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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:
PRAYER, HUMILITY AND RICH DIFFICULTIES

[“Humble Child and Rich Possibilities”]
Key word: Humility

Luke 18:1-8 – Persistence in Prayer

LK18:1 Then Jesus began to relate a parable to his disciples about the need for them to persist in prayer and never lose heart. LK18:2 He said: “A certain judge 796 was in a certain city and he had no fear of The God or humans.

796	A certain judge: Likely a Jewish judge of Israel.

LK18:3 Now there was a widow in that city and she kept coming 797 to the judge, saying: ‘Give me justice against my adversary at law!’ 798

797	She kept coming: Or, ASV: she came oft; TCN: went to him again and again.

798

Give me justice against my adversary at law: Or, KJV: avenge me of mine adversary; TCN: grant me justice against my opponent; WMS: give me justice and protection from; PME: please protect me from the man who is trying to ruin me; RIE: begged him to protect her form an enemy of hers by giving judgment against him.

LK18:4 But the judge was not willing for a time, but after a while he said to himself, ‘For sure I do not fear God nor do I respect humans. LK18:5 However, because this widow continues to pester me 799 I will grant her justice, otherwise she will come here and punch me in the eye.’” 800

799	Pester me: Or, trouble, annoy, bother.

800	Punch me in the eye: Or, weary me, plaguing, slap me in the face. The Greek HYPOPIAZE is literally to “hit under the eye.” The image of the little widow punching the judge is almost cartoonish in humor.

LK18:6 Then the Master said: “Do you hear what this unrighteous judge said? LK18:7 Will The God never avenge the Chosen Ones 801 who cry aloud to Him day and night 802 and not be tolerant regarding them? 803

801	Avenge the Chosen Ones: Or, KJV: avenge his own elect. Compare notes on Revelation 6:9-11.

802	Who cry aloud to Him day and night: The persistent prayer of the Elect is not for personal gain, but for ultimate vengeance against their oppressors.

803	Not be tolerant regarding them: Or, WEY: although He delays vengeance on their behalf; BAS: though he is long in doing it; PME: patient as he is.

LK18:8 I tell all of you that He will truly bring speedy justice upon them. However, when the ‘Son of Humankind’ returns 804 will he actually discover the Faith on earth?” 805

804	Returns: Or, comes, arrives. A synonym for PAROUSIA.

805	Will he actually discover the Faith on earth: Or, KNX: will he find faith left; PME: men on earth who believe in him. It is a rhetorical question and the prophetic answer is, Yes.

Luke 18:9-14 – Examples of Pride and Humility

LK18:9 Also Jesus spoke this parable to those who were overly self-confident, self-righteous, 806 and who did not respect others: 807

806	Overly self-confidence, self-righteous: Or, KJV: trusted in themselves that they were righteous; WEY: relied on themselves; TCN: satisfied that they were religious; MOF: sure of their own goodness; RIE: who felt secure in their own righteousness.

807	Who did not respect others: Or, KJV: despised others; GDS: thought nothing of others; NOR: a very low regard for others.

LK18:10 “Two persons went up to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. LK18:11 The Pharisee prayed standing alone, ‘The God, 808 I thank You that I am not like other humans – swindlers, unrighteous, adulterers, 809 or even as this tax-collector.

808	The God: Both begin their prayers with HO THEOS.

809	Swindlers, unrighteous, adulterers: Or, KJV: extortioners, unjust; TCN: thieves, rogues; GDS: greedy, dishonest; KNX: steal and cheat.

LK18:12 I fast twice a week. I tithe of everything I receive.’ LK18:13 However, the tax-collector standing some distance away was not even willing to raise his eyes toward heaven. Rather he kept beating his chest, saying: ‘The God, have mercy on me, this sinner!’ LK18:14 I tell you, this tax-collector returned to his home more innocent 810 than the Pharisee. Because everyone who continues to exalt self will be humiliated, but the person who remains humble will be exalted.” 811

810	More innocent: Or, justified, freed from guilt, acquitted, declared righteous.

811	Humble will be exalted: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew 23:12. [James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5]

Luke 18:15-17 – The Kingdom Is for the Child-like

|| Matthew 19:13-15; 812 Mark 10:13-16 813

812	Matthew 19:13-15: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

813	Mark 10:13-16: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK18:15 Now people were also bringing their infant children to Jesus so he would touch them. LK18:16 Then Jesus called for them, saying: “Allow the children to approach me and stop preventing them, for God’s Realm belongs to such. LK18:17 I tell you this truth: Anybody who does not accept God’s Realm like a child will never enter into it.”

Luke 18:18-30 – Difficulties for the Rich

|| Matthew 19:16-29; 814 Mark 10:17-30 815

814	Matthew 19:16-29: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

815	Mark 10:17-30: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK18:18 Then a certain ruler 816 asked Jesus: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?” 817

816	Ruler: Or, GDS: a member of the council; NEB: a man of the ruling class.

817

What must I do to inherit everlasting life: Note Jesus does not answer, “Just believe in me.” He tells this rich Jewish prince that he must first keep the Commandments, particularly the five listed. Having already lived his life righteously, Jesus then tells him to divest himself of his wealth and give to charity. Only after doing this may he then embark on Nazarene discipleship. This route is the way to everlasting life. Compare notes on the same question at Luke 10:25 where love of God and neighbor are included.

LK18:19 So Jesus told him: “Why do you call me ‘good’? The only One who is ‘good’ is The God! 818

818	The only One who is ‘good’ is The God: Jesus did not consider himself God. Only God does not receive His goodness from others, while all others – including the Son – are declared good in a more qualified sense by The God.

LK18:20 You know the commandments 819 – ‘Do not commit adultery.’ ‘Do not murder.’ ‘Do not steal.’ ‘Do not testify falsely.’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’” [Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20]

819	Commandments: Jesus gives his Five Commandments. It is interesting he does not include the Sabbath, but includes care of parents.

LK18:21 The ruler said: “I have kept all of these from my youth!” LK18:22 Now when Jesus heard this he told him: “There is still one thing lacking in you – sell everything you possess and share with the poor, 820 and then you will have heavenly treasure. Then, come and follow me.” 821

820	Share with the poor: Or, KJV: distribute; MOF: distribute the money among the poor. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Luke 12:33. Compare notes on Romans 12:13.

821	Then, come and follow me: He is to do the above BEFORE embarking on Nazarene discipleship.

LK18:23 But when the ruler heard this he became deeply grieved 822 for he was very rich. 823

822	Deeply grieved: Or, very sorrowful, his heart sank, filled with gloom.

823

Very rich: Or, extremely rich, surpassingly rich, wealthy. See notes elsewhere on riches in Luke. “Rich” means to have a surplus after fundamental human needs are met. This surplus may be used to secure the future, increase luxuries and leisure time, or share with the poor. The latter builds a treasure chest with God.

LK18:24 Observing this, Jesus [[became very sad and]] 824 said: “Only with great difficulty will those with money enter God’s Realm.

824	[became very sad and]: Some texts omit this.

LK18:25 For it is easier for a camel to crawl through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s Realm.” LK18:26 But those listening asked: “Then who can be saved?” LK18:27 Jesus said: “Things humanly impossible are possible for The God.” LK18:28 Then Peter said: “Look, we have left everything we possess to follow you!” 825

825	We have left everything we possess to follow you: As it turns out this may not be completely true. Compare notes on John 21:15.

LK18:29 Jesus told them: “I tell you this truth: Anyone who has left 826 house, wife, 827 brothers, parents, or children because of God’s Realm

826	Anyone who has left: Nothing may have greater priority than discipleship to the Nazarene Master. Jesus does not mean everyone must leave and forsake these things and people, BUT if circumstances evolve and the choice must be made between Christ and these things, the decision must be a simple one.

827	Wife: Only Luke includes the “wife.”

LK18:30 will receive many times more in this period of time, and in the future New Age everlasting life.”

Luke 18:31-34 – A Warning of Coming Events

|| Matthew 20:17-19; 828 Mark 10:32-34 829

828	Matthew 20:17-19: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

829	Mark 10:32-34: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK18:31 Then Jesus took the twelve aside and told them: “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem and all the things written by the prophets regarding the ‘Son of Humankind’ will be fulfilled. LK18:32 For he will be turned over to the non-Jews and they will make fun of him, treat him insolently and spit at him. LK18:33 And then they will scourge him and execute him, but on the third day he will be resurrected.” [Psalm 2:2, 2; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Jonah 1:17; Psalm 16:10] LK18:34 But the apostles did not understand any of these things for this message was hidden from them so that they could not understand any of it.

Luke 18:35-43 – Near Jericho a Blind Beggar Healed

|| Matthew 20:29-34; 830 Mark 10:46-52 831

830	Matthew 20:29-34: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

831	Mark 10:46-52: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK18:35 Now it happened when Jesus drew near to Jericho a certain blind man was beside the road begging. LK18:36 When he heard the crowd passing by he kept asking who this might be. LK18:37 Some told him that it was Jesus the Nazarene passing by. LK18:38 And so he cried out, saying: “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” LK18:39 Those passing in front of him were rebuking him and telling him to shut up. But he just kept crying more: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” LK18:40 Then Jesus stood there and commanded the blind man to be guided to him. LK18:41 When he had drawn near Jesus asked him: “What do you want me to do?” And so the man said: “Master, grant that I may regain my sight.” LK18:42 So Jesus said to him: “Regain your sight! Your faith has healed you!” LK18:43 And instantly he could see again and he began to follow Jesus glorifying The God. Also all the people who saw this kept giving praise to The God.

Review Questions on Chapter Eighteen