In discussing the moral of this parable, Luke emphasizes two key lessons that everyone should take to heart: to pray continually and not to give up. These two points reveal Jesus’ deep understanding of the human heart. He knew that people often turn away from God when their desires remain unfulfilled over a long period. Instead of waiting patiently, many shift their focus to other options—often seeking quicker, easier ways to get what they want.
In their relentless pursuit of blessings by any means, some end up aligning themselves with the devil, who offers the pleasures and riches of this world with minimal demands—just worship him. This appeal becomes tempting for those who seek only worldly gain because it requires no relationship, no righteousness, only surrender to desire. But for such people, worshipping the devil isn’t entirely new—they’ve already been worshiping the blessings rather than the One who provides them.
Always Pray & Do Not Give Up
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. – Luke 18:1 (NIV)
If we interpret the moral of this parable solely as a call to pray without ceasing or to never give up, we risk misunderstanding it through a worldly lens and missing the deeper message Jesus intended. When prayer is seen merely as presenting petitions to God, this parable might be misused to promote more intense petitioning—possibly through pledging, fasting, or other rituals that God never required. Worse still, such a misunderstanding could even encourage persistence in one’s pursuits without discernment between good and evil—motivating people to persist in wrong paths simply because they refuse to give up.
This parable was originally addressed to people who were sincerely curious about the timing of the coming of God’s Kingdom—a conversation that began in response to a thoughtful question from a Pharisee. However, when this parable is presented to those indifferent to the Kingdom’s arrival, it may only serve to entangle them further in worldly ways, reinforcing their current pursuits rather than turning their hearts toward God.
For those genuinely seeking the Kingdom of God, it is essential to understand that prayer is not just a list of personal requests. It is an ongoing, two-way relationship—a conversation with God about every aspect of life. This parable ultimately teaches us not to give up on God, even when He seems silent or absent, or when His answers do not match our expectations. It calls us to trust Him, even in the waiting, knowing that His justice and faithfulness are sure.
The Plight Of The Citizens
And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.” – Luke 18: 3-6 (NIV)
Worldly authorities often seek to preserve their status and avoid being disturbed by the very people for whose sake God has entrusted them with power—to uphold justice. However, unaware of God and His purpose, many of these leaders act unjustly toward the very people God desires to defend. In the parable, the widow ultimately receives justice—not because the judge considered whether she truly deserved it, but simply because he wanted to stop her from bothering him and wasting his time, which he preferred to use for his own selfish or even corrupt pursuits. The unjust seek comfort and long life to fulfill their evil desires. Tragically, people often still respect such authorities, knowingly or unknowingly, despite their cruel and unjust actions. They endure humiliation at their hands because their desire to gain what they seek outweighs their sense of dignity.
If we interpret this parable as endorsing such a worldview, we completely miss the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Doing so reflects a mindset that is conformed to the patterns of this world, rather than one transformed by the truth of God.
Plight Of The Believers
However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? – Luke 18:8b (NIV)
The primary purpose of this parable is to reveal Jesus’ deep concern for lost and perishing souls. Believers too perish by conforming to the patterns of this world; following Jesus often seems difficult and burdensome to them. Misled by their pursuit of temporary desires in this short life, they risk losing eternal life. Through this parable, Jesus expresses His burden for such people.
Traditionally, the unjust judge is viewed as a sharp contrast to God, who is perfectly just, while the persistent widow symbolizes the believer—particularly one facing hardship or oppression. More specifically, believers (likened to widows), when lacking the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit, often struggle under the weight of sin and the fear of being exposed. Burdened by guilt and the devil’s accusations, they cry out for justice or mercy—even in matters where they themselves are at fault—longing for relief and covering.
Their persistent prayers reveal a deep inner longing, and if this parable is understood as an encouragement to persistent prayer, it may risk being misapplied—as merely urging believers to seek relief or covering for their sins, rather than directing them to seek God Himself and ask for the strength to overcome sin and live in holiness..
The Moral Of The Parable
The parable is about what Jesus is expecting among the believers when He will come to judge the world. This parable is teaching us to walk in the light constantly and not to give up following Jesus at any cost.
Jesus did not emphasize the importance of the judge or the widow themselves, but rather highlighted the behavior and attitude of both characters. The judge is portrayed as someone who neither feared God nor cared about people, and the widow is shown as someone who, though lacking faith in God, placed more confidence in the unjust judge and in her own persistence. Jesus was certainly not comparing God to the unjust judge, who is indifferent and uncaring toward people. More over as the Judge did not fear God, our God does not have any one above Him that He should revere or fear. Also Jesus was not teaching that believers should keep pleading with God as though He were reluctant to respond and only acts when disturbed.
Our Heavenly Father is not like the wicked judge. He is so loving and caring that He offered His own Son as a sacrifice for our sins. God involved Himself deeply in our suffering—He was not indifferent. He left His place of comfort, grieved over the suffering and death of His Son, and acted for our salvation. Therefore, this parable is not a direct comparison between God and the unjust judge or between us and the widow. Instead, it contrasts their attitudes with the character of God and the faith we are called to have.
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” – Luke 18:7-8 (NIV)
Even when we were unaware of our eternal death due to sin and had not asked anything of God, He took the initiative. He sacrificed His Son for the redemption of humanity. Would such a God—who acts even before we ask—not do justice for His people? God, in His righteousness, provides for both the good and the wicked. Surely, He will do justice for us—even before we utter a word.
Finding Out God’s Desire
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.and find out what pleases the Lord. – Ephesians 5:8,10 (NIV)
The message of this parable is not about pressuring God through persistence, but about adopting a posture of unwavering trust. If we are willing to repeatedly appeal to unjust human authorities for justice, how much more should we confidently and continually place our trust in a loving and righteous God—even when He seems silent or distant. In moments when God appears unresponsive, we must remember the vast contrast between worldly rulers and our heavenly Father. While we may persist in seeking justice from those who do not fear God, our faith should be even more steadfast in believing that God is already at work on our behalf, often in ways we cannot yet perceive. He is surely accomplishing something far greater in our lives, which will be revealed in His perfect timing—perhaps fully in His second coming.
However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? – Luke 18:8 (NIV)
The same Jesus who once carried our sins and reconciled us to the Father now looks to find in us the Spirit of Sonship that He so graciously imparted. When He returns—not as a Savior, but as a Judge—He longs to meet His brothers and sisters even as He judges the world. Do we bear the Spirit of our brother Jesus, enabling us to call His Father our Father? Jesus eagerly desires to meet us as His own family.
The Jordan Valley 
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