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New Living Translation

Luke 18:4

The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don't fear 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,
New Century Version
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,
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 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 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 "There was a judge in a certain city," he said, "who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.' 4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don't fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'" 6 Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?"

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 since you've honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey." "All right," they said. "Do as you have said."
Genesis 18:15
Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, "I didn't laugh." But the Lord said, "No, you did laugh."
Genesis 19:2
"My lords," he said, "come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again." "Oh no," they replied. "We'll just spend the night out here in the city square."
Genesis 24:32
So the man went home with Laban, and Laban unloaded the camels, gave him straw for their bedding, fed them, and provided water for the man and the camel drivers to wash their feet.
Genesis 43:24
The manager then led the men into Joseph's palace. He gave them water to wash their feet and provided food for their donkeys.
1 Samuel 25:41
She bowed low to the ground and responded, "I, your servant, would be happy to marry David. I would even be willing to become a slave, washing the feet of his servants!"
Luke 7:44
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
1 Timothy 5:10
She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

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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