1.
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
a parable . Both parables peculiar to Luke. Only here that the explanation is put first.
to this end , &c. Greek. pros ( App-104 .) to dein = to the purport that it is necessary, &c.
always . Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 . = on alloccasions. perseveringly.
pray . Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 .
not. Greek. me. App-105 .
to faint = to lose heart, be discouraged, give in, or give up. Greek. egkakeo.
2.
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
in . Greek. en. App-104 .
God . App-98 .
neither . Greek. me. App-105 .
regarded . Greek. entrepomai. Compare Matthew 21:37 .
man. Greek. anthropos. App-123 .
3.
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
a widow. were specially cared for under the law. See Exodus 22:22 .Deuteronomy 10:18 . Compare Isaiah 1:17 , Isaiah 1:23 .Malachi 3:5 .Acts 6:1 ; Acts 9:41 . 1 Timothy 5:3 , &c.
came = kept coming, or repeatedly came.
unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .
Avenge me = Do me justice from. Greek ekdikeo. Occurs here, Luke 18:5 .Romans 12:19 . 2 Corinthians 10:6 . Revelation 6:10 ; Revelation 19:2 .
of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .
4.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
would not = did not wish to. App-102 .
not . Greek. ou. App-105 . afterward after (Greek. meta. App-104 .) these things.
within = to. Greek. en. App-104 .
5.
Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
because. Greek dia. App-104 .Luke 18:2 .
continual . Greek. eis telos = to the end.
weary me = pester, litearl. give me a blow under the eye. Greek. hupopiazo. Occurs only here and in 1 Corinthians 9:27 ("buffet ").
6.
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
the unjust judge = the judge of injustice. Greek. adikia. App-128 .
7.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
And shall not God = And God, shall He not.
not. Greek. ou me. App-105 .
elect : i.e. His own people.
He bear long = He delayeth. The unjust judge delayed from selfish indifference. The righteous God may delay from a divinely all-wise purpose.
with = over. Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 18:11 , Luke 18:27 .
8.
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
He will avenge = He will perform the avenging (Greek. ekdikesis. Compare Luke 18:5 ) of. Compare Psalms 9:12 , Isaiah 63:4 .Hebrews 10:37 .
the Son of man. App-98 .
faith = the faith.
on . Greek. epi. App-104 .
the earth . Greek. ge. App-129 .
9.
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
certain = some also.
in . Greek. epi. App-104 .
despised = made nothing of.
others = the rest. See Luke 8:10 .
10.
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
went up . It was always "up "to the Temple on Mount Moriah. Compare "went down" (Luke 18:14 ).
into . Greek. eis. App-104 .
Pharisee . See App-120 .
other . The different one. Greek heteros. App-124 . publican. See note on Matthew 5:46 .
11.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
stood = took his stand, or took up his position (by himself).
and prayed = and began to pray.
thus = these things.
with = to. Greek. pros. App-104 .
extortioners . Like this tax-gatherer.
unjust . Like the judge of verses: Luke 18:2-5 .
12.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
twice in the week . The law prescribed only one in the year (Leviticus 16:29 . Numbers 29:7 ). By the time of Zechariah 8:19 there were four yearly fasts. 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.
all. The law only prescribed corn, wine, oil, and cattle (Deuteronomy 14:22 , Deuteronomy 14:23 . Compare Matthew 23:23 ).
possess = gain, acquire. Not a word about his sins. See Proverbs 28:13 .
13.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
standing : i.e. in a position of humility.
afar off. Compare Psalms 40:12 .Ezra 9:6 .
not . . . so much as = not even. Greek. ou ( App-105 .) oude.
unto . Greek. eis. App-104 .
heaven = the heaven. Singular. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
smote, &c. = was smiting, &c., or, began to smite. Expressive of mental grief. Compare Luke 23:48 . Jeremiah 31:19 . Nahum 2:7 .
upon . Greek. eis; but all the texts omit.
be merciful = be propitiated or reconciled (through the atoning blood sprinkled on the mercy-seat). Greek. hilaskomai. Compare Exodus 25:17 , Exodus 25:18 , Exodus 25:21 .Romans 3:25 .Hebrews 2:17 . Used in the Septuagint in connexion with the mercy-seat (Greek. hilasterion). Hebrews 9:5 .
a sinner = the sinner (compare 1 Timothy 1:15 ). Greek. hamartolos. Compare App-128 .
14.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
justified. Reckoned as righteous.
rather than . The texts read "compared with", Greek. para. App-104 .
the other = that one.
for , &c. Repeated from Luke 14:11 . Compare Habakkuk 2:4 .
15.
And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
And they brought , &c. As in Matthew 19:13-15 , and Mark 10:13-16 . A common custom for mothers to bring their babes for a Rabbi's blessing.
also infants = infants also.
infants = their babes. See App-108 .
touch . Supplemental in Luke.
saw . Greek. eidon. App-133 .
16.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Jesus. See App-98 .
little children . App-108 .
the kingdom of God . App-112 and App-114 .
17.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Verily . See note on Matthew 5:18 .
in no wise. Greek. ou me. App-105 .
therein = into ( App-104 .) it.
18.
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
And a , &c. As in Matthew 19:16-30 . Mark 10:17-31 .
ruler . Supplemental. Not so described in Matthew or Mark.
Master = Teacher. App-98 . Luke 18:1 .
eternal . See App-151 .
life . Greek. zoe. App-170 .
19.
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
Why , &c. See note on Matthew 19:17 .
20.
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
knowest . Greek. oida. App-132 .
21.
And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
All these. See note on Matthew 19:20 .
22.
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Yet lackest, &c. = Still one thing is lacking to thee.
that = whatsoever.
the poor. App-127 . See note on John 12:8 .
heaven . No Art. Singular. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
come = come hither.
23.
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
he was = he became. Compare Mark 10:22 .
very rich = rich exceedingly.
24.
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
when Jesus saw that he was = Jesus seeing ( App-133 .) him becoming.
hardly = with difficulty.
shall they = do they.
25.
For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
camel. See note on Matthew 19:24 . Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 18:1 .
26.
And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
can = is able to.
27.
And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
impossible , &c. See note on Matthew 19:26 . with. Greek para. App-104 .
possible . Compare Job 42:2 .Jeremiah 32:17 . Zechariah 8:6 .
28.
Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
Lo. Greek idou. App-133 . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
have left = left
all. The critical texts read "our own", marking a particular case (Luke 5:11 ). Compare Deuteronomy 28:8-11 .
29.
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
or . Note the Figure of speech Paradiastole ( App-6 ), for emphasis.
30.
Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
manifold more . Greek. pollaplasion. Occurs only here.
this present time = this very season.
the world to come = the age that is coming.
world = age. See App-129 .
everlasting. App-151 .
31.
Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
Then, &c. For verses: Luke 18:31-34 , compare Matthew 20:17-19 , and Mark 10:32-34 . The fourth announcement of His rejection (see the Structure G A, p. 1461), containing additional particulars.
Then = And. No note of time.
Behold . Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ). Same word as "Lo", Luke 18:28 .
are written = have been and stand written.
by = by means of, or through. Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 18:1 .
concerning = for: i.e. for Him to accomplish.
32.
For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
be delivered, &c. These particulars (in verses: Luke 18:32 , Luke 18:33 )are supplementary to the former three announcements. See the Structure (p. 1461).
33.
And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
rise again. App-178 .
34.
And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
understood none , &c. As in Luke 9:43-45 . Compare Mark 9:32 .
none = nothing. Greek. oudeis.
saying. Greek. rhema. See note on Mark 9:32 .
from . Greek. apo. App-104 .
neither knew they = and they did not ( App-105 ) know ( App-132 .)
35.
And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
And it came to pass , &c. Not the same miracle as in Matthew 20:29-34 , or Mark 10:46-52 . See App-152 .
as He was come nigh = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) His drawing near. In Mark 10:46 , "as He went out". a certain, &c. Not the same description as in Matthew 20:30 , or Mark 10:46 .
sat = was sitting (as a custom).
by = beside. Greek. para. App-104 .
begging . So Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46 ); but not the two men (Matthew 20:30 ). Greek prosaiteo. Occurs only here. Mark 10:46 . John 9:8 , but all the texts read epaiteo, as in Luke 16:3 .
36.
And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
he asked = he kept asking (Imperative mood) He knew not; but the other two heard and knew.
37.
And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
of Nazareth = the Nazarsean.
passeth by = is passing by.
38.
And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
cried = called out.
Son of David . App-98 . Compare the call of the other men ( App-152 ).
mercy = pity.
39.
And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
went before rebuked. Those who go before the Lord (instead of following) are apt to make mistakes.
cried = continued calling (Imperative mood) Not the same word as in Luke 18:38 .
40.
And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
stood = stopped.
commanded . . . brought. The other man the Lord commanded to be "called" (Mark 10:49 ). The two were called by Himself (Matthew 20:32 ).
to be brought unto. Greek. acid pros. Used by Luke also in Luke 4:40 ; Luke 19:35 . He uses prosago in Luke 9:41 .Acts 16:20 ; Acts 27:27 .
come near . The one in Mark 10:50 . The two were already near (Matthew 20:32 ).
asked. Greek. eperotao. Compare App-134 .
41.
Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
wilt = desirest. See App-102 .
Lord. See App-98 . B. a.
42.
And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
saved = healed. See on Luke 8:36 .
43.
And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
immediately. See Luke 1:64 .