Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 18:1

"And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;" — Luke 18:1 (ASV)

This parable must be interpreted with reference to the theme of the return of our Lord in chapter 17, as v.8b makes clear. The story is not intended to apply to prayer in general, as though one needed to pester God for every need until he reluctantly responds (cf. 11:5–10). The theme is that of the vindication of God’s misunderstood and suffering people. God’s people in OT days needed to “wait” on God as he worked out justice with apparent slowness . In the final days the martyrs wait for vindication (Revelation 6:9–11). Meanwhile we wrestle with the problem of evil and with issues of theodicy. Under these circumstances we should “always pray and not give up.”