Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 18:5

"yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming." — Luke 18:5 (ASV)

The words “wear me out” (lit., “to give a black eye to”) probably relate to the common idiom in eastern countries, where to have one’s face blackened means to suffer shame. In this parable the reputation of the one being petitioned is at stake. Therefore, though God is not compared to a crooked judge, there is a partial basis of comparison in that God will also guard his reputation and vindicate himself.