Luke 18:7-8

Context
18:7 Won’t¹ God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out² to him day and night?³ Will he delay⁴ long to help them? 18:8 I tell you, he will give them justice speedily.⁵ Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith⁶ on earth?”

Luke 18:2

Context
18:2 He said,⁷ “In a certain city⁸ there was a judge⁹ who neither feared God nor respected people.¹⁰

Luke 2:3

Context
2:3 Everyone¹¹ went to his own town¹² to be registered.

[18:7] ¹tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[18:7] ²sn The prayers have to do with the righteous who cry out to him to receive justice. The context assumes the righteous are persecuted.

[18:7] ³tn The emphatic particles in this sentence indicate that God will indeed give justice to the righteous.

[18:7] ⁴sn The issue of delay has produced a whole host of views for this verse. (1) Does this assume provision to endure in the meantime? Or (2) does it mean God restricts the level of persecution until he comes? Either view is possible.

[18:8] ⁵tn Some argue this should be translated “suddenly.” When vindication comes it will be quick. But the more natural meaning is “soon.” God will not forget his elect and will respond to them. It may be that this verse has a prophetic perspective. In light of the eternity that comes, vindication is soon.

[18:8] ⁶sn Will he find faith on earth? The Son of Man is looking for those who continue to believe in him, despite the wait.

[18:2] ⁷tn Grk “lose heart, saying.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in the Greek text, but a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronominal subject “He.”

[18:2] ⁸tn Or “town.”

[18:2] ⁹sn The judge here is apparently portrayed as a civil judge who often handled financial cases.

[18:2] ¹⁰tn Grk “man,” but the singular ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used as a generic in comparison to God.

[2:3] ¹¹tn Grk “And everyone.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[2:3] ¹²tn Or “hometown” (so CEV).