Chapter 18

18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

faith

The reference is not to personal faith, but to belief in the whole body of revealed truth. (Cf) Romans 1:5 ; 1 Corinthians 16:13 ; 2 Corinthians 13:5 ; Colossians 1:23 ; Colossians 2:7 ; Titus 1:13 ; Jude 1:3 .

See "Apostasy," above, in marg. of Luke 18:8 .

(See Scofield "2 Timothy 3:1") .

Son of man (See Scofield "Matthew 8:20") .

18:9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

righteous

(See Scofield "Romans 10:3") .

18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

merciful

Gr.hilaskomai, used in the Septuagint and N.T. in connection with the mercy-seat Exodus 25:17 Exodus 25:18 Exodus 25:21 ; Hebrews 9:5 . As an instructed Jew, the publican is thinking, not of mere mercy, but of the blood-sprinkled mercy seat. (See Scofield "Leviticus 16:5") .

"Propitiation," (See Scofield "Romans 3:25") . His prayer might be paraphrased, "Be toward me as thou are when thou lookest upon the atoning blood." The Bible knows nothing of divine forgiveness apart from sacrifice. See Scofield " Matthew 26:28 ".

merciful i.e. propitiated.

sinner Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23") .

18:26  And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

saved

(See Scofield "Romans 1:16") .

18:31  Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

Son of man

(See Scofield "Matthew 8:20") .

18:35  And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

blind man

(See Scofield "Matthew 20:30") .

18:42  And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

saved

(See Scofield "Romans 1:16") .