Lectionary Calendar
Friday, July 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Read the Bible

New Century Version

Luke 18:4

For a while the judge refused to help her. But afterwards, he thought to himself, ‘Even though I don't respect God or care about people,

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Despondency;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Prayer;   Thompson Chain Reference - Ask;   Christ;   Church;   Family;   Heartlessness;   Importunity;   Prayer;   Secret Prayer;   United Prayer;   Unwise Prayers;   Wicked, the;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Parables;   Prayer;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Parable;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Luke, gospel of;   Prayer;   Widow;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christ, Christology;   Prayer;   Widow;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hearing the Word of God;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Proselytes;   Widow;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Luke, Gospel of;   Parables;   Prayer;   Vengeance;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Parable;   Prayer;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Circumstantiality in the Parables;   Discourse;   Fear ;   Justice (2);   Parousia (2);   Police;   Prayer (2);   Reverence;   Widow ;   Widows;   Winter ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Fear;   Gospels, the Synoptic;   Prayer;   Prayers of Jesus;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for April 26;   My Utmost for His Highest - Devotion for September 12;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“For a while he was unwilling, but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or respect people,
King James Version (1611)
And hee would not for a while. But afterward he said within himselfe, Though I feare not God, nor regard man,
King James Version
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
English Standard Version
For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,
New American Standard Bible
"For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person,
Amplified Bible
"For a time he would not; but later he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,
Legacy Standard Bible
And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,
Berean Standard Bible
For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God or respect men,
Contemporary English Version
For a while the judge refused to do anything. Finally, he said to himself, "Even though I don't fear God or care about people,
Complete Jewish Bible
For a long time he refused; but after awhile, he said to himself, ‘I don't fear God, and I don't respect other people;
Darby Translation
And he would not for a time; but afterwards he said within himself, If even I fear not God and respect not man,
Easy-to-Read Version
But the judge did not want to help the woman. After a long time, the judge thought to himself, ‘I don't care about God. And I don't care about what people think.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And hee would not of a long time: but afterward he said with himselfe, Though I feare not God, nor reuerence man,
George Lamsa Translation
And he would not for a long time; but afterwards he said within himself, Though I am not afraid of God, and have no regard for men;
Good News Translation
For a long time the judge refused to act, but at last he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or respect people,
Lexham English Bible
And he was not willing for a time, but after these things he said to himself, ‘Even if I do not fear God or respect people,
Literal Translation
And for a time he would not. But after these things he said to himself, Even if I do not fear God, and do not respect man,
American Standard Version
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Bible in Basic English
And for a time he would not: but later, he said to himself, Though I have no fear of God or respect for man,
Hebrew Names Version
He wouldn't for a while, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I don't fear God, nor respect man,
International Standard Version
For a while the judgehe
">[fn] refused. But later he said to himself, 'I don't fear God or respect people.
Etheridge Translation
And he was not willing long time; but afterward he said within himself, If of Aloha I am not afraid, and of men am not regardful,
Murdock Translation
And he would not, for a long time: but afterwards, he said to himself: Though I fear not God, and regard not men,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he woulde not for a whyle. But afterwarde he sayde within hym selfe: Though I feare not God, nor care for man,
English Revised Version
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
World English Bible
He wouldn't for a while, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I don't fear God, nor respect man,
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And he would not for a while, but afterwards he said in himself, Tho' I fear not God nor reverence man,
Weymouth's New Testament
"For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "`Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and he wolde not longe tyme. But aftir these thingis he seide with ynne hym silf, Thouy Y drede not God, and schame not of man,
Update Bible Version
And he would not for awhile: but after these things he said to himself, Though I don't fear God, nor regard man;
Webster's Bible Translation
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
New English Translation
For a while he refused, but later on he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor have regard for people,
New King James Version
And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, "Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
New Living Translation
The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don't fear God or care about people,
New Life Bible
For awhile he would not help her. Then he began to think, ‘I am not afraid of God and I do not respect any man.
New Revised Standard
For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And he was unwilling for a time; but, after these things, he said within himself - Although, neither God, I reverence, nor man, I respect,
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within himself: Although I fear not God nor regard man,
Revised Standard Version
For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And he wolde not for a whyle. But afterwarde he sayd vnto him selfe: though I feare not God nor care for man
Young's Literal Translation
and he would not for a time, but after these things he said in himself, Even if God I do not fear, and man do not regard,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And he wolde not a greate whyle. But afterwarde he thought within hi self: Though I feare not God, & stonde in awe of no man,
Mace New Testament (1729)
for some time he refus'd to do it: but at length he said in himself; tho' I neither fear God, nor regard man;
THE MESSAGE
"He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.'"
Simplified Cowboy Version
For a while, he brushed her off with a gruff rebuttal and sent her on her way, but this woman wouldn't give up.

Contextual Overview

1 Then Jesus used this story to teach his followers that they should always pray and never lose hope. 2 "In a certain town there was a judge who did not respect God or care about people. 3 In that same town there was a widow who kept coming to this judge, saying, ‘Give me my rights against my enemy.' 4 For a while the judge refused to help her. But afterwards, he thought to himself, ‘Even though I don't respect God or care about people, 5 I will see that she gets her rights. Otherwise she will continue to bother me until I am worn out.'" 6 The Lord said, "Listen to what the unfair judge said. 7 God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them. 8 I tell you, God will help his people quickly. But when the Son of Man comes again, will he find those on earth who believe in him?"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he said: Luke 12:17, Luke 16:3, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 4:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:18 - I fear God Exodus 18:21 - such as Judges 14:17 - she lay Psalms 73:9 - tongue Psalms 94:7 - they say Luke 7:39 - he spake Luke 12:18 - General Luke 18:2 - which Philippians 3:19 - whose glory

Cross-References

Genesis 18:5
and I will get some bread for you so you can regain your strength. Then you may continue your journey." The three men said, "That is fine. Do as you said."
Genesis 18:15
Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I didn't laugh." But the Lord said, "No. You did laugh."
Genesis 19:2
Lot said, "Sirs, please come to my house and spend the night. There you can wash your feet, and then tomorrow you may continue your journey." The angels answered, "No, we will spend the night in the city's public square."
Genesis 24:32
So Abraham's servant went into the house. After Laban unloaded the camels and gave them straw and food, he gave water to Abraham's servant so he and the men with him could wash their feet.
Genesis 43:24
The servant led the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet. Then he gave their donkeys food to eat.
1 Samuel 25:41
Abigail bowed facedown on the ground and said, "I am your servant. I'm ready to serve you and to wash the feet of my master's servants."
Luke 7:44
Then Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
1 Timothy 5:10
She must be known for her good works—works such as raising her children, welcoming strangers, washing the feet of God's people, helping those in trouble, and giving her life to do all kinds of good deeds.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he would not for a while,.... He would give no ear to her cries, nor take her cause in hand, nor right her wrongs, and clear her of her adversary:

but afterward he said within himself; as he was considering the matter in his own mind, and reflecting on this woman's case and the frequent application she had made to him:

though I fear not God, nor regard man; a monster in iniquity he was, to say so of himself; for though the character belongs to many, there are few that are so impudent in sin, as to take it to themselves, and glory in it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For a while - Probably this means for a “considerable” time. It was his duty to attend to the claims of justice, but this was long delayed.

Within himself - He thought, or came to a conclusion.

Though I fear not ... - This contains the reason why he attended to the case at all. It was not from any regard to justice, or to the duties of his office. It was simply to avoid “trouble.” And yet his conduct in this case might have appeared very upright, and possibly might have been strictly according to law and to justice. How many actions are performed that “appear well,” when the doers of those actions know that they are mere hypocrisy! and how many actions are performed from the basest and lowest motives of “selfishness,” that have the appearance of external propriety and even of goodness!

She weary me - The word used here, in the original, is that which was employed to denote the wounds and bruises caused by “boxers,” who beat each other, and blacken their eyes, and disable them. See the notes at 1 Corinthians 9:27. Hence, it means any vexatious and troublesome importunity that takes the time, and disables from other employment.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 18:4. He said within himself — How many actions which appear good have neither the love of God, nor that of our neighbour, but only self-love of the basest kind, for their principle and motive!


 
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