RSV ~ Luke 18 Notes

Lk 18:1-14 | ISB Notes

Two parables on Christian prayer. The first teaches that we should pray continually (18:2-8), the second that we should pray humbly, asking God for mercy (18:9-14) (CCC 2098, 2613).

Lk 18:3 | ISB Notes

a widow: Widows were often powerless and vulnerable in ancient society, and many were supported by fellow Israelites (Deut 26:12). Both Jesus and Luke take a compassionate interest in their plight (2:37; 4:25-26; 7:12; 20:47; 21:3).

Lk 18:5 | ISB Notes

her continual coming: The parable encourages persistent prayer (18:1). As the widow pleaded for justice, so we should persevere in faith and tirelessly petition God for our needs (Rom 12:12; 1 Thess 5:17).

Lk 18:6 | ISB Notes

the unrighteous judge: His indifference to the widow’s distress was a violation of justice (Deut 27:19). The parable’s outcome is thus a mere shadow of God’s concern for us. If an unjust and callous judge will vindicate a persevering widow, the Father will much more come to the aid of his prayerful children (Sir 35:12-17).

Lk 18:11 | ISB Notes

The Pharisee stood: A common prayer posture (Mt 6:5; Mk 11:25). God, I thank you: Because the Pharisee is prideful, he will be “humbled” (18:14) for presuming that his adherence to traditional forms of piety is an automatic guarantee of divine blessing (18:12). He sadly overlooked his need for God’s mercy (CCC 588).

See topical essay: Who Are the Pharisees? at Mk 2.

Lk 18:13 | ISB Notes

the tax collector: Considered sinners and second-class citizens by the Pharisees. See note on Mk 2:14. God, be merciful: A prayer of humility and dependence on God. Unlike the Pharisee, he parades none of his credentials before God and begs only for forgiveness (Ps 51:1-4; Dan 9:18) (CCC 2559, 2839).

Lk 18:16 | ISB Notes

belongs the kingdom: Since Baptism is the doorway into God’s kingdom (Jn 3:5), the early Church naturally administered the sacrament to young children (Acts 2:38-39; CCC 1250-52).

• Following the apostolic age, clear evidence for the widespread practice of Infant Baptism emerges from the second and third centuries A.D., where early Fathers such as Origen trace it back to apostolic tradition (Comm. Rom. 5, 9). The Council of Trent (1547) later confirmed and promoted the practice (Sess. 7, can. 13).

Lk 18:20 | ISB Notes

the commandments: Jesus gives the Ten Commandments a central place in the Christian life. Although the sacrificial and judicial legislation of the Old Covenant has since passed away, its moral laws remain essential to our pursuit of eternal life (Rom 13:8-10; 1 Cor 7:19). See note on Mk 10:27.

Lk 18:22 | ISB Notes

Sell all: Jesus exposes the rich man’s greatest weakness: his attachment to earthly wealth (18:23). Because his heart is tied to his possessions, even the prospect of gaining eternal life fails to conquer his affections for them. Unless we become “poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3), wealth will have the same disastrous effect on us as it has on the rich man. Note that Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10) and Joseph of Arimathea (Mt 27:57) were also wealthy, yet both preferred the higher treasures of the kingdom by responding to the gospel. See note on Mt 19:24.

Lk 18:29 | ISB Notes

wife … brothers … parents: Disciples who surrender earthly goods to the Lord exchange them for heavenly ones in return (9:57-62; 14:26). These worldly sacrifices are far outmatched by God’s eternal gifts (9:24; Phil 3:8).

Lk 18:31-34 | ISB Notes

Jesus makes several Passion predictions in Luke (9:22, 44; 12:50; 13:33; 17:25). Only here does he mention the involvement of the Gentiles (i.e., Romans).

Lk 18:31 | ISB Notes

by the prophets: The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus were part of the prearranged plan of God (24:25-27, 44; Acts 2:14-23; 3:18, 24; 8:32-35).

Lk 18:35 | ISB Notes

Jericho: About 17 miles northeast of Jerusalem. The city was renovated by Herod the Great nearly a mile from the OT city of Jericho, which was uninhabited by the first century (Josh 6:26).

a blind man: Mark calls him “Bartimaeus” (Mk 10:46). Ironically, this blind beggar saw Jesus’ identity more clearly than the crowds who rebuked him (18:39).

• Morally (St. Augustine, Sermo 351): the crowd signifies fellow believers who walk with Christ and yet sometimes hinder our progress in the spiritual life. We must strive, like the blind man, to overcome their discouragement and make growth in virtue our spoken prayer to Christ.

Lk 18:38 | ISB Notes

Son of David: A title for the Messiah, who was expected to bring God’s healing to Israel (4:18; Is 35:4-6; Mt 11:2-5). He would also follow the steps of King Solomon, the royal son of David, whom Jewish tradition revered as a great healer and exorcist (Wis 7:20; Mt 12:22-23).