Luke 18 3

Luke 18:3 kjv

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

Luke 18:3 nkjv

Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.'

Luke 18:3 niv

And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

Luke 18:3 esv

And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'

Luke 18:3 nlt

A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, 'Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.'

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 3 Meaning

Luke 18:3 introduces a pivotal character in Jesus' parable: "And there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Judge, give me justice against my adversary.’" This verse sets the stage by presenting a vulnerable and unprivileged woman who seeks vindication from an unrighteous judge against someone oppressing her. It highlights her desperate situation and her only recourse – persistent petition – emphasizing the need for legal redress and her determined pursuit of it. Her request, "give me justice," signifies her cry for protection and a rightful legal judgment against a wrongful act.

Luke 18 3 Context

Luke 18:3 is part of the Parable of the Persistent Widow (or Unjust Judge), which Jesus shares immediately after discussing the coming of the Son of Man and the need for readiness (Luke 17:20-37). The parable itself (Luke 18:1-8) directly serves as an illustration for the opening statement: "that people always ought to pray and not lose heart." Therefore, the immediate context emphasizes the nature and necessity of persistent prayer, especially in challenging or uncertain times, highlighting that even an unjust earthly judge can be swayed by persistence, making God's responsiveness even more certain due to His character. The broader historical and cultural context for the original audience reveals that widows, lacking male protectors in ancient patriarchal societies, were highly vulnerable to exploitation and had little legal standing unless an advocate represented them. Their access to justice often depended on the mercy or diligence of officials.

Luke 18 3 Word analysis

• widow (χήρα - chēra): In the ancient world, a chēra was among the most vulnerable members of society. Without a husband or male heir to represent and protect her legal and economic interests, she was often marginalized and susceptible to injustice and poverty. God's law frequently commanded care and protection for widows (Deut 10:18; Jas 1:27), contrasting with the societal reality where they were often neglected or exploited by unrighteous individuals. Her status underscores her powerlessness and absolute reliance on the judge.
• city (πόλει - polei): Refers to a specific town where this drama unfolds. It suggests a formal legal system existed, however corrupt it might be.
• she came (ἤρχετο - ērcheto): The imperfect tense in Greek, not just a single act, but a continuous or repeated coming. This denotes the widow's persistence, repeated efforts, and ongoing petitioning. It sets up the central theme of persistence in the parable.
• him (αὐτὸν - auton): Refers to the "judge" mentioned in Luke 18:2, who is characterized as one who "did not fear God and did not respect man."
• saying (λέγουσα - legousa): Implies her direct and vocal address to the judge, continually presenting her plea.
• Judge (Κριτῇ - Kritē): A direct address to the judicial authority. The term highlights his office and power to deliver judgment.
• give me justice / avenge me (Ἐκδίκησόν με - Ekdikēson me): This is an Aorist imperative, a direct command. The Greek verb ekdikeō carries the meaning of vindication, avenging, or seeing justice done for someone. It is not necessarily about personal revenge, but about obtaining a legal right or redress for wrong, to bring a proper judgment or to execute righteous judgment. For the vulnerable, this meant obtaining legal protection from a wrongdoer. This act implies making a wrong right through legal action.
• adversary (ἀντιδίκου - antidikou): A legal opponent, an accuser in a lawsuit. This term suggests a formal legal dispute, with one party having wronged the widow and the judge having the power to mediate or rule. The root "anti-" means against, and "-dikou" relates to justice or legal rights, thus someone acting "against" her legal standing.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And there was a widow in that city": This phrase establishes the socio-economic and relational vulnerability of the main character. In ancient Jewish society, a widow often lacked legal standing or a male protector, making her highly susceptible to injustice and economic hardship. Her very identity as a widow signals her desperation and powerlessness, making her reliance on an external authority like the judge absolute.
• "and she came to him, saying": The use of the imperfect tense "she came" (ērcheto) emphasizes the continuous and repeated nature of her visits. It paints a picture of relentless pursuit rather than a single attempt. This persistence is crucial, as it ultimately wears down even the unrighteous judge. It also demonstrates her unwavering conviction that justice is due to her.
• "Judge, give me justice against my adversary": This direct and bold address underscores her desperate plea. She recognizes the judge's authority and seeks a specific act: ekdikeō—vindication. It signifies her legal demand for redress against someone who has wronged or exploited her. The term "adversary" (antidikos) is a legal one, referring to an opponent in a lawsuit or one who has infringed upon her rights. This highlights a specific grievance and the necessity for the judge to intervene and administer justice.

Luke 18 3 Bonus section

• The parable's power lies in its a fortiori (from the stronger) argument: if persistence works with a bad judge, how much more with a good God. The unjust judge, a legal figure of questionable integrity and lacking piety, highlights the complete contrast with God's character as a perfectly righteous and benevolent judge who always champions the cause of the oppressed.
• The "adversary" mentioned here has sometimes been interpreted as having an allegorical link to Satan, the "accuser of our brethren" (Rev 12:10) and our spiritual "adversary" (1 Pet 5:8). While the immediate context is a legal dispute, the spiritual application points to the need for God's divine justice against evil forces.
• The widow's cry for "justice" (ekdikēsis) resonates with the ultimate vindication of God’s elect who cry out day and night to Him (Luke 18:7), particularly concerning suffering and tribulation, awaiting Christ's return and the final establishment of righteousness.

Luke 18 3 Commentary

Luke 18:3 is the narrative pivot in Jesus’ parable, contrasting extreme human vulnerability with judicial indifference. The widow's cry, "Judge, give me justice against my adversary," is born of a profound societal disadvantage; her existence exemplifies the vulnerable position that the Mosaic Law commanded special protection for. Her persistent coming (imperfect tense of "came") is not mere pleading but an incessant demand for her right. She embodies faithful endurance, seeking vindication from a power structure indifferent to her plight but still capable of providing justice. The parable uses this dire scenario to reveal how persistence, even in the face of an unrighteous and self-serving judge, eventually achieves its aim. This sets the stage for the powerful a fortiori argument that follows: if even an unjust judge yields to persistence, how much more will a righteous, loving, and just God, who already desires to vindicate His elect, respond to the cries of His children. This verse, therefore, lays the groundwork for understanding the paramount importance of unceasing prayer, assurance of God’s timely justice, and the stark contrast between human earthly courts and the divine heavenly court.