Luke 18:6
New International Version
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.

New Living Translation
Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge.

English Standard Version
And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

Berean Standard Bible
And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge.

Berean Literal Bible
And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

King James Bible
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

New King James Version
Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.

New American Standard Bible
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge said;

NASB 1995
And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;

NASB 1977
And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;

Legacy Standard Bible
And the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.

Amplified Bible
Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says!

Christian Standard Bible
Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.

American Standard Version
And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith.

Contemporary English Version
The Lord said: Think about what that crooked judge said.

English Revised Version
And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Lord added, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge thought.

Good News Translation
And the Lord continued, "Listen to what that corrupt judge said.

International Standard Version
Then the Lord added, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.

Majority Standard Bible
And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge.

NET Bible
And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge says!

New Heart English Bible
The Lord said, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

Weymouth New Testament
And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.

World English Bible
The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the LORD said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says:

Berean Literal Bible
And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.

Young's Literal Translation
And the Lord said, 'Hear ye what the unrighteous judge saith:

Smith's Literal Translation
And the Lord said, Hear ye what the judge of injustice says.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge saith.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the Lord said: “Listen to what the unjust judge said.

New American Bible
The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.

New Revised Standard Version
And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then our Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge said.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And our Lord said, “Hear what the evil judge said.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the Lord said: Hear what the unjust judge says;

Godbey New Testament
But the Lord said, I fear what the unjust judge says.

Haweis New Testament
Then said the Lord, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

Mace New Testament
observe, said Jesus, that language of this unrighteous judge.

Weymouth New Testament
And the Lord said, "Hear those words of the unjust judge.

Worrell New Testament
And the Lord said, "Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says.

Worsley New Testament
And the Lord said, hear what even the unjust judge saith:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Persistent Widow
5yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’ ” 6And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. 7Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?…

Cross References
Luke 11:5-8
Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you goes to his friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, / because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ / And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Do not bother me. My door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ ...

Matthew 7:7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. / Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ...

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Isaiah 62:6-7
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, / nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.

Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Jeremiah 29:12-13
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Isaiah 30:18-19
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him. / O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.


Treasury of Scripture

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

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Ear Evil Hear Judge Unjust Unrighteous Words
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Ear Evil Hear Judge Unjust Unrighteous Words
Luke 18
1. Of the importunate widow.
9. Of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
15. Of Children brought to Jesus.
18. A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches.
28. The reward of those who leave all for his sake.
31. He foretells his death;
35. and restores a blind man to sight.














And the Lord said
This phrase introduces the authoritative voice of Jesus, who is often referred to as "the Lord" in the New Testament. The Greek word for "Lord" is "Kyrios," which denotes authority and divinity. In the context of Luke 18, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, imparting wisdom and teaching them about the nature of God’s justice and mercy. The use of "the Lord" emphasizes His role as the ultimate teacher and judge, whose words carry divine weight and truth.

Listen to what
The command to "listen" is a call to pay attention and heed the message being delivered. In Greek, the word "akouo" is used, which means to hear or to understand. This is not merely a passive hearing but an active engagement with the message. Jesus is urging His audience to not only hear His words but to internalize and comprehend the deeper spiritual truths He is about to reveal.

the unjust judge
The "unjust judge" is a central figure in the parable preceding this verse. The Greek word for "unjust" is "adikia," which means unrighteous or wicked. This judge is characterized by his lack of fear of God and disregard for people, representing the antithesis of divine justice. Historically, judges were expected to uphold justice and righteousness, but this judge fails in his duty, highlighting the contrast between human and divine justice.

says
The word "says" here is translated from the Greek "lego," which means to speak or to declare. In the context of the parable, the unjust judge eventually grants justice to the persistent widow, not out of righteousness, but to avoid being bothered. This serves as a rhetorical device to illustrate a greater truth: if even an unjust judge can be moved to act, how much more will a just and loving God respond to the persistent prayers of His people? This encourages believers to trust in God’s perfect justice and timing.

(6) The unjust judge.--Literally, the judge of injustice, as with the unjust steward in Luke 16:8, the usual adjective giving way to the stronger, more Hebraic idiom of the characterising genitive.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord
Κύριος (Kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

said,
Εἶπεν (Eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Listen to
Ἀκούσατε (Akousate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

[the] words
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

of the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

unjust
ἀδικίας (adikias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 93: Injustice, unrighteousness, hurt. From adikos; injustice; morally, wrongfulness.

judge.
κριτὴς (kritēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2923: A judge, magistrate, ruler. From krino; a judge.


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NT Gospels: Luke 18:6 The Lord said Listen to what (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 18:5
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