Luke 18:6 – “And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says.'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus shifts from telling the parable of the persistent widow to drawing attention to its meaning. By saying, “Listen to what the unjust judge says,” He wants His disciples to reflect on the lesson taught by the judge’s response. Although the judge is corrupt and selfish, he still grants justice to the widow because of her persistence. If even an unjust judge can be moved to act, Jesus is making the case that God—who is perfectly just—will certainly respond to His children who cry out to Him day and night.
The verse serves as a transition from the story to the deeper spiritual truth Jesus wants His followers to grasp: persistence in prayer is effective, not because God is reluctant, but because He is faithful and loving.
Historical Context
During Jesus’ time, parables were a common teaching method. Jesus used them to teach spiritual truths by drawing from everyday situations that His listeners could understand. In this case, a widow seeking justice from a judge would have been a familiar scenario in the first-century Jewish world, where corruption and delayed justice were common.
Judges were expected to uphold God’s laws and defend the rights of the vulnerable, but many did not. Jesus’ audience would have easily recognized the unfairness in the judge’s behavior and understood the significance of the widow’s persistence. Jesus uses this cultural backdrop to highlight how different God’s justice is from the flawed human systems they were used to.
Theological Implications
This verse emphasizes the certainty of God’s justice. If persistence can sway an unjust judge, then believers can be confident that God, who is perfectly just, will answer their prayers. Jesus’ message is clear: persistence in prayer isn’t about forcing God to act, but about trusting that He will act according to His perfect wisdom and timing.
It also shows that prayer is an expression of faith. Believers don’t pray persistently because they doubt God’s goodness, but because they trust Him to bring justice and provide what is needed, even when answers aren’t immediate. The parable reveals that God’s delays aren’t denials—they are part of His plan to grow believers’ faith and refine their character.
Literary Analysis
This verse marks a key turning point in the parable. The command, “Listen to what the unjust judge says,” is meant to draw attention to the irony and contrast between the judge and God. Jesus frequently used contrasts in His teaching to make His points more striking and memorable. The unjust judge, who acts out of selfishness, is a stark contrast to God, who responds out of love and compassion.
The word “listen” signals that Jesus is about to explain the deeper spiritual meaning of the parable. It’s not just a story about persistence—it’s a lesson about God’s character and His desire to answer the prayers of His people.
Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 34:17 – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”
- Isaiah 30:18 – “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.”
- James 5:16 – “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
- 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
These verses affirm that God hears the prayers of His people and that His timing is perfect, even when it feels delayed.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder to take Jesus’ teaching on prayer seriously. The message isn’t just about persistence; it’s about having faith in God’s justice and His timing. It encourages believers to continue praying, even when they don’t see immediate results, because they can trust that God is working behind the scenes for their good.
This verse also challenges Christians to examine their view of God. Do they see Him as a reluctant judge who needs to be persuaded to act, or do they trust Him as a loving Father who desires to hear and answer their prayers? Persistent prayer isn’t about changing God’s mind—it’s about deepening the believer’s trust in His faithfulness.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is demonstrated in the fact that He is the opposite of the unjust judge. While the judge only acted to avoid being bothered, God responds to His children because He loves them. His delays aren’t signs of neglect but opportunities for believers to grow in their relationship with Him.
God’s love means that He listens carefully to every prayer and answers according to what is best for His children. He doesn’t just hear prayers—He cares deeply about the needs and struggles of His people. His love is patient, compassionate, and unfailing.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus Himself is the ultimate proof of God’s love and justice. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled God’s plan to bring justice to a broken world. He took on the penalty of sin so that believers could have access to God and approach Him confidently in prayer.
In Hebrews 4:14-16, believers are encouraged to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Jesus intercedes for them. Jesus’ role as an advocate and High Priest ensures that God hears the prayers of His people. His sacrifice guarantees that God’s justice will ultimately prevail, both in this life and in the life to come.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever struggled to stay persistent in prayer? What helped you keep going?
- What does this parable teach you about God’s justice compared to human justice?
- How can you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness when answers to prayer seem delayed?
- In what ways does Jesus’ role as your intercessor give you confidence in prayer?
- What steps can you take to develop a more consistent and trusting prayer life?