Introduction
Jesus continues teaching and healing.
Verses
1He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,
2saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man.
3A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’
4He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man,
5yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’ ”
6The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.
7Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?
8I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
9He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
10“Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
11The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’
13But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
15They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
17Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
18A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God.
20You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother.’ ”
21He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.”
22When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
23But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.
24Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!
25For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
26Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”
28Peter said, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”
29He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake,
31He took the twelve aside, and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.
32For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.
34They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.
35As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.
36Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant.
37They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
38He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”
39Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”
40Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him,
43Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.
Questions
1. What was the reason for the parable Jesus gave about the judge?
v 1 He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,
2. Who was the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector for?
v 9 He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
3. What did Jesus tell his disciples after taking them aside?
v 31 to 33 He took the twelve aside, and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed. For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on. They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”
Summary Points
- v 1 to 8 Prayer should be a continuing part of our lives. We should not expect God to instantly solve our problems
- v 9 to 14 When we pray we should not tell God what we are proud of, but recognise that we are sinful. However, we humbly believe that God will forgive us
- v 15 to 30 We need the right attitude to following Jesus so that we may enter God's Kingdom
- v 31 to 34 Jesus again says he is going to Jerusalem where he will suffer and die, then rise again the third day. But the disciples don't understand
- v 35 to 43 Jesus heals a blind man who recognizes him as son of David
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