The parable of the persistent widow teaches about always praying and not losing heart, with the unjust judge finally vindicating her to illustrate how much more God will vindicate His elect who cry to Him day and night. The Pharisee and tax collector at prayer contrast self-righteous boasting with humble breast-beating confession, with the latter justified rather than the former, for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled. Jesus blesses children, encounters the rich ruler who sorrowfully departs when told to sell all, teaches about wealth's peril and the reversal of first and last, predicts His passion a third time, and heals blind Bartimaeus near Jericho who persistently cries for the Son of David's mercy.
Read Luke Chapter 18 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
The Temple
View on MapThe Temple in Jerusalem was the permanent house of worship built by Solomon on Mount Moriah. Destroyed by Babylon, it was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later greatly expanded by Herod. Jesus taught in the Temple courts, cleared it of merchants, and predicted its destruction, which occurred in 70 AD.
Jericho
View on MapJericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, was the first Canaanite city conquered by the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River. Its walls famously fell after the Israelites marched around it for seven days as commanded by God through Joshua. Jesus later passed through Jericho, healing blind Bartimaeus and dining with the tax collector Zacchaeus.
Nazareth
View on MapNazareth is the town in Galilee where Jesus grew up and spent most of his life before his public ministry. It was a small, obscure village in ancient times, which led Nathanael to ask "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary here to announce she would give birth to the Son of God. Jesus was known as "Jesus of Nazareth" throughout his ministry.
Position in Book
Birth NarrativesChapters 1-2
PreparationChapters 3:1-4:13
Galilean MinistryChapters 4:14-9:50
Journey to JerusalemChapters 9:51-19:27
Extensive travel narrative with parables and teaching.
Passion and ResurrectionChapters 19:28-24:53
Bible Bites
Luke Wrote for Gentiles
Luke is the only Gentile author in the New Testament. A physician by profession, he wrote his Gospel and Acts specifically for a Gentile audience, tracing Jesus' genealogy all the way back to Adam, father of all humanity.
Luke