The Widow and the Judge

 

The Widow and the Judge (Luke 18:1-8)

(In no other Gospel)

1. Cultural, political and theological background

   1. Cultural and Political

      1. Please refer to previous lessons

      2. Widows were the most vulnerable in society

      3. Culturally it was, and still is, a shame/pride culture in which behavior is guided by a shared community sense of shame and honor more than individual loyalty to an abstract principle of right and wrong, just or unjust.

      4. Women did not do legal things but were represented by a male (unless none existed)

      5. At that time, other than the roman overseers, Judges were all powerful

2. Overview

   1. Luke was written between 63 and 68 AD... almost a full “generation” after Christ's time here.

      1. The apostles, disciples and followers expected Jesus to return very soon after his ascension

      2. Many Christians had already died while still waiting for Christ's return

      3. Doubt, questioning and insecurity had already set in by the time of Luke's writing

   2. Luke's primary target audience were the Christians of his time who were starting to lose hope and whose faith was perhaps beginning to evaporate (everyone needs a bit of confirmation)

   3. This parable comes directly after Jesus' description of the coming of the Kingdom of God and should be seen as an addendum to that: keep your hope alive for the coming Kingdom of God

   4. Immediately following this parable is the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. - the male/female paring of stories/parables/encounters

      1. In both there is vindication/justice

      2. In one, a saint (widow) is vindicated. In the other, a sinner

      3. both saint and sinner are compared to an antithesis

   5. There is a common core to both the parables: vindication and/or justification

   6. The opening sentence frames the parable and should lead the reader to the intended meaning

3. The parable

   1. 18:1 - … should always pray and not give up. Luke tells us what this parable's is about

      1. implies persistence, which is how many see this parable

      2. Taken in context, directly after the disciples asked Him, “Where, Lord,' it is problably more appropriate to see this as a message to stay the course and not give up hope.

   2. 18:2 – The Judge: may not be corrupt, but certainly uncaring

      1. Did not fear God... remember, that was a shame/pride culture and identity was established through community-shared values. No sense of right or wrong and he probably was a good Jew.

      2. Did not care about men. He was as powerful as a Jew could become, and most likely rich

      3. Obviously, you could not appeal to him “for the sake of God”, nor “for my sake”

   3. 18:3 – the Widow: most helpless and vulnerable person possible (non-outcast?)

      1. Women were represented in court by a male relative; therefore, she was without family

      2. She returned time-after-time (number not given) but did not lose hope for her cause

      3. Yes, she was persistent, but this does not mean that we will get what we want if we pester God enough with our desires. It means: do not give up.

      4. Another, translation says, “Vindicate me from my adversary” - perhaps a more meaningful translation

   4. 18:4 Judge – acknowledges his own lack of care about both God and man

   5. 18:5 Judge gives in to her need for judgment (or vindication

      1. It is tempting to see the Judge as representing God, but he is not. God does not share his lack of care or love for others. The point is that if such an awful man will vindicate (judge), than we know that God, who does love us, will vindicate/justify us.

      2. The widow keeps bothering him. This is not the main theme of the parable, nor is it the reason the Judge finally does his job

      3. Another translation problem. Although many translation use “wear me out” for a key Greek word in the parable, another, perhaps more telling translation is “strike me in the face” - or slap? In that culture such an act would be a humiliation. The Judge would have been shamed into acting. Bringing shame is still a big thing in the Middle East and sometimes results in “Honor Killing”

      4. It is very possible that the Judge finally vindicated her to avoid public shame for not.

   6. 18:6 – Just as Luke gave an introductory guide to understanding, now Jesus provided even more insight, drawing attention to what the Judge says in 18:5 – the key focal point

   7. 18:7 – Jesus' explanation

      1. Implied comparison is not that the Judge represents God, but that God is not the uncaring, callous Judge. He will provide justice (vindication)

      2. Justice to His “chosen ones” who persist (do not give up... not the same as nagging). HOPE

      3. Again, a difference in translations. “Will he keep putting them off?” is rhetorical. Some translations, “He will not keep putting them off.” A declarative statement.

      4. Another translation for the Greek word translated as “putting them off” is “Push anger far away” which can also mean “patience”

   8. 18:8 – Is Jesus revealing that he understands the reality that some will give up hope?

   9. Additional key notes or observations

      1. the hero of the story is a woman(!) Presented as a model to emulate in regard to confidence

      2. Persevere in heartfelt, fervent prayer and God will come with joy and grant them vindication

      3. Persistence is important, but if God responds with an alternative answer, we mus say: “Thy will be done” and accept the new situation

      4. Unlike the woman, the believer faces a loving Father not a capricious Judge

      5. God will vindicate/justify both saints (the widow) and sinners (tax collector)

      6. Ultimate vindication/justification is assured in spite of our failures because of Christ.

      7. The closing line warns us to be diligent and not let faith evaporate from the World.

   10. Additional notations

       1. Luke assumes the reader understands:

          1. The reader knows and accepts John the Baptist's teaching that leadershi9p obligates you to work justly, especially on behalf of the poor and weak.

          2. The reader would know that the parable is to encourage Christians to persevere in their faith against all odds

       2. Even in corruption, God's will will be done (John 19:11; Romans 13:1; Peter 2:13)

       3. We must never give up hope, even in an evil and corrupt world (Only God can bring about justice in an evil and corrupt world)

       4. The parable offers hope to those among us who are reluctant to address God with our petitions

       5. Again, looking at what came before (coming of the Kingdom of God) and after (the Pharisee and the tax collector) this is a message of hope.

          1. Hope for the vindication of and justice for the believers

          2. Vindication for both saints (widow) and sinners (tax collector)

          3. encouragement to keep our faith and not let it fade or evaporate

4. Next: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Young Women (Matthew 25:1-13)