Luke 18:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Do not say: I have sinned greatly and cannot approach God who holds anger against me. If a widow persisted before a judge who neither reverenced God nor felt shame before others, then your earnest cries can certainly win over the compassionate Judge. Thus, even if you are not a beloved child, even if you demand what is not justly yours, even if you have wasted and squandered your father’s legacy, and have long been away from his watchful eye, even if you approach God who is rightly displeased and filled with resentment towards you - if you only desire to return, you will receive everything and your anger and judgment will swiftly be alleviated.

The Lord imparts to us the importance of prayer, illustrating that even a judge, unjust and filled with corruption, may show compassion due to persistent appeals. How much more, then, will God, the sovereign of all justice, provide His protection in due time, even if He appears patient and does not respond to those who call upon Him continuously? This parable reminds us, as we have frequently noted, that we should not lose heart in our prayers. In another instance, it is stated, "Which of you, having a friend, will send him away if he comes and knocks at night? For if for no other reason, then because of his steadfastness he will open to him" (Luke 11:5, 8). Furthermore, "Is there any man among you who, when his son asks him for bread," etc.?(Matthew 7:9). Through all of this, the Lord encourages us to remain diligent in our prayers.

Let us grasp the identity of those who insult the saints, for exploring this matter is valuable for those who are well-versed in the faith. Numerous individuals from various groups target the holy ones. The sacred ministers and teachers, who accurately proclaim the truth, face opposition from all who oppose that truth—those lacking understanding of divine principles, estranged from righteousness, and wandering down twisted paths far from the upright and noble way. These individuals exemplify the unholy and tainted factions of heretics, aptly referred to as the gates of destruction, the snares of perdition, the traps of the adversary, and the mire of annihilation.

If persistent prayer has led to the transformation of these two significant wrongs into good results contrary to their essence, how much more will our pleas for God's mercy and truth be heeded? We should seek fruit that aligns with their true nature, allowing truth to safeguard us and mercy to provide us solace. It is just to reward those who endure suffering, as this reflects the essence of truth, and to offer comfort to the afflicted is a manifestation of mercy.

Will God not safeguard His chosen ones who call upon Him continually? He poses this question, compelling them to acknowledge the truth. Even if He appears hesitant to intervene, it is with purpose, allowing a brief period for their testing.

In this mention of challenging times, the Lord recognized the necessity of fortifying His disciples with the assurance that their suffering would be temporary. The Almighty will soon safeguard His elect, but they are called to persist in prayer. He shared a parable to illustrate how relentless appeals can compel even those lacking justice to fulfill the wishes of the supplicants.

The purpose of this parable was to instruct the disciples 'that they should always pray and not lose heart,' even amidst the significant tribulations that the Lord had warned would occur at the conclusion of both the Old and New Testament eras. If an unjust man, who neither reveres God nor feels shame before others, could ultimately grant the persistent plea of a widow, how much more will our compassionate and righteous God defend His beloved ones who call out to Him day and night during the trials that will arise before the return of the Son of Man? Even if the Lord sometimes appears slow to act, He tests the faith and reliance of His followers. The Lord assures His faithful servants that God will indeed provide protection swiftly.

The Parable of the Unjust Judge illustrates Jesus' teaching about the importance of persistent prayer and maintaining hope. In this story, a destitute widow approaches a judge who has no regard for God or concern for others, repeatedly pleading for justice against her adversary. Her appeals go unanswered for some time. Eventually, the judge, weary of her continual entreaties, decides to grant her request simply to stop her from troubling him.

The marginalized to whom He proclaimed the good news, the sightless to whom He restored vision, the infirm whom He cured, and the wayward whom He pursued and rescued—all of these gathered around their compassionate Shepherd and divine healer with heartfelt and jubilant appreciation. He provided hope and blessings to all who toil and carry heavy burdens. In the parable of the persistent widow, He illustrated the importance of faith and demonstrated that unwavering, earnest prayer is guaranteed to receive a response.

What does the unjust judge declare? God will not offer protection. It is evident that the Lord does not intend to equate God with a corrupt judge, illustrating that not every aspect of the parable carries a profound meaning, nor does each detail hold significant relevance to the spiritual themes depicted. The essence of the Lord's message here can be understood as follows: if an unjust judge eventually grants the request of a persistent widow, how much more will the righteous Judge, God, heed the prayers of His chosen ones and safeguard them in times of hardship. Indeed, He will provide them with defense promptly, unlike the unjust judge who delayed in granting protection to the widow.