Luke 18:8

I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples, closing the parable of the persistent widow (18:1–8) and pivoting to the end time. The shift from illustration to direct question marks the transition from teaching to challenge.

The words — ἐκδίκησιν (ekdikēsin) is a rare NT term carrying the sense of vindication or avenging, stronger than the BSB's "justice." It signals that God's response to the elect's cry is not mere fairness but active retribution on their behalf.

The thread — Hebrews 10:23 grounds the promise in God's faithfulness to what He has spoken, while 2 Peter 3:8 reframes the "promptness" against God's own perception of time. Matthew 24:9 supplies the context of suffering that makes the question of enduring faith urgent.

Why it lands — The verse ends not with a promise but a question directed at the reader: when the Son of Man comes, will you still have faith? It forces the listener to measure their own endurance against the interval between the cry and the vindication.

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

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Cross-references

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
2 Peter 3:8 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
Psalms 46:5 God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.
Luke 17:26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man:
Psalms 143:7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.
1 Thessalonians 5:1 Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.
2 Peter 2:3 In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
James 5:1 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.