Luke 18:2

In a city a judge. Literally, “a certain judge in a certain city.” Jesus was circumspect in using an illustration of this nature. He made sure that His hearers could not refer it to any specific judge. Only too eagerly would Jesus’ enemies have availed themselves of any opportunity to charge Him with undermining the government (see on ch. 23:2).

Feared not God. This judge was evidently a law to himself. He exhibited no love either for God or for his fellow men, or respect for either table of the law (see on Matt. 22:34-40).

A widow. In ancient Oriental society a widow was often the most helpless of persons, particularly if she had no sons to champion her rights. This widow apparently had none to protect her. Furthermore, she had nothing wherewith to bribe the callous judge or to offer in payment for justice. The psalmist pictures God as “a judge of the widows” (see Ps. 68:5). James presents it as a mark of “pure religion” to “visit” the widows “in their affliction” (James 1:27). One of the woes Christ pronounced against the scribes and Pharisees was spoken because they “devour widows’ houses” (see on Matt. 23:14; see also on Job 22:9).

She came. According to the Greek, “she kept coming.”

Avenge me. Or, “do me justice” (see COL 166). It would seem that the widow’s husband had left her property, perhaps mortgaged to others, which they refused to return at the stipulated time according to the provisions of the law (see on Lev. 25:23-25). Evidently having no one to champion her rights, the widow was wholly dependent upon the judge’s sense of justice and mercy — but he was neither just nor merciful. He was the very antithesis of God; he reflected the character of Satan.

Adversary. Gr. antidikos, also used commonly as a legal term for an opponent in a lawsuit; usually the defendant, but sometimes the plaintiff (see on Matt. 5:25). Satan is spoken of as the antidikos of the Christian (1 Peter 5:8; see Zech. 3:1-4). Antidikos appears also in the LXX of Sam. 2:10; Esther 8:1.