← Luke

Luke 18

1
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: Begin Abide·
2
“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. Begin Abide·
3
And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ Begin Abide·
4
For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men, Begin Abide·
5
yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Otherwise, she will wear me out with her perpetual requests.’” Begin Abide·
6
And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. Begin Abide·
7
Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them? Begin Abide·
8
I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Begin Abide·
9
To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: Begin Abide·
10
“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Begin Abide·
11
The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. Begin Abide·
12
I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ Begin Abide·
13
But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ Begin Abide·
14
I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Begin Abide·
15
Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them. Begin Abide·
16
But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Begin Abide·
17
Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Begin Abide·
18
Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Begin Abide·
19
“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone. Begin Abide·
20
You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’” Begin Abide·
21
“All these I have kept from my youth,” he said. Begin Abide·
22
On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” Begin Abide·
23
But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy. Begin Abide·
24
Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Begin Abide·
25
Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Begin Abide·
26
Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” Begin Abide·
27
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Begin Abide·
28
“Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.” Begin Abide·
29
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God Begin Abide·
30
will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.” Begin Abide·
31
Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. Begin Abide·
32
He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. Begin Abide·
33
They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.” Begin Abide·
34
But the disciples did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying. Begin Abide·
35
As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging. Begin Abide·
36
When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. Begin Abide·
37
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. Begin Abide·
38
So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Begin Abide·
39
Those who led the way admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Begin Abide·
40
Jesus stopped and directed that the man be brought to Him. When he had come near, Jesus asked him, Begin Abide·
41
“What do you want Me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “let me see again.” Begin Abide·
42
“Receive your sight!” Jesus replied. “Your faith has healed you.” Begin Abide·
43
Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Begin Abide·