CONNECTION. This section belongs to the same period as the preceding one; the first parable has a close connection of thought with the predictions concerning the coming of the Son of man, while the second seems to have immediately followed. The two constitute, as it were, a complete whole. ‘In order... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS division of the Gospel of Luke, embracing nearly one third of the whole, contains for the most part matter peculiar to this Evangelist. A number of the incidents probably belong to an earlier period of the history. A few of these are mentioned by Matthew and Mark, though the greater number even... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:1. UNTO THEM, _i.e.,_ the disciples. TO THIS END, not in order that, but _to show,_ THAT THEY (the disciples) OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 5:17: ‘Pray without ceasing.' The latter refers to the believer's prevailing frame of mind; this, to unwearied petition for the same obj... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:2. IN A CITY A JUDGE. The ordinary municipal judge, appointed in accordance with Deuteronomy 16:18. WHO FEARED NOT GOD, AND REGARDED NOT MAN. The expression is not an uncommon designation of an unprincipled and reckless person. Religious motives and even social influences set no check to h... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:3. A WIDOW IN THAT CITY. The Old Testament specially demanded judicial protection for widows. The suitor may represent the _church._ AVENGE ME OF MY ADVERSARY. The justice of her cause is implied throughout. She does more than ask for a decision in her favor, she demands protection and req... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:4. FOR A WHILE. Not necessarily, for a long time. HE LAID WITHIN HIMSELF, etc. This soliloquy reveals the utterly abandoned character of the man: he was not ashamed of his own recklessness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:5. BECAUSE THIS WIDOW TROUBLETH ME. He is willing to give justice, though for a very unjust reason. Even from such a man _importunity_ can gain its end; from her conduct hitherto he infers that she will persist and trouble him yet more. SHE... WEAR ME OUT. The literal meaning is: ‘lest she... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:6. THE UNJUST JUDGE, lit, ‘the judge of unrighteousness.' This is emphatic to lead to the conclusion in Luke 18:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:7. AND SHALL NOT GOD, etc. Much more then, since God is not an unjust judge, since the widow is not a forsaken one, but HIS ELECT, will He hear importunate prayer. While this is applicable in a certain measure to every individual Christian, and to all bodies of Christians in every age, the m... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:8. I SAY UNTO YOU. Our Lord answers His own question. HE WILL AVENGE THEM SPEEDILY. Not suddenly, but quickly. If Luke 18:7 be explained: Is it His way to delay in their case? then this is the expected negative reply. But the avenging belongs to the coming of the Son of man, which is still... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:10. TWO MEN WENT UP INTO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY. The temple was on an elevation. Since the Passover was approaching, and some of his hearers were probably on their way to Jerusalem to worship in the temple, the reference is very apt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:11. THE PHARISEE STOOD. The publican also stood, but the word here used implies that the Pharisee took a position of confidence, a conspicuous one at all events (comp. Matthew 6:5). PRAYED THUS WITH HIMSELF, _i.e.,_ to himself, not orally, since he would hardly venture to speak thus. But t... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:12. I FAST TWICE IN THE WEEK. His acts, he affirms, surpass the requirements of God's law. But one fast was commanded in the law, namely, on the great day of atonement (Leviticus 16:29; Numbers 29:7). These were therefore private fasts. Mondays and Thursdays were the usual fast days. Comp. M... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:13. STANDING. Simply standing, not putting himself into an attitude or position. AFAR OFF. Probably, from the sanctuary, thus indicating his humility before God. Possibly, too, from the Pharisees thus indicating that he did not deem himself as other men, out morally below them. Still he wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:14. I SAY UNTO YOU. Solemn application. THIS MAN, the publican, WENT DOWN TO HIS HOUSE, returned home, JUSTIFIED, _i.e.,_ accepted by God as righteous, in the very sense in which Paul uses the word in his Epistles, that to the Romans being an extended commentary on this statement. Our Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:15-17. CHILDREN BROUGHT TO CHRIST. See on Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16. THEIR INFANTS (Luke 18:15). Luke is more exact here. CALLED THEM (Luke 18:16), _i.e.,_ the infants. Peculiar to Luke. The call to the infants could be obeyed only by the parents. Luke omits all mention of the _act... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM this point on, Luke's account is strictly parallel with those of Matthew and Mark. He does not, however, mention the locality (Perea). We group the rest of the chapter together, as the events succeeded each other in chronological order. Luke introduces few new details. See the parallel passages... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:34. AND THEY UNDERSTOOD NONE OF THESE THINGS. Peculiar to Luke; Matthew and Mark, however, give a proof of the same fact in their account of the request of the sons of Zebedee immediately after (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45). They understood the words, but what was predicted they did not... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:35-43. THE HEALING OF THE BLIND BEGGAR NEAR JERICHO. See on Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; especially the latter passage, with which this account closely agrees. The main difference is found in Luke 18:35: AS HE DREW NEAR TO JERICHO. Mark: ‘as He went out of Jericho.' This miracle can scar... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 18:43. GLORIFYING GOD. Peculiar to Luke, and a phrase frequently used by him. This miracle would make the prediction of Luke 18:31-33 the more incomprehensible to the disciples.... [ Continue Reading ]