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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/18-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/42_Luk_18_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 18:3 - The Persistent Widow" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. <a href="/nkjv/luke/18.htm">New King James Version</a> Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ <a href="/nasb_/luke/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ <a href="/nasb/luke/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, &#8216Give me legal protection from my opponent.&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/luke/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ <a href="/lsb/luke/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice from my opponent.’ <a href="/amp/luke/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> There was a [desperate] widow in that city and she kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice and legal protection from my adversary.’ <a href="/csb/luke/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ <a href="/hcsb/luke/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And a widow in that town kept coming to him, saying, Give me justice against my adversary.&#8217 <a href="/asv/luke/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. <a href="/cev/luke/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> In that same town there was a widow who kept going to the judge and saying, "Make sure that I get fair treatment in court." <a href="/erv/luke/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. <a href="/gwt/luke/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In that city there was also a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice.' <a href="/gnt/luke/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> And there was a widow in that same town who kept coming to him and pleading for her rights, saying, 'Help me against my opponent!' <a href="/isv/luke/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> In that city there was also a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' <a href="/msb/luke/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ?Give me justice against my adversary.? <a href="/net/luke/18.htm">NET Bible</a> There was also a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' <a href="/nheb/luke/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' <a href="/wbt/luke/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary. <a href="/wey/luke/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.' <a href="/web/luke/18.htm">World English Bible</a> A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and a widow was in that city, and she was coming to him, saying, Do me justice on my opponent, <a href="/blb/luke/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And there was a widow in that city, and she was coming to him, saying, 'Avenge me of my adversary.' <a href="/ylt/luke/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and a widow was in that city, and she was coming unto him, saying, Do me justice on my opponent, <a href="/slt/luke/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And a widow was in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And there was a certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of my adversary. <a href="/cpdv/luke/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But there was a certain widow in that city, and she went to him, saying, ‘Vindicate me from my adversary.’ <a href="/nabre/luke/18.htm">New American Bible</a> And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ <a href="/nrsvce/luke/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> There was a widow in that city, and she used to come to him, saying, Avenge me of my accuser. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “There was a certain widow in that city, and she was coming to him and saying, 'Vindicate me of my legal adversary.' “<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And there was a widow in that city, and she came to him, and said: Avenge me on my opponent at law. <a href="/godbey/luke/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And there was a widow in that city; and she continued to come to him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and there was a certain widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Do me justice against my adversary. <a href="/mace/luke/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a> a widow was likewise there, who frequently came to him, saying, do me justice against my adversary. <a href="/wey/luke/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "'Give me justice and stop my oppressor.' <a href="/worrell/luke/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And there was a widow in that city; and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Avenge me of my adversary.'<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And there was a widow in that city, who came to him, saying, Do me justice of my adversary.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/18-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=7058" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/18.htm">The Persistent Widow</a> …2“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">And</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">there was</a> <a href="/greek/5503.htm" title="5503: chēra (N-NFS) -- Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.">a widow</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinē (DPro-DFS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4172.htm" title="4172: polei (N-DFS) -- A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.">town</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ērcheto (V-IIM/P-3S) -- To come, go. ">who kept appealing</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legousa (V-PPA-NFS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him,</a> <a href="/greek/1556.htm" title="1556: Ekdikēson (V-AMA-2S) -- To give justice over, defend, avenge, vindicate. From ekdikos; to vindicate, retaliate, punish.">‘Give me justice</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">against</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/476.htm" title="476: antidikou (N-GMS) -- An opponent (at law), an adversary. From anti and dike; an opponent; specially, Satan.">adversary.’ </a> 4For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Matthew 15:22-28</a> And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” / He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ... <a href="/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5-8</a> Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, / because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ / And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ ... <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a> Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” <a href="/james/5-4.htm">James 5:4</a> Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. <a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a> You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. / If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. / My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless. <a href="/1_samuel/2-2.htm">1 Samuel 2:2-10</a> There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God. / Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogance come from your mouth, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by Him actions are weighed. / The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength. ... <a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Psalm 82:3-4</a> Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. <a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Proverbs 31:8-9</a> Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. <a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1-2</a> Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. <a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a> This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. <a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a> “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-11</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ... <a href="/romans/12-12.htm">Romans 12:12</a> Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:17</a> Pray without ceasing. <a href="/1_peter/5-7.htm">1 Peter 5:7</a> Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary.a widow.<a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm">Deuteronomy 27:19</a> Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.<a href="/2_samuel/14-5.htm">2 Samuel 14:5</a> And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.<a href="/job/22-9.htm">Job 22:9</a> Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.Avenge.<a href="/luke/18-7.htm">Luke 18:7,8</a> And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? … <a href="/romans/13-3.htm">Romans 13:3,4</a> For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-58.htm">Adversary</a> <a href="/matthew/14-24.htm">Adverse</a> <a href="/joel/3-21.htm">Avenge</a> <a href="/luke/18-2.htm">City</a> <a href="/luke/12-11.htm">Defend</a> <a href="/luke/15-28.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/luke/12-51.htm">Grant</a> <a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/luke/14-4.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/numbers/35-29.htm">Legal</a> <a href="/mark/7-3.htm">Oft</a> <a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Often</a> <a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Opponent</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-4.htm">Oppressor</a> <a href="/luke/14-1.htm">Party</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-37.htm">Plea</a> <a href="/micah/1-11.htm">Protection</a> <a href="/luke/8-31.htm">Repeatedly</a> <a href="/luke/16-15.htm">Right</a> <a href="/luke/9-50.htm">Stop</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-23.htm">Vindicate</a> <a href="/luke/7-13.htm">Widow</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/22-3.htm">Adversary</a> <a href="/isaiah/50-8.htm">Adverse</a> <a href="/luke/18-5.htm">Avenge</a> <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">City</a> <a href="/luke/18-5.htm">Defend</a> <a href="/luke/18-32.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/luke/22-29.htm">Grant</a> <a href="/luke/18-5.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/luke/18-13.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/acts/22-25.htm">Legal</a> <a href="/acts/26-11.htm">Oft</a> <a href="/john/18-2.htm">Often</a> <a href="/acts/24-12.htm">Opponent</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-32.htm">Oppressor</a> <a href="/luke/20-46.htm">Party</a> <a href="/genesis/30-6.htm">Plea</a> <a href="/luke/18-5.htm">Protection</a> <a href="/luke/22-41.htm">Repeatedly</a> <a href="/luke/18-5.htm">Right</a> <a href="/luke/22-51.htm">Stop</a> <a href="/luke/18-5.htm">Vindicate</a> <a href="/luke/18-5.htm">Widow</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 18</div>1. <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Of the importunate widow.</a> 9. <a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Of the Pharisee and the tax collector.</a> 15. <a href="/luke/18-15.htm">Of Children brought to Jesus.</a> 18. <a href="/luke/18-18.htm">A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches.</a> 28. <a href="/luke/18-28.htm">The reward of those who leave all for his sake.</a> 31. <a href="/luke/18-31.htm">He foretells his death;</a> 35. <a href="/luke/18-35.htm">and restores a blind man to sight.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And there was a widow in that town In biblical times, widows were often among the most vulnerable members of society. Without a husband to provide for them, they frequently faced economic hardship and social marginalization. The Old Testament law provided specific protections for widows (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm">Exodus 22:22-24</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>), emphasizing God's concern for their welfare. The mention of a widow in this parable highlights her vulnerability and the expectation that justice should be extended to her. The setting of "that town" suggests a local context, possibly a small community where everyone knew each other, which would make her plight more visible yet still unresolved.who kept appealing to him The persistence of the widow is a central theme in this parable. Her continual appeals indicate her desperation and determination. In the cultural context, a woman repeatedly approaching a judge would have been seen as bold, as women typically had limited legal standing. This persistence is a model of faith and perseverance, echoing other biblical teachings on persistent prayer (<a href="/luke/11-5.htm">Luke 11:5-8</a>). Her actions demonstrate a relentless pursuit of justice, which is a key aspect of the parable's message.‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ The widow's plea for justice underscores the biblical theme of righteousness and justice, which are foundational to God's character (<a href="/psalms/89-14.htm">Psalm 89:14</a>). Her adversary is not named, which universalizes her plight, making it applicable to any situation where injustice occurs. The demand for justice reflects the biblical call for God's people to seek justice and defend the oppressed (<a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a>). This plea also foreshadows the ultimate justice that will be realized in God's kingdom, where wrongs are righted and the oppressed are vindicated. The widow's cry for justice can be seen as a type of the believer's appeal to God, the righteous judge, for deliverance and vindication.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_widow.htm">The Widow</a> In <a href="/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3</a>, the widow represents a figure of vulnerability and persistence. Widows in biblical times often had little social standing and were dependent on others for support. Her persistence in seeking justice is central to the parable. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_unjust_judge.htm">The Unjust Judge</a> This character is described as one who neither fears God nor respects people. He represents authority figures who are indifferent to righteousness and justice. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_city.htm">The City</a> The setting of the parable, representing a place where justice should be administered. It serves as a backdrop for the interaction between the widow and the judge. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_parable_of_the_persistent_widow.htm">The Parable of the Persistent Widow</a> This event is a teaching moment from Jesus, illustrating the power of persistent prayer and faith in God's justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/persistence_in_prayer.htm">Persistence in Prayer</a> The widow's relentless pursuit of justice teaches us the importance of being persistent in our prayers. We should not lose heart but continue to bring our requests before God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_vs._human_justice.htm">God's Justice vs. Human Justice</a> Unlike the unjust judge, God is righteous and just. We can trust that He will bring about justice in His perfect timing. <a href="/topical/a/advocacy_for_the_vulnerable.htm">Advocacy for the Vulnerable</a> The widow's situation reminds us of our responsibility to advocate for those who are vulnerable and marginalized in society. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> The widow's actions demonstrate faith in action. Our faith should compel us to act, especially in the face of injustice. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_character.htm">Trust in God's Character</a> The parable encourages us to trust in God's character, knowing that He is compassionate and attentive to our needs.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 18</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'quick_to_listen,_slow_to_speak'.htm">How does persistence lead to justice despite indifference?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_god_view_acts_of_injustice.htm">How does God view acts of injustice?</a> <a href="/q/does_persistence_get_results.htm">Will persistence lead to receiving what you request?</a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_least_of_these_among_us.htm">Who are the least of these among us?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) There was a widow in that city.--The neglect of the cause of the widow had always been noted by Lawgiver and Prophet--and it was one of the notes of a high ethical standard in both--as the extremest form of oppressive tyranny (<a href="/exodus/22-22.htm" title="You shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.">Exodus 22:22</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm" title="He does execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loves the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.">Deuteronomy 10:18</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/27-19.htm" title="Cursed be he that perverts the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.">Deuteronomy 27:19</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm" title="Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.">Isaiah 1:17</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm" title="Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.">Isaiah 1:23</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/22-7.htm" title="In you have they set light by father and mother: in the middle of you have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in you have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.">Ezekiel 22:7</a>). Comp. also the speech of the widow of Tekoah (<a href="/2_samuel/14-2.htm" title="And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched there a wise woman, and said to her, I pray you, feign yourself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not yourself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:">2Samuel 14:2</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/14-5.htm" title="And the king said to her, What ails you? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and my husband is dead.">2Samuel 14:5</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. The petitioner was a woman and a widow, the latter being in the East a synonym for helplessness. With no one to defend her or plead her cause, this widow was ever a prey to the covetous. Not once nor twice in the noble generous words of the chivalrous Hebrew prophets we find this readiness on the part of those in power to neglect, if not to oppress these helpless widow-women, sternly commented upon. So in Isaiah we read (<a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a>), "They judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them." While Jesus (<a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Matthew 23:14</a>) includes this cowardly sin among the evil deeds of the rulers of the Israel of his day: "Ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer." A more desperate situation, as regards any hope of obtaining the object of her earnest prayer, could not well be pictured - a careless, corrupt judge of the lawless Herod period for the tribunal in Israel, and a poor helpless widow for the suppliant. The forlorn woman of the parable represents the Church or people of God in dire straits, overborne by an unbelieving world and seemingly forgotten even of their God. The story is a reminder that there is hope even in that extreme situation sketched in the parable, if the petitioner only continues persistent in her prayer. The argument which lies on the surface of the parable, teaching is obvious: if such a judge will in the end listen to the prayer of a suppliant for whom he cares nothing, will not God surely listen to the repeated prayer of a suppliant whom he loves with a deep, enduring love? Such is the argument of the story. Importunity, it seems to say, must inevitably triumph. But underlying this there is much deep teaching, of which, perhaps, the most important item is that it insists upon the urgent necessity for us all to continue in prayer, never fainting in this exercise though no answer seems to come. "The whole limb of the faithful," as Origen once grandly said, "should be one great connected prayer." That is the real moral of the story; but there are a number of minor bits of Divine teaching contained in this curious parable setting, as we shall see. Avenge me of mine adversary. We must not suppose that mere vengeance in the vulgar sense is what the widow prayed for; that would be of no use to her; all she wanted was that the judge should deliver her from the oppression which her adversary exercised over her, no doubt in keeping from her the heritage to which she was lawfully entitled. Of course, the granting her prayer would revolve loss and possibly punishment to her fraudulent oppressor. <a href="/commentaries/luke/18-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. there was ἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a widow χήρα (chēra) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5503.htm">Strong's 5503: </a> Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. that ἐκείνῃ (ekeinē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. town πόλει (polei) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4172.htm">Strong's 4172: </a> A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town. who kept appealing ἤρχετο (ērcheto) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. ‘Give me justice Ἐκδίκησόν (Ekdikēson) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1556.htm">Strong's 1556: </a> To give justice over, defend, avenge, vindicate. From ekdikos; to vindicate, retaliate, punish. [against] ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. adversary.’ ἀντιδίκου (antidikou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_476.htm">Strong's 476: </a> An opponent (at law), an adversary. From anti and dike; an opponent; specially, Satan. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/18-3.htm">Luke 18:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/18-3.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 18:3 A widow was in that city (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/18-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 18:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 18:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/18-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 18:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 18:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>