The Tenacious Widow
Luke 18, verse 1. Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, Luke 18, verse 2. saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Luke 18, verse 3. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ Luke 18, verse 4. And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, Luke 18, verse 5. yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Luke 18, verse 6. Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. Luke 18, verse 7. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? Luke 18, verse 8. I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
The Pharisee and the Publican
Luke 18, verse 9. Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Luke 18, verse 10. “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Luke 18, verse 11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. Luke 18, verse 12. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ Luke 18, verse 13. And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ Luke 18, verse 14. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Receive the Kingdom as a Child
Luke 18, verse 15. Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Luke 18, verse 16. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18, verse 17. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
The Rich Young Man
Luke 18, verse 18. Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18, verse 19. So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. Luke 18, verse 20. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” Luke 18, verse 21. And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” Luke 18, verse 22. So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Luke 18, verse 23. But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. Luke 18, verse 24. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! Luke 18, verse 25. For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18, verse 26. And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” Luke 18, verse 27. But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
The Reward of Renunciation
Luke 18, verse 28. Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” Luke 18, verse 29. So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, Luke 18, verse 30. who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
The Third Prophecy of the Passion
Luke 18, verse 31. Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. Luke 18, verse 32. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. Luke 18, verse 33. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” Luke 18, verse 34. But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.
The Blind Man of Jericho Healed
Luke 18, verse 35. Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. Luke 18, verse 36. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. Luke 18, verse 37. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Luke 18, verse 38. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Luke 18, verse 39. Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Luke 18, verse 40. So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, Luke 18, verse 41. saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Luke 18, verse 42. Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” Luke 18, verse 43. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.