L O 1. 1st Parable. Perseverance in Prayer.
P t 2. The unjust judge.
u 3. The widow. Plaint.
t 4. The unjust judge.
u 5. The widow. Redress.
Q 6-8. Application re the Kingdom.
O 9. 2nd Parable. Self and true righteousness.
P v 10-. Pharisee.
w -10. Publican.
v 11,12. Pharisee.
w 13. Publican.
Q 14. Application re Kingdom.
29 A.D.
Luke 18)
(The next 2 parables are peculiar to Luke)
1 And He spoke a parable to them to the purport that is necessary, that men ought on all occasions (perseveringly) to pray (pray in God's will), and not to lose heart; (= be discouraged, give in, or give up. The subject is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and that men ought to always pray and not to faint every time they see something that is irregular or out of line. Don't fall into it. Don't faint, but pray. Have your faith in Christ and know that when you're in Him, you're a victor! You have it made when you're with Him. So therefore as it is, don't faint.)
2 Saying, "There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: (Not a Christian man. Could care less. Cp. Matt. 21:37)
3 And there was a widow (widows were especially cared for under the law. See Ex. 22:22. Deut. 10:18. Cp. Isa. 1:17,23; Mal. 3:5. Acts 6:1; 9:41. 1 Tim. 5:3,&c.) in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Do me justice from my adversary.'
4 And he did not wish to for a while: but after these things he said to himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her to the end coming she pester me.' " (Lit. give a blow under the eye. She's driving me nuts! She's pestering me. Just to get rid of her I am going to give her, her way. Now that was done by a Judge. We have a Judge and it's Almighty God, but this Judge, even a poor Judge, that doesn’t love GOD is going to do ultimately what’s right. Why? Just because the woman was persistent. And what you want to be is persistent in your prayer and as a watchmen so that you are informed concerning all of the events that are transpiring; so you can keep up. That's very important. That’s what the subject is here, the return of Jesus Christ. That's what we are all looking for.)
6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of injustice says.
7 And God, shall he no avenge His own elect (i.e. His own people), which cry day and night to Him, though He delays over them? (The unjust judge delayed with selfish indifference. The righteous God may delay from a divinely all-wise purpose. Don't you think GOD would be better to His own elect then that fake Judge? This is tied directly to the 5th seal and the 5th trumpet. The people that do cry, “When's it going to be Father? Avenge us! Look what they’re doing to us! Look at the world, look at our nation!")
8 I tell you that He will perform the avenging speedily (When necessary). Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall He find the faith on the earth?" (You bet He's going to! Why? Because He has His own Elect and His Elect will always stay with Him. But be persistent, searching those scriptures, and know exactly what time of the day it is. See Rev. 6:9.)
9 And He spoke this parable to some also which trusted in themselves that they were righteous (self-righteous hypocrites, they will never bring forward forgiveness), and made nothing of the rest: (See 8:10)
10 Two men went up (it was always "up" to the Temple on Mount Moriah. Cp. "went down", v.14) into the Temple to pray; (Very "religious" looking)
the one a Pharisee, and the different one a tax-gatherer. (Not very popular. See Matt. 5:46)
11 The Pharisee took his stand (or took up his position [by himself]) and began to pray these things to himself (a little to busy in "church" work), 'God, I thank You, that I am not as other men are, extortioners (like this tax-gatherer), unjust (like the judge of vv.2-5), adulterers, or even as this tax-gatherer.
12 I fast twice in the week (the law prescribed only 1 in the year [Lev. 16:29. Num. 29:7]. By the time of Zech 8:19 there were 4 yearly fests. In our Lord's day they were bi-weekly [Monday and Thursday], between Passover and Pentecost; and between the Feast of Tabernacles and the Dedication), I give tithes of all (the law only prescribed corn, wine, oil, and cattle [Deut. 14:22,23. Cp. Matt. 23:23]) that I acquire.' (Not a word about his sins. See Prov. 28:13.)
13 And the tax-gatherer, standing (i.e. in a position of humility) afar off (cp. Ps. 40:12. Ezra 9:6), would not even lift up his eyes to the heaven, but was smiting his breast (an expression of mental grief. Cp. 23:48. Jer. 31:19. Nah. 2:7), saying, 'God be reconciled (through the atoning blood sprinkled on the mercy-seat. Cp. Ezek. 25:17,18,21. Rom. 3:25. Heb. 2:17) to me the sinner.' (Good way to repent. Cp. 1 Tim. 1:15)
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified (reckoned as righteous) rather than that other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted."
L R 15,16. Infants brought.
S 17. Application.
R 18-23. Ruler comes.
S 24-27. Application.
R x 15-. Infants brought.
y -15. Rebuke.
x 16-. Infants called.
y -16. Approbation.
15 And they brought to Him their babes also (as in Matt. 19:13-15, and Mark 10:13-16. A common custom for mothers to bring their babes for a Rabbi's blessings), that He would touch them:
but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them. (They were driving away the innocent? Saying the Teacher was too busy.)
16 But Jesus called them to him,
and said, "Suffer little children to come to Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (A child can understand God's word. How does a child learn? Eyes wide open and believing every word someone they respect tells them. So when Christ speaks to us, you better have your eyes wide open and be receptive to the teaching of Christ as He teaches in the simplicity that even a child can understand. Or, listen to someone who only teaches the traditions of men. Your choice.)
17 Truly I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter into it." (We are all infants in the Word.)
18 And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. (See Matt. 19:17)
20 You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not murder (pre-meditated homicide. 1 John 3:15. Matt. 5. Capital punishment is demanded. Those who murder won't find salvation until the meet the Judge - God, and the one they murdered. No unsolved mysteries), Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother."
21 And he said, "All these (see Matt. 19:20) have I kept from my youth up."
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "Still one thing is lacking to you: sell all whatsoever you have, and distribute to the poor (see John 12:8), and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come here, follow Me."
23 And when he heard this, he became very sorrowful: for he was exceedingly rich. (He coveted his neighbors goods, 10th Commandment.. Ill gotten gains, he had ripped a lot of people off)
24 And Jesus seeing him becoming very sorrowful, He said, "How with difficulty do they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye (the needle gate, 2 men could defend it. It was beside the main gate, where you had to unload your camel to get through. No extras. So rich man must dump all ill gotten gains), than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (See Matt. 19:24. You can't rip people off and get away with it.)
26 And they that heard it said, "Who then is able to be saved?" (At this time it would be difficult.)
27 And He said, "The things which are impossible with men (see Matt. 19:26) are possible with God." (Do your best and turn it over to Him. Cp. Job 42:2. Jer. 32:17. Zech. 8:6)
K a 28,29-. All forsaken.
b -29. For kingdom's sake.
a 30-. More received.
b -30. In the coming age.
28 Then Peter said, "Lo, we our own (cp. Deut. 28:8-11), and followed You."
29 And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, There is no man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, (i.e. took time to travel)
for the kingdom of God's sake,
30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this very season, (Do it His way. You don't have to wait till you get to heaven.)
and in the age that is coming life everlasting."
(For vv. 31-34, cp. Matt. 20:17-19, and Mark 10:32-34. The4th announcement of His rejection, containing additional particulars.)
31 And He took to Him the twelve, and said to them, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that have been and stand written through the prophets for the Son of man shall be accomplished. (God's Word is true. It will come to pass as written. See Isa. 53. Ps. 22)
32 For He shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: (They should have remembered)
33 And they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death (see 1 Pet. 3:18,19): and the third day He shall rise again."
34 And they understood nothing of these things (as in 9:43-45. Cp. Mark 9:32): and this saying was hid from them (He did this for you. Hid from sight until it is ready according to God's timing.), and they did not know the things which were spoken.
M T 35. The blind man. Sitting.
U 36,37. The multitudes.
T 38-43-. The blind man. Healed.
U -43. The multitude. Praising God.
35 And it came to pass (not the same miracle as in Matt. 20:29-34, or Mark 10:46-52), that in His drawing near to Jericho (in Mark 10:46, "as He went out"), a certain blind man was sitting (as a custom) beside the way side begging:
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he kept asking what it meant. (He knew not; but the other 2 heard and knew)
37 And they told him, that Jesus the Nazaræan is passing by.
T W 38. The blind man. His cry.
X 39-. Multitude. Rebuke him.
W -39. The blind man. Cry increased.
X 40-43. Multitude. Ignored.
38 And he called out (cp. the call of the other men), saying, "Jesus, You son of David, have pity on me." (This is faith.)
39 And they which went before rebuked him (those who go before the Lord [instead of following] are apt to make mistakes), that he should hold his peace: (Do not hinder, but allow.)
but he continued calling so much the more, "You son of David, have pity on me."
X Y 40,41-. The Lord's Command and Question.
Z -41. The blind man. Answer.
Y 42. The Lord's Word.
Z 43-. The blind man. Healed.
40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to Him (the other man the Lord commanded to be "called" [Mark 10:49]. The 2 were called by Himself [Matt. 20:32]): and when he was come near, He asked him,
41 Saying, "What desire you that I shall do to you?"
And he said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."
42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight: Your faith hath saved you." (This is what saves you today. At one time you were spiritually blind. You could not so much see God's Word, the truth, it was hid from you the same as it was hid from those in v.34. The simplicity of that which is written. So simple a child could understand it. You didn't understand it. We were blind to the truth. But your faith in Him to know that His Word is important, that His Word gives life, that His Word brings you blessings, and within that, you begin to listen to that Word, and your sight comes back to you spiritually. You begin to understand what it is that God would have you do. And also enjoy that closeness and walk with Him.)
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God:
and all the people, when they saw it (not all see it at the same time), gave praise to God.