Luke 18:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus teaches us to keep praying through the long stretches, and not to lose heart.
The Context of Luke 18:1
Luke tells us plainly why Jesus gave the next story, the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:2-8). It comes after teaching about the days to come, when waiting for God would test His followers' endurance.
What Does Luke 18:1 Mean?
Luke does something unusual here: he tells us the point of the parable before Jesus tells the parable. Jesus wants His followers to 'always' pray and 'not to faint'. That last word is honest about how prayer actually feels. There are seasons when answers are slow, when the same request goes up morning after morning and nothing seems to change, and the temptation is simply to give up. Jesus speaks to that exact weariness.
The reason we can keep praying is the kind of God we are praying to. The story that follows contrasts a cold, unwilling judge with the Father, and the lesson is that our God is nothing like the judge; He hears His own and is moved to act for them. Jesus Himself prayed through the night and in the garden, so He knows the cost of staying at it. He invites us to keep coming, sure that we are heard by One who loves us.
Luke 18:1 in the Original Language
ekkakeo (ἐκκακέω), 'faint' -- to grow weary and lose heart, to give up from exhaustion.
How to Apply Luke 18:1 Today
When prayers go long unanswered, the quiet temptation is to stop praying altogether. Jesus gently tells us to keep coming, because the Father is not slow or unwilling like the judge in the story. We can bring the same request again, trusting we are heard.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 18:1
What does Luke 18:1 mean?
Jesus teaches us to keep praying through the long stretches, and not to lose heart.
What is the context of Luke 18:1?
Luke tells us plainly why Jesus gave the next story, the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:2-8). It comes after teaching about the days to come, when waiting for God would test His followers' endurance.
How can I apply Luke 18:1 today?
When prayers go long unanswered, the quiet temptation is to stop praying altogether. Jesus gently tells us to keep coming, because the Father is not slow or unwilling like the judge in the story. We can bring the same request again, trusting we are heard.