Luke 18

By the similitude of a widow and an unrighteous Jesus Christ teacheth that we must hold on in prayer 1 and another similitude of a Pharisee and a publican he teacheth that God hears and justifies the penitent sinner and not those which rely on their own righteousness 9 commands that the little children shall be suffered to come to him 15 answereth the question of a ruler what he must do to obtain eternal life and directs him to keeping of commandments 18 teacheth how hardly the rich are saved 24 promiseth both here and hereafter to recompence those who forsake all for his sake 28 foretells his sufferings death and resurrections 31 near Jericho he makes a blind man to see 35

1. And also he told parable into them tending to this that we must always pray [that is at all opportunities continue to pray until we obtain and not negligent and those our courage although we be not heard presently] and not grow weary

2. Saying there was a certain judge in a city which feared not God and respected no man

3. And there was a certain widow in the same city and she came unto him saying do me right [or avenge me as also verse 7] against mine advisory

4. And he would not for a long time afterwards he said with himself I fear not God and respect no man

5. Not withstanding because this widow is troublesome to me I will do her right left finally she come [Gr to the end or continually that is with continual running to me] and break mine head [or destruct me the Greek word properly signifies to strike under the sight or as it were with blows on the face to make ones head stupid and senseless.

6. And the Lord saith hear what the unrighteous judge saith

7. And shall not God then right his right his own elect which cry unto him day and night although he is long suffering concerning them? [That is seems slowly to com unto this by punishing the ungodly to deliver unto the elect]

8. I say unto ye that he shall right them speedily [Gr in haste that is unexpectedly] yet the on of man when he cometh [namely to judge] shall he also find faith on the earth [that is the number of the faithful shall then be small yet shall be some then also 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17]

9. And he said unto some which were confident with themselves [or on themselves] that they were righteous and esteemed nothing of others this similitude

10. Two men went up into the temple [for the temple was built on mountain Moria in the highest part of the city see 2 Chronicles 3:1] to pray the one was a Pharisee the other was a publican

11. the Pharisee standing prayed this with himself [or standing by himself]o God I thank thee that I am not as the rest of men extortioners unjust adulterers or even this publican

12. I fast twice a week [Gr on the Sabbath that is in the week see Mark 16:9] I give tenths of all [or tithe all] that I possess

13. And the publicans standing afar off from the altar and from the holy place in the first entrance of the court of the temple is token of shame for his sins would not lift up so much as his eyes towards heaven but smote on his breasts [in token of hearty furrow for the same sins] saying O God be gracious to me a sinner

14. I say unto you this man went down [namely from the temple see verse 10] justified [that is accounted for righteous by God whereof see more largely Romans 3:20 c.]into his house more then he [namely the Pharisees seeing the publicans was justified before God and not the Pharisee although he accounted himself justified and was also accounted by man] for everyone that exalteth himself shall be brought low and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted

15. And they brought little children unto him that he should touch them [that is lay hands upon them to bless them see Matthew 19:13 Mark 10:16] and the disciples seeing that rebuked them [namely those that brought the children]

16. But Jesus called those little children unto him and said let the little children come unto me and hinder them not [or forbid them not] for of such is the kingdom of God [see hereof Matthew 19:14]

17. Verily I say unto you whoso shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child [that is in humility simplicity and up righteousness Psalms 131:1,2] he shall in no wise come into the same

18. And a certain ruler asked him [see of history Matthew 19:16] saying good master what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19. And Jesus said unto him what callest ye thou me good? None is good but namely God

20. Thou knowest commandment thou shall not commit adultery thou shall not steal thou shall not kill thou shall not bear false witnesses honour thy father thy and mother

21. And he said all these things have I observed from my youth

22. But Jesus hearing this said unto him but yet one thing thou lackest [namely whereby thou shall be able to understand how far thou art yet from perfection on that thou presumest of see further hereof Matthew 19:21] sell all that thou hast and divide it amongst the poor and thou shalt have a treasure in heaven and come hither follow me

23. And when he heard this h became very sad for he was very rich

24. Now Jesus seeing that he was very sad said how hardly shall they that have goods [that is they that are rich and put their trust in riches as is declared Mark 10:24] enter into the kingdom of God

25. For it is easier that a camel [or cable of this proverb see Matthew 19:24] go through the eye of a needle then that a rich man should enter into the kingdom of God.

26. And they that heard this said who then can this be saved?

27. And he said the things that are impossible with man are possible with God [see Matthew 19:26]

28. And Peter said behold us have left all and followed thee

29. And he said unto them verily I say unto ye that there is no man who hath forsaken house or parents or brethren or wife or children for the kingdom of God

30. Which shall not receive manifold in this time [this promise is always fulfilled by spiritual gifts or oftentimes also by temporal] and in the world to ciome eternal life

31. And he took the twelve with him and he said unto them behold we go up to Jerusalem and it shall be accomplished on the son of man that is written by the prophets [otherwise that is written by the prophets concerning the son of man]

32. For he shall be delivered over to the Gentiles and he shall be mocked and reproached handled and spit upon

33. And having scourged him they shall put him to death and the third day he shall rise again

34. And they understood none of these things [for as much as they were yet possessed with the commoners rour concerning the wordly kingdom of Christ] and this word was hid from them and they understood not that which was said

35. And it came to pass as he came nigh unto Jericho that a certain blind man [see Matthew chapter 20 verse30 speaketh of two blind man whereof see reconciliation Mark 10.464 although some because of the difference of the places where this came to pass think that it is another history but this difference is by others thus reconciled that these blind man indeed began to cry out in the entrance of Jericho but that Christ first restored them to their sight when he was gone through Jericho] sate by the way begging

36. And hearing the multitude pass by asked what that was

37. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth passed by

38. And he cried saying Jesus thou son of David have mercy on me

39. And they that passed by rebuked him that he should hold his peace but he cried so much more thy son of David have mercy on me

40. And Jesus standing still he commanded that he should be brought unto him and when he was come nigh him he asked him

41. Saying what will thou shall do unto thee? And he said Lord that I may receive the sight

42. And Jesus said unto him receive thy sight for thy faith have saved thee

43. And straightway he received his sight and glorifying him and all the people seeing that gave glory to God