Luke 18: Expository Preaching and Study Guide for Church Leaders

Overview

Luke 18 presents a series of teachings by Jesus that emphasize persistent faith, humility, the nature of the Kingdom of God, the cost of discipleship, and the necessity of total dependence on God for salvation. The chapter includes:

The parable of the persistent widow (vv. 1-8)
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (vv. 9-14)
Jesus blessing the little children (vv. 15-17)
The rich ruler’s question about eternal life (vv. 18-30)
Jesus‘ third prediction of His death and resurrection (vv. 31-34)
The healing of the blind beggar near Jericho (vv. 35-43)

These narratives illustrate Jesus’ concern for justice, His rejection of self-righteousness, His call to childlike faith, and His power to save. Theologically, the chapter upholds the doctrines of justification by faith, the sovereign grace of God, and the exclusivity of salvation through Christ.

Historical and Literary Context

Historical Context:
Luke, the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14), wrote his Gospel to present a carefully ordered and accurate account of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:1–4). Writing to Theophilus and a broader Gentile audience, Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man who came to seek and save the lost.

Luke 18 falls within the travel narrative (Luke 9:51-19:27), a section detailing Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem, where He would suffer, die, and rise again. This journey is both geographical and theological, emphasizing discipleship, kingdom values, and the rejection Jesus would face.

Literary Context:
Luke structures the chapter through parables, direct teachings, narrative encounters, and miracles. The chapter contrasts outward religiosity with inward faith, pride with humility, and self-sufficiency with total dependence on God. Repetition of key words such as “faith,” “justify,” “receive,” and “kingdom” contributes to its theological weight.

The narrative flow builds to a climax in verses 31-34 with Jesus‘ prophecy about His suffering, showing that everything previously taught points toward the cross.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points

1. Persistent Faith and the Justice of God (vv. 1-8)

Theme: God’s people are to pray persistently and not lose heart, knowing God is just and attentive.
Doctrine: God’s justice is sure and timely (Romans 12:19). While the wicked judge helps for selfish reasons, God responds out of love and covenant faithfulness.
Application: Believers should maintain trust in God’s timing, especially when justice seems delayed. Persevering prayer is a mark of faith (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

2. Justification by Faith, Not Works (vv. 9-14)

Theme: True righteousness comes from humility and repentance, not religious performance.
Doctrine: Justification is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The tax collector, acknowledging his sin, is justified, while the Pharisee, trusting in his own merit, is not.
Application: Gospel-centered preaching must expose self-righteousness and exalt the mercy of God in Christ (Romans 3:23-26).

3. Childlike Faith (vv. 15-17)

Theme: The Kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it with childlike trust and dependence.
Doctrine: Salvation is not earned but received (John 1:12). Children represent the humility and helplessness required to enter God’s Kingdom.
Application: Churches must nurture faith in the next generation and teach that salvation is a gift, not a reward.

4. The Danger of Riches and the Cost of Discipleship (vv. 18-30)

Theme: Earthly wealth can hinder spiritual surrender; salvation requires absolute allegiance to Christ.
Doctrine: Salvation is humanly impossible but divinely possible (Luke 18:27). This supports the doctrines of regeneration and divine calling (John 6:44).
Application: Preachers must teach the cost of discipleship honestly (Luke 9:23) and call for total surrender to Christ above all earthly possessions.

5. The Cross Foretold (vv. 31-34)

Theme: Jesus voluntarily heads to Jerusalem to fulfill all that was written by the prophets.
Doctrine: Fulfillment of prophecy confirms the authority of Scripture (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22). Jesus‘ atonement was foretold and necessary.
Application: The cross must remain central in all Christian teaching. It is the heart of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

6. Salvation Brings Spiritual Sight (vv. 35-43)

Theme: Jesus responds to those who cry out in faith, restoring not only physical but spiritual sight.
Doctrine: Jesus is the compassionate Savior who brings light to the blind (John 9:39). The beggar represents those who recognize their need and turn to Christ.
Application: Pastors should preach Christ as the One who opens blind eyes, both physically and spiritually. Evangelism must invite people to cry out to Jesus in faith.

Sermon Series Suggestions from Luke 18

You may consider breaking this chapter into a sermon series under the theme: “Faith that Sees the Kingdom”

Sermon 1: The Power of Persistent Prayer (vv. 1-8)

Text: Luke 18:1-8
Theme: Don’t give up on prayer because God doesn’t give up on His people.
Example: Compare the unjust judge and the just Father.
Application: Commit to daily intercession, even when answers delay.

Sermon 2: The Heart God Justifies (vv. 9-14)

Text: Luke 18:9-14
Theme: Only the humble heart receives God’s justification.
Transition: From outer performance to inner posture.
Application: Confess pride and embrace gospel-centered humility.

Sermon 3: Receive Like a Child (vv. 15-17)

Text: Luke 18:15-17
Theme: Simplicity and dependence are the posture of true faith.
Application: Reflect on where you may be trusting in self instead of receiving God’s grace.

Sermon 4: One Thing You Lack (vv. 18-30)

Text: Luke 18:18-30
Theme: The rich young ruler lacked surrender despite his morality.
Application: Surrender all idols and count the cost of following Christ.

Sermon 5: The Suffering Savior Foretold (vv. 31-34)

Text: Luke 18:31-34
Theme: The cross is the fulfillment of Scripture and plan of God.
Application: Trust in the finished work of Christ as the centerpiece of your faith.

Sermon 6: Faith That Opens Blind Eyes (vv. 35-43)

Text: Luke 18:35-43
Theme: Jesus responds to the cries of faith with mercy and healing.
Application: Call out to Christ for spiritual sight and restoration.

Key Doctrinal Points to Emphasize

Biblical Authority: Jesus teaches and fulfills what is written (vv. 31-34), affirming Scripture’s authority and accuracy.
Justification by Faith: Salvation is not by works but by God’s mercy through faith (vv. 9-14).
Sovereignty of God: Only God can save (vv. 26-27); human effort cannot merit eternal life.
Christ’s Substitutionary Atonement: Jesus foretells His sacrificial death, which is central to the Gospel (vv. 31-34).
Regeneration and Spiritual Illumination: The blind man symbolizes the transformation that comes through faith in Christ (vv. 35-43).

Verse-by-Verse Analysis of Luke 18 (NIV)

Verses 1-8: The Parable of the Persistent Widow

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (v. 1)

Explanation: Jesus explicitly states the purpose of the parable—persistent prayer is necessary. The widow, a picture of vulnerability, receives justice not because the judge is good, but because she keeps asking (v. 5).
Cross-Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray continually.”
Doctrinal Insight: God’s justice is not reluctant but assured. This parable contrasts human injustice with divine justice, reinforcing God’s moral perfection.
Application: Christians must persevere in prayer, not based on feelings but on God’s promises.

“However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (v. 8b)

Explanation: A rhetorical question highlighting the rarity of enduring faith in the last days.
Cross-Reference: Matthew 24:12-13 – “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…”
Application: Pastors should teach endurance in prayer as a marker of saving faith.

Verses 9-14: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness…” (v. 9)

Explanation: Jesus addresses self-righteousness, represented by the Pharisee.
Cross-Reference: Romans 10:3 – “Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own…”
Doctrinal Insight: Justification by faith is central here. The tax collector’s humility leads to God’s approval (v. 14), while the Pharisee’s pride leads to rejection.

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled…” (v. 14b)

Cross-Reference: James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Application: Leaders must avoid pride in spiritual service. Humility is essential for true communion with God.

Verses 15-17: The Little Children and the Kingdom

“Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (v. 17)

Explanation: Jesus affirms the necessity of simple, dependent faith.
Doctrinal Insight: Soteriology (doctrine of salvation) is shown as a gift, not an achievement.
Cross-Reference: John 3:3 – “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Verses 18-30: The Rich Ruler and Eternal Life

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 18)

Explanation: The ruler misunderstands salvation as something to achieve.
Cross-Reference: Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done…”
Doctrinal Insight: Salvation is by grace alone, and riches can obscure one’s need for Christ.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (v. 27)

Explanation: Jesus makes it clear: only God can save.
Cross-Reference: Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved…”

Verses 31-34: Jesus Predicts His Death

“Everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.” (v. 31)

Explanation: Jesus affirms the inerrancy of the Old Testament.
Cross-Reference: Isaiah 53; Psalm 22; Zechariah 12:10
Doctrinal Insight: Christ’s death is the fulfillment of redemptive prophecy, demonstrating God’s sovereign plan for salvation.

Verses 35-43: The Blind Beggar Receives Sight

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v. 38)

Explanation: A declaration of Jesus as the Messiah. The blind man recognizes what others overlook.
Cross-Reference: Romans 10:13 – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Application: Faith in Jesus brings not only physical but spiritual sight.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus as the Just and Merciful Judge (vv. 1-8)

Jesus reveals the character of God—unlike the unjust judge, He is righteous and loving.
Jesus is the one who will ultimately bring justice (Revelation 19:11).

2. Jesus as the One Who Justifies Sinners (vv. 9-14)

The parable illustrates the doctrine of justification by faith. Jesus Himself is the one who declares the sinner righteous (Romans 5:1).
Jesus’ role as mediator is highlighted in how He reverses the world’s values (Luke 19:10).

3. Jesus as the One Who Welcomes the Helpless (vv. 15-17)

Christ receives the weak, the overlooked, and the dependent. He upholds grace alone as the basis of entry into the Kingdom.

4. Jesus as the Savior Who Demands Surrender (vv. 18-30)

Jesus exposes idolatry in the ruler’s heart. He is the treasure worth selling everything for (Matthew 13:44).
Eternal life requires faith in Him alone—not wealth, law-keeping, or moral standing.

5. Jesus as the Fulfillment of Prophecy (vv. 31-34)

This passage reaffirms Jesus as the Lamb of God who would be betrayed, mocked, killed, and rise again (Luke 24:27).
All redemptive history centers on Christ (John 5:39).

6. Jesus as the Healer and Savior (vv. 35-43)

Jesus not only opens blind eyes physically but opens hearts to believe (2 Corinthians 4:6).
His compassion and power confirm His identity as the Messiah and Son of God.

Connection to God the Father

1. The Father’s Justice and Compassion (vv. 1-8)

The parable of the widow indirectly reveals the Father’s heart: unlike the reluctant judge, God is eager to respond to His children.
This aligns with Jesus‘ teaching on God’s fatherly nature (Luke 11:13 – “your Father in heaven gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”).

2. The Father Justifies the Humble (vv. 9-14)

God exalts the humble and resists the proud. This mirrors the Father’s attribute of holiness and grace (James 4:6; Psalm 138:6).

3. The Father Welcomes the Childlike (vv. 15-17)

The Father’s kingdom is accessed not through greatness, but through dependence and trust. Jesus reflects the Father’s will by inviting children.

4. The Father’s Gift of Salvation (vv. 18-30)

Eternal life is described as an inheritance (v. 18), pointing to the Father as the giver of life (John 6:44; Romans 6:23).
God the Father gives the Son and requires that people believe in Him (John 3:16).

5. The Father’s Redemptive Plan (vv. 31-34)

Jesus affirms that everything happening to Him is by the will of the Father (Acts 2:23).
The cross is not a mistake, but part of the divine plan foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20).

6. The Father’s Response to Faith (vv. 35-43)

The healing of the blind man is evidence of God’s mercy, expressed through the Son.
The Father is glorified through the Son’s work, as the people praise God (v. 43).

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Luke 18

Although Luke 18 does not explicitly name the Holy Spirit, His presence and work are clearly implied throughout the chapter in several critical ways:

1. The Spirit Enables Persistent Prayer (vv. 1-8)

The widow’s persistence mirrors the Spirit’s work in sustaining a believer’s prayer life.
Romans 8:26 – “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit himself intercedes for us.”
The call to not give up in prayer assumes the indwelling presence of the Spirit, who empowers perseverance.

2. The Spirit Convicts of Sin and Produces Humility (vv. 9-14)

The tax collector’s prayer reflects the Spirit’s conviction of sin (John 16:8).
Only by the Spirit can one recognize their need for mercy and reject self-righteousness.

3. The Spirit Enables Childlike Faith (vv. 15-17)

Galatians 4:6 – “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’”
The Spirit brings about childlike dependence and trust in God, making us children of God.

4. The Spirit Reveals the Idolatry of the Heart (vv. 18-30)

The rich ruler’s struggle shows the Spirit’s role in uncovering idols (wealth, pride) that block surrender to Christ.
Acts 2:38–39 connects repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit as part of the salvation experience.

5. The Spirit Illuminates the Word of Christ (vv. 31-34)

The disciples’ inability to grasp Jesus’ death points to their need for the Spirit’s illumination (John 14:26).
Post-resurrection, the Spirit would open their minds to understand these truths (Luke 24:45).

6. The Spirit Awakens Saving Faith (vv. 35-43)

The blind man cries out in faith—an act inspired by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).
His healing is a physical picture of the spiritual sight the Spirit brings to the heart.

Sermon Outline and Flow: “Faith that Sees the Kingdom” (Luke 18)

Title: “Faith that Sees the Kingdom”

Text: Luke 18
Theme: True faith is persistent, humble, childlike, surrendered, cross-centered, and Spirit-empowered.
Purpose: To urge the church to embrace Kingdom faith that pleases God and receives His mercy and grace.

Introduction

Open with a question: “What kind of faith does God honor?”
Brief overview of Luke 18: Jesus teaches about faith through prayer, parables, and encounters.
Transition: Let’s explore six marks of faith that sees the Kingdom.

Main Points

I. Faith that Prays Persistently (vv. 1-8)

Truth: God delights in faithful, enduring prayer.
Application: Don’t give up—God hears you.
Illustration: A mother praying for her prodigal son for 10 years before he returned to Christ.

II. Faith that Humbles Itself (vv. 9-14)

Truth: God justifies the humble, not the self-righteous.
Application: Confess pride; embrace God’s mercy.
Example: Testimony of a businessman who lost everything and came to Christ when he realized his spiritual bankruptcy.

III. Faith that Trusts Like a Child (vv. 15-17)

Truth: The Kingdom is received, not achieved.
Application: Stop trying to earn grace—receive it like a child.
Illustration: A child jumping into their parent’s arms without fear—trusting completely.

IV. Faith that Surrenders Everything (vv. 18-30)

Truth: Salvation requires surrender, not just sincerity.
Application: Identify what you’re unwilling to give up for Christ.
Illustration: A young professional who chose missions over a high-paying job, trusting God for provision.

V. Faith that Trusts in the Cross (vv. 31-34)

Truth: Jesus’ death and resurrection are central to our faith.
Application: Keep the cross central in your beliefs, teaching, and daily life.
Example: Reference to missionary Jim Elliot’s journal: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

VI. Faith that Cries Out for Mercy (vv. 35-43)

Truth: Jesus responds to desperate faith.
Application: Don’t be silent. Call out to Jesus for healing, salvation, and help.
Illustration: A church member once far from God, crying out during a worship service, now transformed and serving in ministry.

Application for Today’s Christian

Luke 18 offers deeply practical guidance for believers seeking to live faithfully in a fallen world. Its truths intersect with everyday challenges in discipleship, stewardship, humility, prayer, and total dependence on Christ.

1. Pray with Persistence (vv. 1-8)

Discipleship: Develop a disciplined prayer life. Make prayer a first response, not a last resort.
Practical Step: Set aside daily time for prayer and journaling specific requests and praises.
Encouragement: Trust that God’s silence does not mean indifference—He is shaping your heart and situation.

2. Reject Self-Righteousness (vv. 9-14)

Discipleship: Examine your heart for hidden pride and performance-based faith.
Practical Step: Regularly confess sin to God and to trusted believers (James 5:16).
Stewardship: Steward the Gospel humbly, not as those who “have arrived” but as beggars showing other beggars where to find bread.

3. Receive God’s Kingdom with Childlike Faith (vv. 15-17)

Discipleship: Cultivate trust and teachability. Resist cynicism and prideful self-sufficiency.
Practical Step: Embrace the spiritual disciplines with joy, not duty—like a child running into the arms of a loving Father.

4. Surrender All for Christ (vv. 18-30)

Stewardship: Evaluate what occupies your heart—possessions, status, or Christ?
Practical Step: Practice regular generosity. Support your local church and ministries. Simplify your life to make room for eternal priorities.
Discipleship: Follow Jesus wherever He leads, regardless of cost.

5. Keep the Cross Central (vv. 31-34)

Faith: Let Jesus’ death and resurrection shape your worldview. The Gospel is not the starting point—it is the whole journey.
Practical Step: Preach the Gospel to yourself daily. Remember that grace is your identity and fuel for obedience.

6. Cry Out to Jesus in Faith (vv. 35-43)

Daily Living: When in need, cry out in faith. Jesus responds to honest dependence.
Practical Step: Turn trials into opportunities to experience God’s mercy. Share testimonies of answered prayer to encourage others.

Connection to God’s Love

Luke 18 vividly reveals the loving character of God through Jesus Christ. God’s love is not passive—it is redemptive, restorative, and relentless.

1. God Hears the Prayers of the Needy (vv. 1-8)

The widow is heard—not because of her power, but because of God’s mercy. This reflects God’s loving attentiveness to His people.
God’s love doesn’t dismiss our weariness; He invites us to draw near and persevere.

2. God Justifies the Repentant (vv. 9-14)

The tax collector walks away justified—loved, forgiven, and restored. This is the heart of God’s love: He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
The Father’s love is shown not in rewarding the best performer but in restoring the broken-hearted.

3. God Welcomes the Childlike (vv. 15-17)

Jesus blesses the children, revealing a God who is not distant or disinterested but welcomes and embraces the helpless and overlooked.

4. God Pursues the Rich with Love (vv. 18-30)

Jesus doesn’t reject the rich ruler—He invites him to life. God’s love reaches even those blinded by wealth and self-sufficiency.

5. God Sent His Son to Suffer and Die (vv. 31-34)

The ultimate proof of God’s love: Jesus walks knowingly into betrayal and death. This is redemptive love in action (Romans 5:8).

6. God Heals and Saves (vv. 35-43)

Jesus stops for the blind beggar. He listens. He heals. He restores. God’s love restores dignity and brings new life.

Broader Biblical Themes in Luke 18

Luke 18 fits beautifully within the larger framework of God’s redemptive plan revealed in Scripture.

1. Redemption

From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture tells of a God who redeems the broken.
- Luke 18:14 – “This man… went home justified.”
- Reflects Romans 3:23-26 – salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus.

2. Kingdom of God

Jesus continues to define and demonstrate what His Kingdom looks like:
- It belongs to the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3), the childlike (Luke 18:17), and the humble (Luke 18:14).
- The Kingdom is not earned—it is received through surrender and faith.

3. Covenant

God remains faithful to His covenant promise to send a Savior.
- Jesus‘ prophecy of His suffering (vv. 31–34) fulfills Old Testament promises (Isaiah 53; Genesis 3:15).
- God’s covenant love is seen in His faithfulness to redeem a people for Himself.

4. Creation and Image of God

The emphasis on dignity (children, tax collectors, the blind) echoes Genesis 1:27: all people bear God’s image.
Restoration (healing of the blind) is a foretaste of the new creation where all things will be made new (Revelation 21:5).

5. Grace vs. Works

From the Garden of Eden to the Cross, humanity has tried to earn favor with God.
- Luke 18 confronts this false path (the Pharisee and the ruler) and calls us back to grace alone.
- This theme saturates Paul’s letters (Galatians, Romans) and is embodied in Jesus’ teaching.

Reflection Questions for Luke 18

These questions are arranged according to the major sections of the chapter. They are designed to help believers examine their own hearts, grow in discipleship, and apply the truth of Scripture in daily life.

Luke 18:1-8 – The Persistent Widow

In what areas of your life have you grown weary in prayer? What’s holding you back from persistent faith?
How does this parable shape your understanding of God’s justice and timing?
What might it look like for you to “not give up” in prayer this week?

Luke 18:9-14 – The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Are there ways you’ve been trusting in your own goodness rather than God’s mercy?
When was the last time you truly came before God like the tax collector—honest, broken, and dependent?
How can this parable help you grow in humility and compassion for others?

Luke 18:15-17 – Jesus Welcomes the Little Children

What does childlike faith mean to you? Are there areas where you are struggling to simply trust God?
How can you cultivate a spirit of dependence and joy in your relationship with God?
What lessons can we learn from children about receiving the Kingdom?

Luke 18:18-30 – The Rich Ruler

What is the “one thing you lack”? Is there something you’re holding back from surrendering to Christ?
How do you view wealth and possessions in light of Jesus’ call to follow Him?
What does this passage teach you about the true cost—and reward—of discipleship?

Luke 18:31-34 – Jesus Predicts His Death

How does knowing that Jesus knowingly went to the cross for you affect your daily walk with Him?
Why do you think the disciples struggled to understand what Jesus said? Are there Gospel truths you struggle to grasp or apply?
How central is the message of the cross in your daily life, your prayers, and your witness?

Luke 18:35-43 – The Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

When was the last time you cried out to Jesus with the desperation of the blind man?
What does this passage show you about Jesus’ compassion and power?
In what ways has Jesus opened your eyes—spiritually or otherwise—and how are you responding with praise and obedience?

Whole-Chapter Reflection

Which part of Luke 18 convicted you most? Why?
How do the six scenes in this chapter give a complete picture of what real, saving faith looks like?
What step of obedience or faith is the Lord calling you to take after studying this chapter?