The parable of the Widow and The Judge is actually a catechism on prayer: the story part (2-5) is completed by a teaching (6-7) and a challenge (
. A similar teaching about persistence in prayer has been reported early in the gospel of Luke (11:5-8). This time, however, the stress is on the necessity of praying without ceasing.
The story part contains forensic terminology: "to avenge " (ekdikew) and "adversary" [antidiko"]are court terminologies which do not have exact renderings in our modern language. Even the "Judge" is not simply one who listens to a defendant and a plaintiff and their respective attorneys. The function of the "Judge" here must be understood not simply as an arbitrator of the law but also as a prosecuting attorney in favor of a plaintiff. At a time when justice was not a matter of application of Law but the restoration of a violated right, the Judge was one who ascertains that those who have been offended are vindicated in the sight of the community. The widow was actually asking the Judge "to put her in the right" before someone who has wronged her. In the parable, what is in focus is the attitude of the Judge who respects no one, not even God in front of a persistent widow. At the end of the story, the Judge finally relents for the sake of his own health, to accede to the plea of the widow. Jesus uses this for a "from lesser to heavier" argument:
Hear what the unjust judge saith.
And will not God revenge (ekdikesin)his elect
who cry to him day and night?
And will he have patience in their regard
kai makroqumwn ep autoiV ?
I say to you that he will quickly revenge (ekdikesin)them. (Douay--Rheims)
The parable is told right after the eschatological discourse in 17:20-37. The phrase Elegen de (So he said...) in verse 18:1 makes the parable a continuation of the preceding discourse. The need for continuous prayer arises because of the disciples' situation, that of a defenseless widow who will be confronted by an Antidikos. Jesus' use of ekdikhw in 7.8 suggests a situation where the disciples will be wronged collectively (e.g. systematic and/or organized persecution). Even the use of makrothuumew in this context, seems to respond to an idea where God remains patient against those who do evil. But Jesus points out that in the face of those who ceaselessly pray, God will act as Judge and he will do it quickly (en taxei.
The last verse (v. actually ties up in stylistic fashion the parable with the preceding eschatological discourse.
But when the Son of Man comes,
do you think he will find faith on earth?
It is a question that every disciple will have to answer alone. In the face of a Parousia that seems to be always deferred, and in face of the tribulations that the community will have to face, the question is also a challenge.
