Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 18:3

"and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary." — Luke 18:3 (ASV)

There was a widow in that city.—The neglect of the widow's cause had always been noted by the Lawgiver and Prophet—and it was one of the notes of a high ethical standard in both—as the extremest form of oppressive tyranny (Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 27:19; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 1:23; Ezekiel 22:7). Compare also the speech of the widow of Tekoah (2 Samuel 14:2; 2 Samuel 14:5).

She came to him.—The tense implies continual coming.

Avenge me of mine adversary.—The term is used in its legal sense. She was plaintiff, and he defendant, or, it may be, vice versâ. The judge put off his decision, and the “law’s delay” was worse to her than the original wrong had been.