Luke 18

1 He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,2 saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man.3 A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’4 He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man,

5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”
6 The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.7 Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.11 The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.12 I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’13 But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15 They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.16 Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

17 Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”

18 A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one—God.

20 You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”t

21 He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.”

22 When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.”

23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.
24 Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”

26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”

27 But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

28 Peter said, “Look, we have left everything, and followed you.”
29 He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the Kingdom of God’s sake,

30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”
31 He took the twelve aside, and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.32 For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.

33 They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”
34 They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.35 It happened, as he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.36 Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant.37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.38 He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”

39 Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”
40 Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him,

41 “What do you want me to do?”
He said, “Lord, that I may see again.”

42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”

43 Immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.

Luke 18

Parables on Prayer

1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,2 saying, "In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me legal protection from my opponent.'4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.'"6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge *said;7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

The Pharisee and the Publican

9 And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.'13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.16 But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

The Rich Young Ruler

18 A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.20 You know the commandments, 'DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'"21 And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."22 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.24 And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!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."26 They who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?"27 But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God."

28 Peter said, "Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You."29 And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,30 who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life."

31 Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.32 For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon,33 and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again."34 But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

Bartimaeus Receives Sight

35 As Jesus was approaching Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.36 Now hearing a crowd going by, he began to inquire what this was.37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.38 And he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him,41 "What do you want Me to do for you?" And he said, "Lord, I want to regain my sight!"42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.