# Luke 18

<!-- type: passage | created: 2026-06-11 | updated: 2026-06-11 -->

**Book:** [Luke](/codex/luke-the-evangelist/) · NASB95

## Immediate context (±2 verses)

**ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/))
> 1. <span class="rl-speech">And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;</span> 2. <span class="rl-speech">saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man:</span> 3. <span class="rl-speech">and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.</span> 4. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, <span class="rl-speech">Though I fear not God, nor regard man;</span> 5. <span class="rl-speech">yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.</span> 6. And the Lord said, <span class="rl-speech">Hear what the unrighteous judge saith.</span> 7. <span class="rl-speech">And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?</span> 8. <span class="rl-speech">I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?</span> 9. <span class="rl-speech">And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought:</span> 10. <span class="rl-speech">Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.</span> 11. <span class="rl-speech">The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.</span> 12. <span class="rl-speech">I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get.</span> 13. <span class="rl-speech">But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.</span> 14. <span class="rl-speech">I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.</span> 15. And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16. But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. 17. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein. 18. And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19. And Jesus said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, even God.</span> 20. <span class="rl-speech">Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother.</span> 21. And he said, <span class="rl-speech">All these things have I observed from my youth up.</span> 22. And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.</span> 23. But when he heard these things, he became exceeding sorrowful; for he was very rich. 24. And Jesus seeing him said, <span class="rl-speech">How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!</span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 26. And they that heard it said, Then who can be saved? 27. But he said, <span class="rl-speech">The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.</span> 28. And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee. 29. And he said unto them, <span class="rl-speech">Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the world to come eternal life.</span> 31. And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, <span class="rl-speech">Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of man.</span> 32. <span class="rl-speech">For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon:</span> 33. <span class="rl-speech">and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.</span> 34. And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said. 35. And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36. and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. 39. And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 40. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41. What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42. And Jesus said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">Receive thy sight; thy faith hath made thee whole.</span> 43. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. (Luke 18:1-43, ASV)

**WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/))
> 1. He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, <span class="rl-speech">and not give up,</span> 2. <span class="rl-speech">saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man.</span> 3. <span class="rl-speech">A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’</span> 4. He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, <span class="rl-speech">‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man,</span> 5. <span class="rl-speech">yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”</span> 6. The Lord said, <span class="rl-speech">“Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.</span> 7. <span class="rl-speech">Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?</span> 8. <span class="rl-speech">I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”</span> 9. <span class="rl-speech">He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.</span> 10. <span class="rl-speech">“Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.</span> 11. <span class="rl-speech">The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.</span> 12. <span class="rl-speech">I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’</span> 13. <span class="rl-speech">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!’</span> 14. <span class="rl-speech">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.”</span> 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 God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. 17. Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom 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, <span class="rl-speech">“Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one, God.</span> 20. <span class="rl-speech">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.’”</span> 21. He said, <span class="rl-speech">“I have observed all these things from my youth up.”</span> 22. When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, <span class="rl-speech">“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.”</span> 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 God’s Kingdom! 25. For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” 26. Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27. But he said, <span class="rl-speech">“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”</span> 28. Peter said, “Look, we have left everything, and followed you.” 29. He said to them, <span class="rl-speech">“Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake,</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”</span> 31. He took the twelve aside, and said to them, <span class="rl-speech">“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.</span> 32. <span class="rl-speech">For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.</span> 33. <span class="rl-speech">They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”</span> 34. They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said. 35. 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, <span class="rl-speech">“Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”</span> 43. Immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God. (Luke 18:1-43, WEB)

**KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/))
> 1. And he spake a parable unto them to this end, <span class="rl-speech">that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;</span> 2. <span class="rl-speech">Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: <sup>in a city: Gr. in a certain city</sup></span> 3. <span class="rl-speech">And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.</span> 4. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, <span class="rl-speech">Though I fear not God, nor regard man;</span> 5. <span class="rl-speech">Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.</span> 6. And the Lord said, <span class="rl-speech">Hear what the unjust judge saith.</span> 7. <span class="rl-speech">And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?</span> 8. <span class="rl-speech">I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?</span> 9. <span class="rl-speech">And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: <sup>that: or, as being righteous</sup></span> 10. <span class="rl-speech">Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.</span> 11. <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 12. <span class="rl-speech">I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.</span> 13. <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 14. <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, <span class="rl-speech">Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.</span> 17. <span class="rl-speech">Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.</span> 18. And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19. And Jesus said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.</span> 20. <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 21. And he said, <span class="rl-speech">All these have I kept from my youth up.</span> 22. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 23. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, <span class="rl-speech">How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!</span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 26. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27. And he said, <span class="rl-speech">The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.</span> 28. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29. And he said unto them, <span class="rl-speech">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,</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.</span> 31. Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, <span class="rl-speech">Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.</span> 32. <span class="rl-speech">For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:</span> 33. <span class="rl-speech">And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.</span> 34. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. 35. And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36. And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 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. 40. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41. Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42. And Jesus said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.</span> 43. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. (Luke 18:1-43, KJV)

**YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/))
> 1. And he spake also a simile to them, <span class="rl-speech">that it behoveth [us] always to pray, and not to faint,</span> 2. <span class="rl-speech">saying, 'A certain judge was in a certain city, God he is not fearing, and man he is not regarding</span> 3. <span class="rl-speech">and a widow was in that city, and she was coming unto him, saying, Do me justice on my opponent,</span> 4. and he would not for a time, but after these things he said in himself, <span class="rl-speech">Even if God I do not fear, and man do not regard,</span> 5. <span class="rl-speech">yet because this widow doth give me trouble, I will do her justice, lest, perpetually coming, she may plague me.'</span> 6. And the Lord said, <span class="rl-speech">'Hear ye what the unrighteous judge saith:</span> 7. <span class="rl-speech">and shall not God execute the justice to His choice ones, who are crying unto Him day and night, bearing long in regard to them?</span> 8. <span class="rl-speech">I say to you, that He will execute the justice to them quickly; but the Son of Man having come, shall he find the faith upon the earth?'</span> 9. <span class="rl-speech">And he spake also unto certain who have been trusting in themselves that they were righteous, and have been despising the rest, this simile:</span> 10. <span class="rl-speech">'Two men went up to the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer;</span> 11. <span class="rl-speech">the Pharisee having stood by himself, thus prayed: God, I thank Thee that I am not as the rest of men, rapacious, unrighteous, adulterers, or even as this tax-gatherer;</span> 12. <span class="rl-speech">I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all things, as many as I possess.</span> 13. <span class="rl-speech">'And the tax-gatherer, having stood afar off, would not even the eyes lift up to the heaven, but was smiting on his breast, saying, God be propitious to me, the sinner!</span> 14. <span class="rl-speech">I say to you, this one went down declared righteous, to his house, rather than that one: for every one who is exalting himself shall be humbled, and he who is humbling himself shall be exalted.'</span> 15. And they were bringing near also the babes, that he may touch them, and the disciples having seen did rebuke them, 16. and Jesus having called them near, said, 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the reign of God; 17. verily I say to you, Whoever may not receive the reign of God as a little child, may not enter into it.' 18. And a certain ruler questioned him, saying, 'Good teacher, what having done, shall I inherit life age-during?' 19. And Jesus said to him, <span class="rl-speech">'Why me dost thou call good? no one [is] good, except One, God;</span> 20. <span class="rl-speech">the commands thou hast known: Thou mayest not commit adultery, Thou mayest do no murder, Thou mayest not steal, Thou mayest not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.'</span> 21. And he said, <span class="rl-speech">'All these I did keep from my youth;'</span> 22. and having heard these things, Jesus said to him, <span class="rl-speech">'Yet one thing to thee is lacking; all things, as many as thou hast, sell, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, be following me;'</span> 23. and he, having heard these things, became very sorrowful, for he was exceeding rich. 24. And Jesus having seen him become very sorrowful, said, 'How hardly shall those having riches enter into the reign of God! 25. for it is easier for a camel through the eye of a needle to enter, than for a rich man into the reign of God to enter.' 26. And those who heard, said, 'And who is able to be saved?' 27. and he said, <span class="rl-speech">'The things impossible with men are possible with God.'</span> 28. And Peter said, 'Lo, we left all, and did follow thee;' 29. and he said to them, <span class="rl-speech">'Verily I say to you, that there is not one who left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children, for the sake of the reign of God,</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">who may not receive back manifold more in this time, and in the coming age, life age-during.'</span> 31. And having taken the twelve aside, he said unto them, <span class="rl-speech">'Lo, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be completed, that have been written through the prophets, to the Son of Man,</span> 32. <span class="rl-speech">for he shall be delivered up to the nations, and shall be mocked, and insulted, and spit upon,</span> 33. <span class="rl-speech">and having scourged they shall put him to death, and on the third day he shall rise again.'</span> 34. And they none of these things understood, and this saying was hid from them, and they were not knowing the things said. 35. And it came to pass, in his coming nigh to Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting beside the way begging, 36. and having heard a multitude going by, he was inquiring what this may be, 37. and they brought him word that Jesus the Nazarene doth pass by, 38. and he cried out, saying, 'Jesus, Son of David, deal kindly with me;' 39. and those going before were rebuking him, that he might be silent, but he was much more crying out, 'Son of David, deal kindly with me.' 40. And Jesus having stood, commanded him to be brought unto him, and he having come nigh, he questioned him, 41. saying, 'What wilt thou I shall do to thee?' and he said, <span class="rl-speech">'Sir, that I may receive sight.'</span> 42. And Jesus said to him, <span class="rl-speech">'Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee;'</span> 43. and presently he did receive sight, and was following him, glorifying God; and all the people, having seen, did give praise to God. (Luke 18:1-43, YLT)

## Setting

- **Speaker:** _TBD_
- **Audience:** _TBD_
- **Location:** _TBD_
- **Time period:** _TBD_

## Theological reading

_Patristic / early-church-father exegesis, to be added._

## Key words

_Theologically-loaded Greek or Hebrew words in this verse may have entries in the lexicon. Curated to roughly 100 contested terms across the corpus, not every word; see Lexicon Roadmap._

- _TBD_
- _TBD_
- _TBD_
- _TBD_

<!-- BACKLINKS:START -->
## Quoted in

**Arguments and defeaters:**

- [Argument from Forgiveness](/codex/argument-from-forgiveness/), via [Luke 18.13](/codex/luke-18-13/), [Luke 18.9-14](/codex/luke-18-9-14/)
- [Jesus Said Only God Is Good Objection Defeater](/codex/jesus-said-only-god-is-good-objection-defeater/), via [Luke 18.19](/codex/luke-18-19/)
- [Paul Invented Christianity Objection Defeater](/codex/paul-invented-christianity-objection-defeater/), via [Luke 18.9-14](/codex/luke-18-9-14/)

**Concepts:**

- [Jesus Said](/codex/jesus-said/), via [Luke 18.1-14](/codex/luke-18-1-14/), [Luke 18.16-22](/codex/luke-18-16-22/), [Luke 18.24-33](/codex/luke-18-24-33/), [Luke 18.41-42](/codex/luke-18-41-42/)
- [Prayer](/codex/prayer/), via [Luke 18.1-8](/codex/luke-18-1-8/)
- [Prayers for Evangelism](/codex/prayers-for-evangelism/), via [Luke 18.1-8](/codex/luke-18-1-8/)
- [Spirit of Haughtiness](/codex/spirit-of-haughtiness/), via [Luke 18.14](/codex/luke-18-14/)
- [Verses on Gods Goodness and Human Worth](/codex/verses-on-gods-goodness-and-human-worth/), via [Luke 18.15-17](/codex/luke-18-15-17/)

**Lexicon:**

- [G0165 - aion](/codex/g0165-aion/), via [Luke 18.30](/codex/luke-18-30/)
- [G2433 - hilaskomai](/codex/g2433-hilaskomai/), via [Luke 18.10](/codex/luke-18-10/), [Luke 18.13](/codex/luke-18-13/), [Luke 18.14](/codex/luke-18-14/)
- [G2434 - hilasmos](/codex/g2434-hilasmos/), via [Luke 18.13](/codex/luke-18-13/)
- [G4982 - sozo](/codex/g4982-sozo/), via [Luke 18.42](/codex/luke-18-42/)
- [H2896 - tov](/codex/h2896-tov/), via [Luke 18.19](/codex/luke-18-19/)

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## Notes

_Your annotations._

---

_Scripture quotations taken from the **New American Standard Bible®** (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by **The Lockman Foundation**. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [www.lockman.org](https://www.lockman.org)_

## Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

- **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
- **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
- **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
- **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.