Bible Strands
Luke 18:3
And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator places a widow in a specific town who repeatedly appeals to a local judge for legal redress against her opponent. This occurs at the opening of Jesus’ parable, immediately following the description of the judge who neither fears God nor respects men.
The words — χήρα (chēra) identifies the petitioner as a widow, a figure lacking legal standing in the ancient context. ἦν (ēn) establishes her continuous presence as "there was," anchoring the scene in a concrete location.
The thread — The demand for widow justice aligns with Isaiah 1:17, which commands defending the oppressed, and stands in direct contrast to Job 22:9, which condemns sending widows away empty-handed. Jeremiah 5:28 further documents the systemic neglect of vulnerable groups that this narrative confronts.
Why it lands — The text records a marginalized figure’s persistent demand for legal fairness from an indifferent authority. It requires the reader to observe the mechanics of relentless appeal before drawing any theological conclusion about prayer or divine response.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
- Job 22:9 You sent widows away empty-handed, and the strength of the fatherless was crushed.
- Jeremiah 5:28 They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.
- Deuteronomy 27:19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
- Job 29:13 The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.
- Luke 18:7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?
- Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.
- 2 Samuel 14:5 “What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead.
- Isaiah 1:21 See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!