He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This judge's utter disregard for both God and humanity isn't just a description of a bad person; it highlights the extreme absence of any moral compass that would normally restrain someone in power. He’s not even swayed by human opinion or reputation, making his eventual, reluctant action solely about personal annoyance rather than any sense of justice.
He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is teaching his disciples the importance of persistent prayer, even when answers seem delayed. To illustrate this, he tells a story about a deeply corrupt and uncaring judge. This parable's power comes from contrasting the judge's callousness with God's justice, urging believers to keep crying out to God, who will ultimately hear and act.
Imagine a judge who doesn't fear God or care what people think. What kind of justice could you expect from them?
This judge embodies a complete lack of accountability.
No Fear of God:
This means he didn't consider divine judgment or moral law. His actions weren't guided by a higher standard than his own will.
No Regard for Man:
This indicates a disregard for human opinion, reputation, or rights. He was unconcerned with how his decisions affected others or what they thought of him. He was truly an outlier, as most people are motivated by either fear of God or fear of human judgment.
This parable starts with a judge who seems to have no motivation to help anyone. So why is he the key to understanding prayer?
Jesus uses this extreme example to highlight God's faithfulness.
The Contrast is Crucial:
By describing a judge motivated only by the desire to stop being bothered, Jesus sets up a powerful contrast. If this unjust judge, driven by annoyance, eventually acts, how much more will a perfectly just and loving God respond to His persistent people?
The Goal: Persistent Prayer:
This judge's indifference isn't the main point; the is. Jesus uses the judge's character to underscore the effectiveness of constant prayer. God isn't like this judge—He to help His elect. But He uses persistent prayer to strengthen our faith and prepare us for His perfect timing.
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Understand the original words
kritēs · Greek Noun
A person appointed to preside over legal cases and administer law; in a biblical context, it often refers to one with the authority to deliver a verdict or render judgment.
phobos · Greek Noun
A term denoting reverential awe, obedience, and submission to the character and sovereignty of the Almighty.
This parable was delivered during a time when Roman rule and local client kings influenced the justice system. The judge described was a stark representation of the corruption and lack of accountability that could exist, making the contrast with God's justice even more profound for Jesus' audience.
c. 7-4 BC
Herod the Great's Reign
The region of Judea, where Jesus was speaking, was ruled by Herod the Great, a client king of Rome. His reign was marked by political intrigue, heavy taxation, and a mixture of appointing local rulers and Roman governors.
c. 4 BC - AD 6
Division of Herod's Kingdom
After Herod the Great's death, his kingdom was divided among his sons. Galilee and Perea, where Jesus often ministered, were ruled by tetrarch Herod Antipas, who appointed local officials and judges.
AD 6
Direct Roman Rule in Judea
Judea, Samaria, and Idumea were placed under direct Roman administration with a prefect or procurator. This period saw increased Roman presence and authority, impacting the legal and judicial systems.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus preached and taught throughout Galilee, a region governed by Herod Antipas. This was the general time and place Jesus delivered the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Judean Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus' ministry continued in Judea, culminating in his arrest, trial, and crucifixion under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 66-73
First Jewish-Roman War
The widespread discontent and rebellion against Roman rule led to a devastating war, the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, and significant upheaval throughout Judea.
This passage sets the ideal standard for judges, emphasizing impartiality and the fear of God, directly contrasting with the judge in Luke's parable.
1 Samuel 2:23-24Eli's sons, like the judge in the parable, disregarded God and man, bringing dishonor to God and leading to judgment, highlighting the consequences of such a lack of character.
Psalm 82:1-4This psalm rebukes corrupt judges who pervert justice and show partiality, echoing the sentiment of Luke's parable and God's call for righteous judgment.
Proverbs 24:23-25This proverb speaks to the duty of judges to be just and impartial, and warns of the shame and condemnation that awaits those who pervert justice, aligning with the negative portrayal in Luke.
calvinLuke 18:1-8: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
- And he spake also a parable to them, that they ought always to pray, and not to grow weary: 2. Saying, There was a judge in a city, who neither feared God, nor regarded man. 3. And there was a widow in that city, who came to him, saying, Do me justice on my adversary. 4. And he refused for some time, [322] but afterwards said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man,…
gillLuke 18:2: "Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:"
Saying, there was in a city a judge,.... In every city in the land of Israel, there was a sanhedrim, or court of judicature; in Jerusalem was the great sanhedrim, consisting of seventy one; and in every city where there were an hundred and twenty men, or more, there was a lesser sanhedrim, consisting of twenty three; and in a city in which there were not an hundred and twenty men, were three judges; fo…
This judge's utter disregard for both God and humanity isn't just a description of a bad person; it highlights the extreme absence of any moral compass that would normally restrain someone in power. He’s not even swayed by human opinion or reputation, making his eventual, reluctant action solely about personal annoyance rather than any sense of justice.
Jesus is teaching his disciples the importance of persistent prayer, even when answers seem delayed. To illustrate this, he tells a story about a deeply corrupt and uncaring judge. This parable's power comes from contrasting the judge's callousness with God's justice, urging believers to keep crying out to God, who will ultimately hear and act.
Jesus is teaching his disciples the importance of persistent prayer, even when answers seem delayed. To illustrate this, he tells a story about a deeply corrupt and uncaring judge. This parable's power comes from contrasting the judge's callousness with God's justice, urging believers to keep crying out to God, who will ultimately hear and act.
"He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man." — This judge's utter disregard for both God and humanity isn't just a description of a bad person; it highlights the extreme absence of any moral compass that would normally restrain someone in power.…
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Last reviewed October 2026