The Parable of the Unjust Judge, is one of the parables of Jesus which appears in the Gospel of Luke. In it, a judge who lacks compassion is repeatedly approached by a poor widow, seeking justice. Initially rejecting her demands, he eventually honors her request so he will not be worn out by her persistence. One interpretation of this parable is that it demonstrates the importance of persistence in prayer, never giving up. It is found immediately prior to the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican and is similar to the Parable of the Friend at Night. Other scholars note that the content of the parable makes no reference to prayer and that the introduction of prayer as a theme is generally inspired by the Lucan construction in verses 6–8 and by the fact that Luke placed the parable of the Pharisee and Publican influentially after this one. Whatever approach is taken, it is noteworthy that the judge in the parable does not act on the basis of justice.
Narrative
Luke reports the parable as follows:
Interpretation
The framing material of the parable demonstrates the need to always pray like that persistent widow, for if even an unjust judge will eventually listen, God is much quicker to do so. The parable of the Friend at Night has a similar meaning. Joel B. Green sees in this parable an injunction not to lose heart, in the light of the eschatological tone of, and also an echo of Sirach 35: "For he is a God of justice, who knows no favorites.... The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right." William Barclay says that the point of the parable is less about persistent prayer, but rather the contrast between God and men in the phrase "how much more." In prayer one is speaking to a Father ready to give. Donald Parry and Jay A. Parry suggests that "this parable applies to each of us who has adversaries that are harmful to our spiritual life, whether the adversaries are other mortals, evil beings, or particular sins that continue to plague us. We, like the importunate widow, must pray always for help against these adversaries. As we do, our Heavenly Father will hear our prayers and bring us deliverance." As Christ suggested in this parable the deliverance that is sought for may not be offered until after "the Son of man cometh." Christ will avenge his elect, those in whom have kept the faith until his return at the second coming.
