And there was a widow in that town
In biblical times, widows were often among the most vulnerable members of society. Without a husband to provide for them, they frequently faced economic hardship and social marginalization. The Old Testament law provided specific protections for widows (Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 10:18), emphasizing God's concern for their welfare. The mention of a widow in this parable highlights her vulnerability and the expectation that justice should be extended to her. The setting of "that town" suggests a local context, possibly a small community where everyone knew each other, which would make her plight more visible yet still unresolved.

who kept appealing to him
The persistence of the widow is a central theme in this parable. Her continual appeals indicate her desperation and determination. In the cultural context, a woman repeatedly approaching a judge would have been seen as bold, as women typically had limited legal standing. This persistence is a model of faith and perseverance, echoing other biblical teachings on persistent prayer (Luke 11:5-8). Her actions demonstrate a relentless pursuit of justice, which is a key aspect of the parable's message.

‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
The widow's plea for justice underscores the biblical theme of righteousness and justice, which are foundational to God's character (Psalm 89:14). Her adversary is not named, which universalizes her plight, making it applicable to any situation where injustice occurs. The demand for justice reflects the biblical call for God's people to seek justice and defend the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17). This plea also foreshadows the ultimate justice that will be realized in God's kingdom, where wrongs are righted and the oppressed are vindicated. The widow's cry for justice can be seen as a type of the believer's appeal to God, the righteous judge, for deliverance and vindication.

1. The Widow
In Luke 18:3, the widow represents a figure of vulnerability and persistence. Widows in biblical times often had little social standing and were dependent on others for support. Her persistence in seeking justice is central to the parable.

2. The Unjust Judge
This character is described as one who neither fears God nor respects people. He represents authority figures who are indifferent to righteousness and justice.

3. The City
The setting of the parable, representing a place where justice should be administered. It serves as a backdrop for the interaction between the widow and the judge.

4. The Parable of the Persistent Widow
This event is a teaching moment from Jesus, illustrating the power of persistent prayer and faith in God's justice.Persistence in Prayer
The widow's relentless pursuit of justice teaches us the importance of being persistent in our prayers. We should not lose heart but continue to bring our requests before God.

God's Justice vs. Human Justice
Unlike the unjust judge, God is righteous and just. We can trust that He will bring about justice in His perfect timing.

Advocacy for the Vulnerable
The widow's situation reminds us of our responsibility to advocate for those who are vulnerable and marginalized in society.

Faith in Action
The widow's actions demonstrate faith in action. Our faith should compel us to act, especially in the face of injustice.

Trust in God's Character
The parable encourages us to trust in God's character, knowing that He is compassionate and attentive to our needs.(3) There was a widow in that city.--The neglect of the cause of the widow had always been noted by Lawgiver and Prophet--and it was one of the notes of a high ethical standard in both--as the extremest form of oppressive tyranny (Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 27:19; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 1:23; Ezekiel 22:7). Comp. also the speech of the widow of Tekoah (2Samuel 14:2; 2Samuel 14:5). . . . Verse 3. - And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. The petitioner was a woman and a widow, the latter being in the East a synonym for helplessness. With no one to defend her or plead her cause, this widow was ever a prey to the covetous. Not once nor twice in the noble generous words of the chivalrous Hebrew prophets we find this readiness on the part of those in power to neglect, if not to oppress these helpless widow-women, sternly commented upon. So in Isaiah we read (Isaiah 1:23), "They judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them." While Jesus (Matthew 23:14) includes this cowardly sin among the evil deeds of the rulers of the Israel of his day: "Ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer." A more desperate situation, as regards any hope of obtaining the object of her earnest prayer, could not well be pictured - a careless, corrupt judge of the lawless Herod period for the tribunal in Israel, and a poor helpless widow for the suppliant. The forlorn woman of the parable represents the Church or people of God in dire straits, overborne by an unbelieving world and seemingly forgotten even of their God. The story is a reminder that there is hope even in that extreme situation sketched in the parable, if the petitioner only continues persistent in her prayer. The argument which lies on the surface of the parable, teaching is obvious: if such a judge will in the end listen to the prayer of a suppliant for whom he cares nothing, will not God surely listen to the repeated prayer of a suppliant whom he loves with a deep, enduring love? Such is the argument of the story. Importunity, it seems to say, must inevitably triumph. But underlying this there is much deep teaching, of which, perhaps, the most important item is that it insists upon the urgent necessity for us all to continue in prayer, never fainting in this exercise though no answer seems to come. "The whole limb of the faithful," as Origen once grandly said, "should be one great connected prayer." That is the real moral of the story; but there are a number of minor bits of Divine teaching contained in this curious parable setting, as we shall see. Avenge me of mine adversary. We must not suppose that mere vengeance in the vulgar sense is what the widow prayed for; that would be of no use to her; all she wanted was that the judge should deliver her from the oppression which her adversary exercised over her, no doubt in keeping from her the heritage to which she was lawfully entitled. Of course, the granting her prayer would revolve loss and possibly punishment to her fraudulent oppressor.

Parallel Commentaries ...


And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

there was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

a widow
χήρα (chēra)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5503: Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

that
ἐκείνῃ (ekeinē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

town
πόλει (polei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

who kept appealing
ἤρχετο (ērcheto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

him,
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

‘Give me justice
Ἐκδίκησόν (Ekdikēson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1556: To give justice over, defend, avenge, vindicate. From ekdikos; to vindicate, retaliate, punish.

[against]
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

adversary.’
ἀντιδίκου (antidikou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 476: An opponent (at law), an adversary. From anti and dike; an opponent; specially, Satan.


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NT Gospels: Luke 18:3 A widow was in that city (Luke Lu Lk)