Luke 18:3

Verse

And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

American Standard Version (1901)

and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

And there was a widow in that town, and she kept on coming to him and saying, Give me my right against the man who has done me wrong.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And there was a certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of my adversary.

Free Bible Version

“In the same town lived a widow who time and again went to the judge, saying, ‘Give me justice in the case against my enemy!’

Geneva Bible 1599

And there was a widowe in that citie, which came vnto him, saying, Doe mee iustice against mine aduersarie.

King James (Authorized) Version

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

One Unity Resource Bible

A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’

Translation for Translators

There was a widow in that city who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Please decide what is just in the dispute between me and the man who is opposing me in court!’

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now there was a widow in that city, and she came often to him, saying, 'Help me get justice against my opponent.'

Noah Webster Bible

And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary.

World English Bible

A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’

Young's Literal Translation

and a widow was in that city, and she was coming unto him, saying, Do me justice on my opponent,

Context

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

²“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men.³And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

Sermons

Rejoicing in the Lord

A.W. Pink

Day 18, Matthew 18

David Servant

Summary

In this parable, Jesus tells of a persistent widow who kept coming to a judge seeking justice against her adversary. The judge, though unjust, eventually grants her request because of her persistence. This verse teaches about the importance of persistent prayer and faith in God's justice, encouraging believers to persevere in seeking God's intervention in their lives. It also highlights God's willingness to hear and answer the prayers of His children, emphasizing the need for unwavering faith and trust in His timing and provision.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Avenge me of mine adversary - The original, εκδικησον με απο του αντιδικου μου, had better be translated, Do me justice against, or vindicate me from, my adversary. If the woman had come to get revenge, as our common translation intimates, I think our blessed Lord would never have permitted her to have the honor of a place in the sacred records. She desired to have justice, and that only; and by her importunity she got that which the unrighteous judge had no inclination to give, but merely for his own ease.

John Gill Bible Commentary

And there was a widow in that city,.... Poor and helpless, and none among men to counsel, direct, and assist her, and take her part: now as in the accommodation of this parable, the elect of God answer to this widow; such an one is rather pitched upon to represent the helpless, desolate, and forlorn condition they are in among men in this world, though they are espoused to one husband, Christ; and especially to signify the state and condition of God's elect among the Jews in those sad times, before the destruction of Jerusalem, this parable has respect unto. Christ is the bridegroom of his church and people; he is their husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and they are espoused as a chaste virgin to him; and whilst he was here on earth, his disciples, who were the children of the bridegroom, could not fast and mourn, for which they had no reason; but upon the death of Christ, when he was removed from them, they had great sorrow of heart; they were left like widows and orphans; hence those words of Christ, Joh 14:18 and were persecuted by the Jews in their own land; and wherever they went, they stirred up the Gentiles against them; and so things continued till near the destruction of Jerusalem; during which time many a request was made to God, the judge of the widows and fatherless, to the following purport: and she came unto him, saying, avenge me of my adversary; or do me justice in the cause depending between me, and him that has wronged me; hear the cause, and do right; vindicate, and deliver me. Many are the adversaries of God's people, as the sins and corruptions of their own hearts, Satan, and his angels, wicked oppressors, and persecutors; the last seem, in the mystical sense, to be designed here: it is lawful to pray for vengeance on them; it is right to apply to God, and leave it with him, to whom it belongs; and it has been the suit and cry of the best of men; see Rev 6:9. It does not become the people of God to avenge themselves, even when it is in the power of their hands; nor should they desire it for their own sakes, so much as for the glory of God; they should ask it, not to gratify a revengeful spirit in them, but for the honour or divine justice; and this should be always with submission to the will of God, leaving it to his own time and way, to whom vengeance belongs, and who has said it is mine, and I will repay it; as he certainly will sooner or later: the purity of his nature, his abhorrence of sin, and sinful men, and his love to his own people engage him to it.

Luke 18:3

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

²“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men.³And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

American Standard Version (1901)

and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

Bible in Basic English

And there was a widow in that town, and she kept on coming to him and saying, Give me my right against the man who has done me wrong.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And there was a certain widow in that city, and she came to him, saying: Avenge me of my adversary.

Free Bible Version

“In the same town lived a widow who time and again went to the judge, saying, ‘Give me justice in the case against my enemy!’

Geneva Bible 1599

And there was a widowe in that citie, which came vnto him, saying, Doe mee iustice against mine aduersarie.

King James (Authorized) Version

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

One Unity Resource Bible

A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’

Translation for Translators

There was a widow in that city who kept coming to him, saying, ‘Please decide what is just in the dispute between me and the man who is opposing me in court!’

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now there was a widow in that city, and she came often to him, saying, 'Help me get justice against my opponent.'

Noah Webster Bible

And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary.

World English Bible

A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’

Young's Literal Translation

and a widow was in that city, and she was coming unto him, saying, Do me justice on my opponent,

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Luke 18:3

Verse

Context

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Sermons

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Luke 18:3

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

Rejoicing in the Lord

Day 18, Matthew 18

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes