Luke 18:1
New International Version
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

New Living Translation
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

English Standard Version
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

Berean Literal Bible
And He was speaking to them a parable about the way it behooves them always to pray and not to lose heart,

King James Bible
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

New King James Version
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

New American Standard Bible
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged,

NASB 1995
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

NASB 1977
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

Amplified Bible
Now Jesus was telling the disciples a parable to make the point that at all times they ought to pray and not give up and lose heart,

Christian Standard Bible
Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged:

American Standard Version
And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Contemporary English Version
Jesus told his disciples a story about how they should keep on praying and never give up:

English Revised Version
And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus used this illustration with his disciples to show them that they need to pray all the time and never give up.

Good News Translation
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to teach them that they should always pray and never become discouraged.

International Standard Version
Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray all the time and never give up.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

NET Bible
Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart.

New Heart English Bible
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,

Webster's Bible Translation
And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Weymouth New Testament
He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.

World English Bible
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He also spoke an allegory to them, that it is always necessary to pray and not to faint,

Berean Literal Bible
And He was speaking to them a parable about the way it behooves them always to pray and not to lose heart,

Young's Literal Translation
And he spake also a simile to them, that it behoveth us always to pray, and not to faint,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he spake to them a parable, that they must always pray, and not lose courage;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
AND he spoke also a parable to them, that we ought always to pray, and not to faint,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now he also told them a parable, that we should continually pray and not cease,

New American Bible
Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said,

New Revised Standard Version
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
HE also spake to them a parable, that they should pray always and not get weary.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He told them also a parable that they should pray at all times and they should not grow weary:
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he spoke a parable to them, that they ought always to pray, and not to become weary,

Godbey New Testament
And He spoke a parable to them that it behooves them to pray always, and not to faint;

Haweis New Testament
THEN he spake also to them a parable, to shew that we ought to pray always, and not faint;

Mace New Testament
Jesus propos'd likewise this parable to them, to show that they should persevere in prayer, and not be discouraged.

Weymouth New Testament
He also taught them by a parable that they must always pray and never lose heart.

Worrell New Testament
And He spake a parable to them, to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Worsley New Testament
And He spake also a parable to them, to shew that men ought always to pray, and not to faint:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Persistent Widow
1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men.…

Cross References
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.

1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.

Psalm 55:17
Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.

Psalm 86:3
Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I call to You all day long.

Psalm 88:1
A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You.

Psalm 116:2
Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.


Treasury of Scripture

And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

that.

Luke 11:5-8
And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; …

Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Genesis 32:9-12,24-26
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: …

and not.

Psalm 27:13
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Jonah 2:7
When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

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Always Behoveth Disciples Effect End Faint Heart Jesus Lose Making Ought Parable Prayer Show Simile Story Taught Telling Times Tired
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Always Behoveth Disciples Effect End Faint Heart Jesus Lose Making Ought Parable Prayer Show Simile Story Taught Telling Times Tired
Luke 18
1. Of the importunate widow.
9. Of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
15. Of Children brought to Jesus.
18. A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches.
28. The reward of those who leave all for his sake.
31. He foretells his death;
35. and restores a blind man to sight.














Then Jesus told them a parable
The phrase begins with "Then," indicating a continuation from previous teachings or events. Jesus often used parables, which are simple accounts used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. The Greek word for parable, "parabolē," means a placing beside or comparison. Parables were a common teaching method in Jewish tradition, allowing listeners to engage with profound truths through relatable narratives. Jesus, as the master teacher, used parables to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God to those with open hearts while concealing them from those who were spiritually blind.

about their need to pray
The phrase "their need to pray" underscores the essential nature of prayer in the life of a believer. The Greek word for "need," "dei," implies necessity or obligation. Prayer is not merely a suggestion but a vital component of a Christian's spiritual life. It is the means by which believers communicate with God, express their dependence on Him, and align their will with His. Historically, prayer has been a cornerstone of Jewish and Christian practice, with roots in the Hebrew Scriptures where figures like David and Daniel exemplified lives of devoted prayer.

at all times
The phrase "at all times" translates from the Greek "pantote," meaning always or continually. This emphasizes the importance of persistent and consistent prayer. The early church, as seen in the book of Acts, exemplified this continuous devotion to prayer, gathering regularly to seek God's guidance and strength. The call to pray without ceasing is a reminder that prayer is not confined to specific times or places but is a constant, ongoing dialogue with God, reflecting a life lived in His presence.

and not lose heart
The phrase "and not lose heart" comes from the Greek "enkakein," meaning to become weary or discouraged. Jesus acknowledges the human tendency to grow faint or give up, especially in the face of trials or delayed answers to prayer. This encouragement to persevere in prayer is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in the lives of the prophets and apostles who faced immense challenges yet remained steadfast. The historical context of the early church, which endured persecution and hardship, highlights the necessity of maintaining hope and faith through persistent prayer. Jesus assures His followers that God hears and responds to the cries of His people, urging them to remain faithful and trust in His timing and purposes.

XVIII.

(1) That men ought always to pray, and not to faint.--The latter of the two verbs is noticeable as being used in the New Testament by St. Luke and St. Paul only (2Corinthians 4:1; 2Corinthians 4:16; Galatians 6:9; 2Thessalonians 3:13). The whole verse is remarkable as being one of the few instances (Luke 18:9 being another) in which a parable is introduced by a distinct statement as to its drift and aim. . . .

Verses 1-14. - The Lord speaks the two parables on prayer - the importunate widow, and the Pharisee and publican. Verse 1. - And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. The formnla ἕλεγε δὲ καί, literally, "and he spake also," calls attention to the fact that the parable-teaching immediately to follow was a continuation of what had preceded. Indeed, the connection between the first of the two parables, which urges restless continued prayer, and the picture which the Lord had just drawn of men's state of utter forgetfulness of God, is obvious. "The Son of man has been rejected; he has gone from view; the masses are plunged in gross worldliness; men of God are become as rare as, in the days of Abraham, they were in Sodom. What, then, is the position of the Church? That of a widow whose only weapon is incessant prayer. It is only by means of this intense concentration that faith will be preserved. But such is precisely the disposition which Jesus fears may not be found even in the Church at his return" (Godet).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

[Jesus] told
Ἔλεγεν (Elegen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.

a parable
παραβολὴν (parabolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.

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

their
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
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.

need
δεῖν (dein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.

to pray
προσεύχεσθαι (proseuchesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

at all times
πάντοτε (pantote)
Adverb
Strong's 3842: Always, at all times, ever. From pas and hote; every when, i.e. At all times.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

lose heart:
ἐνκακεῖν (enkakein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1573: To be faint, be weary. From ek and kakos; to be weak, i.e. to fail.


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NT Gospels: Luke 18:1 He also spoke a parable to them (Luke Lu Lk)
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