And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This widow isn't just asking for revenge; the original language points to a plea for justice and vindication from her oppressor. Her persistent coming isn't just about annoyance, but about the constant, grinding reality of injustice she faces.
And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus tells a parable about a corrupt judge and a persistent widow to teach his disciples that they should always pray and not give up. This widow, a symbol of helplessness and vulnerability, repeatedly seeks justice from a judge who fears neither God nor man, because her adversary is oppressing her. The story highlights the judge's reluctance and eventual yielding, not out of justice, but weariness, setting up the contrast for God's response to His chosen people.
The word 'avenge' sounds harsh, doesn't it? But this widow wasn't asking for revenge. She was asking for something far more fundamental.
The original language here, 'ekdikeson,' doesn't quite carry the fiery, retaliatory meaning of 'avenge' as we might first think. Instead, it leans towards 'doing justice,' 'vindication,' or 'righting a wrong.' This widow, a figure of helplessness in ancient society, wasn't seeking to inflict harm for harm's sake. She was demanding that her adversary's unjust actions against her be officially recognized and corrected by the legal system. Her plea was for the restoration of what was rightfully hers, delivered from oppression. In a world where widows were often vulnerable and easily exploited, this plea for justice was a desperate cry for basic human rights and protection.
This widow didn't just ask once. She showed up. Again and again. What can we learn from her relentless approach?
The parable highlights the widow's persistence. The original language suggests she 'kept coming' or repeatedly petitioned the judge. In a society where a widow was often powerless, her repeated visits were a bold, even confrontational, act. She refused to be ignored or dismissed. This wasn't about being annoying; it was about refusing to let injustice stand. Her persistence ultimately wore down the unjust judge, not because he suddenly developed a conscience, but because her constant appeals disrupted his peace and forced him to act simply to be rid of her. This is the model Jesus uses for prayer: unwavering, insistent, and refusal to give up, even when facing seemingly indifferent or unjust circumstances.
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Understand the original words
chēra · Greek Noun
A woman whose husband has died; in Scripture, widows are frequently presented as a vulnerable class under God’s special protection, often representing those who have no earthly defense.
ekdikēsis · Greek Noun
The standard of moral and legal righteousness; it refers to the vindication of the oppressed or the restoration of what is right according to God’s law.
antidikos · Greek Noun
An opponent or legal plaintiff; in spiritual terms, it can denote anyone or anything that stands against the believer’s vindication or righteousness.
The parable of the persistent widow draws on a long history of concern for the vulnerable and condemnation of injustice in ancient Israel and its surrounding cultures. This widow's plea for 'justice' (not mere revenge) against her 'adversary' reflects a real social and legal struggle faced by many defenseless women.
c. 8th century BC
Prophetic Denunciations of Oppression
Prophets like Isaiah condemned the powerful who ignored the cries of the vulnerable, including widows, and denied justice in the courts.
c. 5th century BC
Legal Protections for Widows
The Law of Moses and later legal traditions mandated special care and protection for widows, who were often vulnerable and lacked legal standing.
c. 1st century AD
Widows' Houses Devoured
Jesus condemned religious leaders who exploited widows, devouring their property under the guise of piety, highlighting ongoing societal injustice.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Teaches the Parable
Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge to encourage his followers to pray constantly and not give up, even when facing injustice.
c. AD 60-64
Paul Encourages Perseverance
Apostolic writings, like those of Paul, echo Jesus' teaching by urging believers to persevere in prayer and faith through trials.
This verse directly speaks to the vulnerability of widows and explicitly commands against oppressing them, highlighting the injustice the widow in Luke's parable faced.
Isaiah 1:23This passage condemns leaders who fail to defend the weak, specifically mentioning that 'the cause of the widow does not come unto them,' mirroring the unjust judge's neglect in Luke's parable.
1 Peter 5:8This verse describes the devil as an 'adversary' who prowls around seeking to devour, creating a conceptual link between the widow's earthly adversary and the spiritual battles believers face.
Matthew 23:14Jesus accuses religious leaders of devouring widows' houses, showing that the mistreatment of widows was a recognized and serious issue, making the widow's plea for justice deeply poignant.
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,…
vincentLuke 18:3: "And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary."
Avenge (ἐκδικησον)The word is too strong. It means do me justice. See on Romans 12:19.
This widow isn't just asking for revenge; the original language points to a plea for justice and vindication from her oppressor. Her persistent coming isn't just about annoyance, but about the constant, grinding reality of injustice she faces.
Jesus tells a parable about a corrupt judge and a persistent widow to teach his disciples that they should always pray and not give up. This widow, a symbol of helplessness and vulnerability, repeatedly seeks justice from a judge who fears neither God nor man, because her adversary is oppressing her. The story highlights the judge's reluctance and eventual yielding, not out of justice, but weariness, setting up the contrast for God's response to His chosen people.
Jesus tells a parable about a corrupt judge and a persistent widow to teach his disciples that they should always pray and not give up. This widow, a symbol of helplessness and vulnerability, repeatedly seeks justice from a judge who fears neither God nor man, because her adversary is oppressing her. The story highlights the judge's reluctance and eventual yielding, not out of justice, but weariness, setting up the contrast for God's response to His chosen people.
"And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’" — This widow isn't just asking for revenge; the original language points to a plea for justice and vindication from her oppressor. Her persistent coming isn't just about annoyance, but about the co…
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Last reviewed October 2026