Luke 18:1

Prayer and the Parable of the Persistent Widow

18:1 Then¹ Jesus² told them a parable to show them they should always³ pray and not lose heart.⁴

Luke 21:36

21:36 But stay alert at all times,⁵ praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must⁶ happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Romans 12:12

12:12 Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18

6:18 With every prayer and petition, pray⁷ at all times in the Spirit, and to this end⁸ be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.

Colossians 4:2

Exhortation to Pray for the Success of Paul’s Mission

4:2 Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:1

4:1 Masters, treat your slaves with justice and fairness, because you know that you also have a master in heaven.

Colossians 4:7

Personal Greetings and Instructions

4:7 Tychicus, a dear brother, faithful minister, and fellow slave⁹ in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.¹⁰

¹tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

²tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³tn Or “should pray at all times” (L&N 67.88).

⁴sn This is one of the few parables that comes with an explanation at the start: …they should always pray and not lose heart. It is part of Luke’s goal in encouraging Theophilus (1:4).

⁵sn The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.

⁶tn For the translation of μέλλω (mellw) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.

⁷tn Both “pray” and “be alert” are participles in the Greek text (“praying…being alert”). Both are probably instrumental, loosely connected with all of the preceding instructions. As such, they are not additional commands to do but instead are the means through which the prior instructions are accomplished.

⁸tn Grk “and toward it.”

⁹tn See the note on “fellow slave” in 1:7.

¹⁰tn Grk “all things according to me.”