The Persistent Widow

Jesus told this parable to teach his listeners that they should always pray and not give up. He used a story about justice and faith to make that point.

In the story, there was a judge in a certain city who did not fear God and did not respect people. In that same city was a widow. She kept coming to him and saying that he should give her justice against her adversary.

For a while, the judge refused. Later he admitted to himself that he did not fear God or respect people. Even so, the widow kept pressing her case by coming again and again.

At last the judge decided to act. He would give her justice, not because he had become righteous, but because her continual coming kept bothering him and he did not want her to wear him out. Then Jesus told his listeners to notice what this unrighteous judge said.

Then Jesus explained the parable. If even an unjust judge finally responds, God will surely bring justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night. He asks whether the Son of Man, when he comes, will find faith on the earth.