MPV Commentary

1-5. The persistent widow is always coming to her opponent, day and night (compare Luke 18:7).

She does not lose heart or give up, defying God's vengeance and despising human opinion.

A widow is a weak, defenseless person, left alone with no one to care for her (1 Timothy 5:5, which quotes this passage).

3. The widow keeps coming to the judge, repeatedly asking him to avenge her (that is, to rid her of the oppression she's suffering).

Her persistent requests are described as "continual" or ongoing (compare Luke 18:5).

6-8. Jesus interprets his own parable in an authoritative tone, using the name that signifies His divine authority.

7. Will not God, who is infinitely righteous and just, avenge His elect, those dear to Him like the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8)?

They cry out day and night, their every cry entering into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth (James 5:4), and how much more so when they persist in prayer!

God bears long with them, patiently waiting for the right moment to intervene.

8. Yet, before the Son of man comes to redress the wrongs of His Church, hope will sink so low that one will wonder if anyone will be left on earth who still believes in a coming deliverer.

From this parable we learn: (1) The primary reference is to the Church in its desolate and oppressed state during Jesus' absence; (2) In these circumstances, importunate prayer for deliverance is the Church's fitting response; (3) Despite every encouragement, relief will be delayed, and hope of deliverance will nearly disappear.

However, the parable's application to prayer in general is so obvious that it has almost overshadowed its more direct reference.