Luke 18:6

“And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.”

Context:To understand the meaning of this verse, it’s important to examine the context in which it appears. Luke 18:1-8 contains the parable of the persistent widow, where Jesus teaches His disciples about the need to persistently pray and not lose heart. In this parable, Jesus contrasts an unjust judge with God, illustrating how God is just and compassionate towards His people.

Now, focusing on Luke 18:6, Jesus says, “Hear what the unjust judge saith.” Here, Jesus directs His disciples’ attention to the unjust judge in the parable. The purpose of highlighting the unjust judge’s words is to contrast them with God’s character. The unjust judge in the parable neither feared God nor regarded men, and he refused to grant justice to the widow initially. However, because the widow persistently came to him, he eventually relented and granted her request.

By drawing attention to the unjust judge’s actions, Jesus wants His disciples to recognize the stark contrast between the unjust judge’s response and God’s response to the prayers of His people. While the unjust judge ultimately grants the widow’s request out of annoyance and weariness, God, who is just and loving, delights in answering His children’s prayers. Jesus encourages His followers to understand that if even an unjust judge grants justice to a persistent widow, how much more will a loving and righteous God respond to the cries of His people.

This passage emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer and encourages believers to have faith that God hears and answers their prayers. It assures us that God is not like an unjust judge who ignores our pleas, but rather, He is loving and compassionate, ready to respond to our needs. It teaches us to persevere in prayer and not lose heart, knowing that God hears us and is faithful to His promises.