Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 18:2

"saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man:" — Luke 18:2 (ASV)

There was in a city a judge.—These words have historical interest, as they testify to the general disorganization and corruption of justice that prevailed under the government of Galilee and Perea at that time. Under the direct administration of the Roman Procurator, severe as his rule was, there was probably a better state of things.

The case presented for the purpose of the parable was obviously an extreme one. Every motive that ordinarily leads men in office to act rightly was absent. Conscience was dead, and there was no love of approval or fear of blame to take its place.