Luke 18:2
What does Luke 18:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 18:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 18:2 means
Jesus describes a judge characterized by his lack of respect for both God and humanity. This judge serves as a stark contrast to God. He neither fears divine judgment nor cares about others' opinions or welfare. Such a figure in the parable highlights the desperate situation of those seeking justice from an indifferent authority, making his eventual action all the more significant. This portrayal sets the stage for understanding the power of persistence even in the face of an unfeeling system.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Saying, There was a judge in a certain town, who had no fear of God or respect for man:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862saying, `A certain judge was in a certain city--God he is not fearing, and man he is not regarding--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Saying: There was a judge in a certain city, who feared not God nor regarded man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890saying, There was a judge in a city, not fearingGod and not respecting man:
Context
This verse begins the narrative of the parable introduced in verse 1. It establishes one of the two main characters, the unrighteous judge, and immediately defines his morally corrupt character. This character description is essential for the parable's unfolding, as it provides the backdrop against which the widow's persistence and the judge's eventual decision will be understood.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Micah 3:1
And I said, Hear, I pray you, ye heads of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel: is it not for you to know justice?
- Ezekiel 22:6
Behold, the princes of Israel, every one according to his power, have been in thee to shed blood.
- Proverbs 29:7
The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know it.
- 2 Chronicles 19:3
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.
- Exodus 18:21
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
- Psalms 8:1
O Jehovah, our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth, Who hast set thy glory upon the heavens!
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