Luke 18:2

Luke 18:2, in plain English

Jesus describes a judge who doesn't fear God and doesn't care about people. He's the worst judge you could imagine — and that's exactly the point.

Why it's here

Jesus is setting up a contrast: if even this terrible judge eventually responds, how much more will a loving God answer the prayers of His people?

Who's speaking

Jesus paints a deliberately unflattering portrait to make the punchline even more powerful.

Where it sits in the story

The judge has no conscience and no compassion. He's the last person you'd want handling your case. But someone is about to change his mind.

The scholarly reading

Jesus introduces a judge characterized by two negatives: he 'neither feared God' (ton theon mē phoboumenos) 'nor respected men' (anthrōpon mē entrepomenos). This creates the worst possible arbiter — unmotivated by divine or social accountability.

Language and setting

The judge represents the opposite of the ideal OT judge (Deut 1:16-17, 2 Chr 19:6-7). His dual lack of reverence creates the narrative tension: if even this judge relents, how much more will God?

Voice

Jesus describes the judge as a character study in moral bankruptcy, setting up the a fortiori argument that follows.

Significance

Jesus introduces the worst possible judge: a man who doesn't fear God and doesn't care what people think. If prayer can move him, imagine what it can do with God.

1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

2“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men.

3And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’

4For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men,

Read all of Luke 18 — A stubborn widow, a humble tax collector, and a rich ruler who can't let go. Jesus shows that the kingdom belongs to those who won't give up and won't pretend.