Luke 18:1

A parable. [The Unjust Judge, Luke 18:1-8. Cf. on ch. 11:5-8; on parables see pp. 203-207.] Very likely this parable was spoken on the same occasion as the instruction recorded in ch. 17:20-37 (see on v. 20; cf. COL 164, 165). It was probably now about the month of March, A.D. 31, not long after the raising of Lazarus (see on vs. 11, 20) and but a few weeks before the final Passover. The place was probably somewhere in Peraea. Some of the preceding instruction (see on v. 20) had been addressed directly to the Pharisees, and it is therefore probable that they were still present. However, Jesus had been addressing His disciples (ch. 17:1; cf. 16:1) when the Pharisees interrupted Him with their question about when the kingdom would appear (ch. 17:20). It is probable that Jesus now turns His attention again primarily to the disciples. As a matter of fact, after specifically answering the question of the Pharisees (v. 21), Jesus had already turned His attention back, in part, to the disciples (see on v. 22).

It should be noted that the admonition to earnest prayer here given follows immediately a discussion of the time of crisis preceding the second advent (ch. 17:22-37), particularly from the standpoint of deceptions that would tend to lead the elect astray. The same is true of a similar admonition in ch. 21:36 (see also Mark 13:33).

To this end. This parable applies specifically to the experience of God’s people in the last days (COL 164), in anticipation of the deception they must meet and the persecution they must suffer.

Always to pray. Particularly in view of the second advent and the time of testing that precedes it. Prayer is more than a duty, it is a necessity. Jesus does not here refer to engaging in prayer to the exclusion of practical effort put forth to cooperate with heavenly agencies in securing the objectives for which prayer is made, or to the neglect of personal responsibility (see below on “not to faint”). Jesus means that we should not give up praying when the answers to our prayers are delayed (see vs. 7, 8). To pray “always” also means so to live, day by day and hour by hour, as to be in constant touch with God. For the principles of interpretation of parables see pp. 203, 204. For a discussion on the prayer life of Jesus see on Mark 1:35; 3:13. For further instruction concerning prayer given by Jesus to His disciples, see on Luke 11:1-9. Compare also his instruction in Matt. 9:38.

Not to faint. That is, they were admonished not to become weary of praying, not to lose heart in praying. The Jews of Christ’s time taught the desirability of praying thrice daily (see on Dan. 6:10.) Two of these times were the regular morning and evening hours of prayer, when the morning and evening sacrifices were offered for all Israel and when incense was ministered before the veil (see on Luke 1:9, 10). It is said that some rabbis went so far as to teach that a person should avoid praying at other than the stated times for prayer lest he disturb God and weary Him, as the importunate widow in this parable brought weariness to the unjust judge.