Luke 18

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

What does Luke 18:32 mean?

Explanation

Luke 18:32 is a part of the narrative where Jesus predicts his own suffering and death to His disciples.

In this verse, Jesus tells His disciples that He will be handed over to the Gentiles (non-Jews) who will mock Him, mistreat Him, and spit on Him.

The literal meaning of the verse is direct; it foretells the physical and emotional abuse that Jesus will endure at the hands of the Roman authorities.

On a deeper level, this foreshadows the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah's suffering and the extent of humiliation and torture that the Son of God is willing to subject Himself to for the sake of humanity's redemption.

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Historical Context

Luke's Gospel is believed to have been written somewhere between 80 and 110 AD.

The Gospel according to Luke presents Jesus as a compassionate savior who reaches out to the marginalized of society, including Gentiles, women, and the poor.

When Jesus speaks of being delivered to the Gentiles, He is speaking within the context of a society where the Jews were under Roman occupation.

At the time, Roman authorities were infamous for their brutal methods of maintaining control, including public mockery, flogging, and crucifixion.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, there are several insights one can derive from this verse.

In Christian theology, Jesus' foretelling of his suffering and death is seen as an indication of his divine nature and prophetic office.

Jesus exhibits omniscience - an attribute of divinity - by accurately predicting the events that would lead to His death.

Additionally, the fulfillment of these events is seen as the completion of a redemptive plan.

Theologically, His suffering serves to save mankind from sin, a central tenet of Christian soteriology (the study of salvation).

Practical Applications

To apply the teachings of this verse in daily life, Christians may see an example of enduring hardship with a sense of purpose.

Believers could be inspired to maintain faith in the face of ridicule or suffering, with an understanding that, like Jesus, they could be misunderstood or mistreated because of their beliefs or actions for a greater good.

Reflection on this verse may also urge followers to react with forgiveness and love towards those who may mistreat them.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:3 "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Matthew 20:19 "And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again."
Mark 10:34 "And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

"παραδίδομαι" (paradidomai) which means to be handed over or delivered up.
"ἔμπαιγμα" (empaigma) which translates to mockery.
"ὑβρίζω" (hybrizō) which means to be treated with insolence, reviled, or mistreated.
"ἐμπτύω" (emptuō) refers to spitting upon.

Each of these words emphasizes the suffering and humiliation that Jesus foretells.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This prediction of Jesus' fate is markedly different from other ancient myths where deities often undergo trials but typically emerge victorious without suffering or are revered and feared.

In contrast, in Christian narrative, the deity in Jesus willingly accepts humiliation and death. It stands apart from the myths of victorious, untouchable gods common in other ancient cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, the physical acts of mocking, mistreating, and spitting can be explored through the psychological lens of human behavior in relation to leaders and figures seen as outside the norm.

Research into crowd mentality, social hierarchy, and punishment can provide insight into the events Jesus predicts.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have provided various commentaries on this verse.

Some focus on the historical fulfillment of these predictions in the accounts of Jesus' trial and crucifixion in the Gospels. Others explore the Christological significance, how Jesus' knowledge of his fate informs our understanding of his divine nature.

Some examine the literary structure of the Passion predictions and how they serve to prepare the reader for the narrative climax of the crucifixion and resurrection.

Most agree that this verse is central to the Christian message of salvation through Christ’s sacrificial death.

Luke 18

Luke 18

What does Luke 18:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 18:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?