless. Deuteronomy 27:19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. Zechariah 7:9-10 “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. Treasury of Scripture Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: city. Luke 18:4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Exodus 18:21,22 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: … 2 Chronicles 19:3-9 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God… regarded. Proverbs 29:7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. Isaiah 33:8 The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man. Jump to Previous Cared City Fear Feared Fearing Judge Regarded Regarding Respect RespectingJump to Next Cared City Fear Feared Fearing Judge Regarded Regarding Respect RespectingLuke 18 1. Of the importunate widow.9. Of the Pharisee and the tax collector. 15. Of Children brought to Jesus. 18. A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches. 28. The reward of those who leave all for his sake. 31. He foretells his death; 35. and restores a blind man to sight. “In a certain town Jesus introduces a setting familiar to His hearers, where local disputes were brought before a judge. The unnamed town gives the parable broad relevance. Deu 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials in every town… there was a judge The judge held authority to hear cases and render decisions. Rather than reflecting God’s standard of justice, he is presented as a corrupt and indifferent official. Exo 18:21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people… who neither feared God He lived without reverence for God or concern for divine judgment. His decisions were not guided by God’s law or moral responsibility. Psa 36:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant…… nor respected men. He also had no regard for the needs, dignity, or rights of others. His character makes his eventual response to the widow’s appeal all the more striking. Deu 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords,… Persons / Places / Events 1. The JudgeA central figure in the parable, described as someone who neither fears God nor respects people. This characterization sets the stage for understanding his actions and the contrast with God's nature. 2. The Town The setting of the parable, representing any place where justice is sought. It is intentionally vague to universalize the lesson. 3. The Widow (implied in the context) Though not mentioned in this specific verse, she is a key figure in the parable, representing those who are vulnerable and seeking justice. 4. Jesus The speaker of the parable, using this account to teach about persistence in prayer and the nature of God's justice. 5. The Audience Jesus' disciples and others listening to His teaching, who are being instructed on the importance of persistent faith and prayer. Teaching Points The Nature of JusticeThe judge's lack of fear of God and respect for people highlights the importance of these qualities in administering true justice. Believers are called to uphold justice with reverence for God and compassion for others. Persistence in Prayer The parable encourages believers to be persistent in prayer, trusting that God, unlike the unjust judge, is both willing and able to respond to our needs. God's Character vs. Human Authority The contrast between the unjust judge and God emphasizes that while human authorities may fail, God is just and attentive to the cries of His people. Faith in Action The widow's persistence is a model of faith in action, demonstrating that believers should not lose heart in their spiritual pursuits. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 18:2?2. How does Luke 18:2 illustrate God's justice compared to human judges? 3. What can we learn about persistence in prayer from Luke 18:2-8? 4. How does Luke 18:2 connect with God's character in Deuteronomy 32:4? 5. How should Luke 18:2 influence our approach to seeking justice today? 6. In what ways can we apply the judge's persistence to our spiritual life? 7. What does Luke 18:2 reveal about God's justice compared to human justice systems? 8. How does the parable in Luke 18:2 challenge our understanding of persistence in prayer? 9. Why does Jesus use an unjust judge to illustrate a spiritual truth in Luke 18:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 18? (2) There was in a city a judge.--The words have an interest historically, as testifying to the general disorganisation and corruption of justice which prevailed under the then government of Galilee and Peraea. Under the direct administration of the Roman Procurator, severe as his rule was, there was probably a better state of things. The case put for the purpose of the parable was obviously an extreme one. Every motive that ordinarily leads men in office to act rightly was absent. Conscience was dead, and there was no love of approbation or fear of blame to supply its place. Verse 2. - There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. Probably enough the whole scene was a sketch from life; under such a rule as that of Herod Antipas there were, doubtless, judges of the character here portrayed. Luke 18:2 paints a bleak picture: a godless, heartless judge presides over a town’s legal system. Jesus purposely chooses this extreme example to magnify two truths: human courts can fail, and persistent faith matters. If an unjust earthly judge can be swayed, believers may rest assured that the perfectly just Heavenly Judge hears and answers the cries of His elect.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek “Inἔν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. a certain τινι (tini) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. town πόλει (polei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town. there was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. judge Κριτής (Kritēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2923: A judge, magistrate, ruler. From krino; a judge. [who] neither μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. feared φοβούμενος (phoboumenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere. God Θεὸν (Theon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. [nor] μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. respected ἐντρεπόμενος (entrepomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1788: From en and the base of trope; to invert, i.e. in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound. men. ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. Additonal Resources Luke 18:2 Blue Letter BibleLuke 18:2 Bible Gateway Luke 18:2 Bible.com Luke 18:2 NIV |
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