New Testament · Gospel

Luke 18:5

The Persistent Widow

yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Otherwise, she will wear me out with her perpetual requests.’” Luke 18:5 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Luke 18:5, in plain English

The judge finally caves: 'I'll give her what she wants so she'll stop bothering me!' He's not doing it out of goodness — he's doing it because she won't quit.

Why it's here

The beauty of this story is that the widow's only weapon was persistence — and it was more than enough.

Who's speaking

The judge surrenders, and his reason is almost comical: she's just too persistent to ignore.

Where it sits in the story

She didn't need power or money. She just needed to keep showing up. And eventually, even the worst judge in town gave her justice.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The judge relents because the widow 'keeps pestering me' (parechein moi kopon, literally 'causes me labor/trouble'). His fear that she will 'wear me out' (hypōpiazē me, a boxing term meaning 'give me a black eye') is likely metaphorical for public embarrassment.

Language and setting

The verb hypōpiazō (used by Paul in 1 Cor 9:27 for disciplining his body) suggests the judge fears reputational damage from the widow's persistent public appeals — she will essentially shame him into action.

Voice

The judge decides to act, motivated entirely by self-interest and the desire to end the widow's relentless appeals.

Significance

The judge finally gives in: 'I'll give her justice just to stop her from wearing me out with her constant coming!' Victory through persistence.

In context

Luke 18:3–7

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,

5yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Otherwise, she will wear me out with her perpetual requests.’”

6And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge.

7Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?

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.

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