In this chapter we have, I. The parable of the importunate widow, designed to teach us fervency in prayer, Luke 18:1–8. II. The parable of the Pharisee and publican, designed to teach us humility, and humiliation for sin, in prayer, Luke 18:9–14. III.

This parable has its key hanging at the door; the drift and design of it are prefixed. Christ spoke it with this intent, to teach us that men ought always to pray and not to faint, Luke 18:1.

The scope of this parable likewise is prefixed to it, and we are told who they were whom it was levelled at, and for whom it was calculated. He designed it for the conviction of some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. They were such as had, 1.

This passage of story we had both in Matthew and Mark; it very fitly follows here after the story of the publican, as a confirmation of the truth which was to be illustrated by that parable, that those shall be accepted with God, and honoured, who humble themselves, and for them Christ has…

In these verses we have, I. Christ’s discourse with a ruler, that had a good mind to be directed by him in the way to heaven. In which we may observe, 1.

Here is, I. The notice Christ gave to his disciples of his sufferings and death approaching, and of the glorious issue of them, which he himself had a perfect sight and foreknowledge of, and thought it necessary to give them warning of, that it might be the less surprise and terror to them.

Christ came not only to bring light to a dark world, and so to set before us the objects we are to have in view, but also to give sight to blind souls, and by healing the organ to enable them to view those objects.