The persistent widow: Luke 18 and the unjust judge who finally gave in

The judge did not fear God or care about people. The widow had no money, no husband and no influence. By every measure, she should have lost her case. But she kept coming back, day after day, saying, “Avenge me of mine adversary.” Finally, the judge gave in, not because he cared, but because she would not leave him alone. Jesus told this story, Luke says, to teach that people “ought always to pray, and not to faint.”

The judge and the widow

Luke states the purpose of the parable at the start: to encourage persistent prayer. The judge is described as someone who “feared not God, neither regarded man”. He was the opposite of what a judge should be. Widows were among the most vulnerable people in ancient society. Scripture repeatedly calls for their protection.

The widow kept returning. Her only power was her refusal to give up. The judge said to himself, “Because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”

Faith and prayer for justice

Jesus’ point is not that God is like the judge. If even an unjust judge gives justice to a persistent widow, how much more will a loving God answer his people? Jesus says God will avenge his people “speedily”, even when the wait feels long. The parable ends with a question: “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

The parable encourages believers to pray for justice for the oppressed. Persistence in prayer is an expression of trust, not a way to manipulate God.

For today and justice

Which prayer have you stopped praying that you should take up again? Lord, give me faith to keep praying and not lose heart. Right after this story, Luke records the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, which teaches humility in prayer. Together, the two parables show that prayer should be both persistent and humble.

God cares about justice for the weak. The widow had nothing but persistence, and it was enough to move a man who cared for no one. Jesus told the story so his listeners would remember that the God they pray to does care.