(Luke 18:1 NASB) Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
Luke 18:1: Yeshua just told them in the previous chapter about His return in judgement and that things will be very difficult. He says they are to pray and not lose heart. He tells them this parable concerning their heavenly Father and His provisions for them.
(Luke 18:2 NASB) saying, “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, and did not respect man.
(Luke 18:3 NASB) “And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’
(Luke 18:4 NASB) “And for a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,
(Luke 18:5 NASB) yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by continually coming she wear me out.'”
Luke 18:5: In this parable, there is judge who does not fear Elohim and does not respect man. And there is also a widow who needs protection from someone who wishes her harm. She goes to the judge for legal protection. She bugs him so much that he gives her what she wants because she is bothering him so much.
(Luke 18:6 NASB) And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;
(Luke 18:7 NASB) now shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?
Luke 18:7: If even an unrighteous judge will do what is right for a widow who keeps asking, how much more will Elohim bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night?
(Luke 18:8 NASB) “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:8: Elohim will bring justice for His elect, those who act in righteousness (Psalm 143:7-12). When Yeshua returns, He will bring justice for His elect.
Then Yeshua asks if He will find faithfulness on the earth at his return. The wording implies a negative.
(Luke 18:9 NASB) And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
Luke 18:9: Yeshua is going to tell them a parable because some in attendance trusted in themselves that they were righteous. And they despised others.
(Luke 18:10 NASB) “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer.
(Luke 18:11 NASB) “The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer.
Luke 18:11: Yeshua is telling them that their prayers will not be heard when they have sin in their lives. They must repent of their sins, love one another, and then their prayers and offerings will be accepted, received, and answered (Isa. 1:10-20).
(Luke 18:12 NASB) ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
Luke 18:12: Fasting twice a week is not called for in Torah. The Pharisees manufactured their own forms of righteousness. When we seek our own form of righteousness, we do not subject ourselves to the righteousness of Elohim (Romans 10:1-4).
(Luke 18:13 NASB) “But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
(Luke 18:14 NASB) “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted.”
Luke 18:14: The tax gatherer humbled himself and he was justified before Elohim. This is a sound principle rooted in the Tanakh (Psalm 138:6, Prov. 15:33, 16:18-19, 18:12-13, 29:23, Hab. 2:4).
(Luke 18:15 NASB) And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.
(Luke 18:16 NASB) But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Luke 18:16: Yeshua said to bring the children to Him because the kingdom of Elohim belongs to such as these. Why is that? Because our children are to be taught Torah (Deut. 6:6-7, 31:11-13).
(Luke 18:17 NASB) “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.”
Luke 18:17: Yeshua says that we are to have the humility of a child and accept His Torah (Psalm 131, 1 Peter 1:14-16).
(Luke 18:18 NASB) And a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
(Luke 18:19 NASB) And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
Luke 18:19: Yeshua’s response is superb. He is asserting His Deity as being a manifestation of Elohim. His response is saying that only Elohim is good. So either Yeshua, by His response, is either not good, or He is a manifestation of the Father. The fact that mankind is not “good” is a fact of Scripture (Psalm 14:3, 53:1-3).
(Luke 18:20 NASB) “You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BARE FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'”
Luke 18:20: Yeshua said that the way to eternal life is keeping the commandments. Some think this means the Ten Commandments, but they are wrong. In Mark’s version of this account, Yeshua included a part that is not in the Ten (Mark 10:18-19).
Yeshua tells us that if we obey the commandments, we will have eternal life (Matt. 19:16-17).
(Luke 18:21 NASB) And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
(Luke 18:22 NASB) And when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Luke 18:22: Yeshua was speaking to the multitudes and the children. Most of the multitudes were very poor. This rich man was given an opportunity to become a disciple of Yeshua. But in order to do that, he had to follow Torah which says we are to provide for our brothers who are in need (Deut. 15:1-11).
This begs the question, “If we are to provide for our brother in need, who is our brother?” This question was asked of Yeshua and He answered with the parable of the Good Samaritan. in that parable, we see that the one who followed Torah was truly the brother, or neighbor, of the men. Yeshua tells us that our brother is one who follows Torah in other instances also (Matt. 12:47-50, 7:20-23, Luke 8:21, 11:27-28).
Torah says we are to provide for our brothers and sisters in need. The poor multitudes were there in front of him and he has the chance to be obedient and help them. But he chooses otherwise.
This may sound like a huge task that Yeshua is asking this young man. But it is not. In the days of Nehemiah, he told the rich people to do the same thing (Neh. 5:1-5). In that day, the people were helplessly being held in bondage by the few who had money to pay the kings taxes and lend to others.
This brings to mind the account of the rich young ruler that came up to Yeshua. He was in the position of the rich mentioned here in the days of Nehemiah. But he had no desire to help his poor brothers in need that had surrounded Yeshua and listening to his request. In Matthews account of this incident, we are informed how the young man was rich (Matt. 19:16-22).
Notice that the young man had “much property.” How does a young man like that achieve a lot of property? It would appear that he was doing something similar to what was happening to the poor in the day of Nehemiah. That is why Yeshua pointed out his uncaring attitude toward his brothers.
(Luke 18:23 NASB) But when he had heard these things, he became very sad; for he was extremely rich.
(Luke 18:24 NASB) And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!
(Luke 18:25 NASB) “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:25: It is interesting that Yeshua told the man to obey Torah and follow Him and he would then enter the kingdom of heaven. That part of the answer is often forgotten in modern Christian interpretations.
This is a commonly quoted passage, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” The essence being that no prideful, rich man can enter the kingdom of heaven because a camel cannot pass through the eye of a needle. That is but one of the false assessments of this verse.
The first false interpretation of this verse if the one gate in Jerusalem was designed to keep camels out. That gate was very low and shaped in a way that a camel had to get down on his knees and enter it. That gate was called “The Eye of the Needle.” There was not such stupid gate with such a stupid name. That is more Christian myth made up and given to Christian audiences who thought it very clever. But there is absolutely no evidence to back it up.
This is a strong evidence (among others) that proves that Matthew (at least) was originally written in Aramaic. The Aramaic word for “camel” is “gamla.” This is the same Aramaic word used for “thick rope.” The word has a double meaning. The “thick rope” spoken of by “gamla” was a sturdy rope made of camel hair. The rope was just referenced using the same term as “camel.”
Paul Younan states, “I’ve found a quote given by a 10th-century Aramaic lexicographer whose name was Bar-Bahlul. He produced an Aramaic dictionary and in it is the following comment for “Gamla”:
“Gamla is a thick rope which is used to bind ships”
Considering that Jesus was speaking to fishermen, this meaning of Gamla seems more appropriate, and I think is a fantastic proof that the Greek was translated from an Aramaic [original.]”
The ones who translated the Aramaic original manuscripts into Greek were not aware of this fact. There are other evidences that Matthew and other Gospels were originally written in Hebrew or Aramaic (a derivative of the Hebrew language).
(Luke 18:26 NASB) And they who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”
(Luke 18:27 NASB) But He said, “The things impossible with men are possible with God.”
Luke 18:27: The fact is that no man can save himself. He cannot call upon Elohim for salvation unless Elohim chooses him. It is impossible for a man to save himself.
(Luke 18:28 NASB) And Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes, and followed You.”
(Luke 18:29 NASB) And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
(Luke 18:30 NASB) who shall not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.”
Luke 18:30: In Matthew’s account, Yeshua goes into more detail and tells them that they will judge Israel (Matthew 19:27-30).
(Luke 18:31 NASB) And He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished.
(Luke 18:32 NASB) “For He will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon,
(Luke 18:33 NASB) and after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will rise again.”
Luke 18:33: There are many prophetic writings that speak of Messiah having to endure torture and death (Ps 22:1-31 69:1-36 Isa 53:1-12 Da 9:26 Zec 13:7 – not shown).
(Luke 18:34 NASB) And they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.
Luke 18:34: The disciples did not understand this when Yeshua told them previously either (Luke 9:44-45).
(Luke 18:35 NASB) And it came about that as He was approaching Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road, begging.
(Luke 18:36 NASB) Now hearing a multitude going by, he began to inquire what this might be.
(Luke 18:37 NASB) And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.
(Luke 18:38 NASB) And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Luke 18:38: A blind man was sitting by the road. His only way of getting money was begging for it in order to survive. He was told that Yeshua of Nazereth was approaching. This man’s choice of words is very interesting. He called Yeshua “Son of David.” This is a Messianic title (Jer. 23:5 and others). This was a blind man who could truly see the identity of Messiah.
(Luke 18:39 NASB) And those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
(Luke 18:40 NASB) And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he had come near, He questioned him,
(Luke 18:41 NASB) “What do you want Me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!”
(Luke 18:42 NASB) And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”
Luke 18:42: To whom much is given, much will be required. This man was not given much. This man could not do much in the way of faithfulness. He could not see to eat properly, to do the proper sacrifices, or to help others. But what He could do is proclaim Messiah and the coming kingdom. He knew that if Yeshua was truly Messiah and the Kingdom was here, he could get his sight back (Isa. 29:18-19). His faithfulness in using what he had was great.
(Luke 18:43 NASB) And immediately he regained his sight, and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God.
Luke 18:43: Due to his seeing Messiah, he regained his sight and Elohim was glorified.
Yeshua just told them in the previous chapter about His return in judgement and that things will be very difficult. He says they are to pray and not lose heart. He tells them this parable concerning their heavenly Father and His provisions for them.
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas