King James Version

What Does Luke 18:8 Mean?

Luke 18:8 in the King James Version says “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily . Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 18:8 · KJV

Faith

Context

6

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8

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

9

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

10

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

Read Luke 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The promise and question: 'I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?' Jesus promises: God 'will avenge them speedily' (ἐν τάχει, en tachei, quickly, soon). This seems to contradict 'bear long' (v. 7). The resolution: God's timing is 'speedy' from eternal perspective, though it may seem slow from human viewpoint. 'With the Lord one day is as a thousand years' (2 Peter 3:8). Then Jesus asks a haunting question: 'when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?' (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐλθὼν ἆρα εὑρήσει τὴν πίστιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ho huios tou anthrōpou elthōn ara heurēsei tēn pistin epi tēs gēs). Persistence in prayer expresses faith; abandoning prayer reveals unbelief. Will Christ return to find His people still faithfully praying?

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' question anticipates widespread apostasy before His return. Paul warns of end-times abandonment of faith (1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 4:3-4). Revelation describes spiritual decline in churches (Revelation 2-3). The question isn't whether there will be any believers (there will be—Matthew 24:22) but whether persistent, faith-filled prayer will characterize the church. Many professed Christians may abandon prayer and faith when faced with prolonged trials, delayed answers, and cultural opposition. The parable challenges every generation: will you maintain persistent, faithful prayer regardless of delays or discouragements? Or will you abandon prayer and drift into unbelief? Enduring faith persists in prayer until Christ returns.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' question about finding faith challenge assumptions about end-times revival?
  2. What's the relationship between persistence in prayer and maintaining faith until Christ's return?
  3. How can you cultivate the kind of persistent, faithful prayer Jesus commends here?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
λέγω1 of 22

“I tell”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν2 of 22

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι3 of 22

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ποιήσει4 of 22

“he will”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὴν5 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκδίκησιν6 of 22

“avenge”

G1557

vindication, retribution

αὐτῶν7 of 22

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν8 of 22
G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τάχει9 of 22

“speedily”

G5034

a brief space (of time), i.e., (with g1722 prefixed) in haste

πλὴν10 of 22

“Nevertheless”

G4133

moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet

ὁ11 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς12 of 22

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ13 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου14 of 22

“of man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐλθὼν15 of 22

“cometh”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἆρα16 of 22

“when”

G687

therefore

εὑρήσει17 of 22

“shall he find”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

τὴν18 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστιν19 of 22

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἐπὶ20 of 22

“on”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῆς21 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆς22 of 22

“the earth”

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 18:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 18:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 10:23-262 Peter 3:8-9Psalms 46:5Matthew 24:9-13Luke 17:26-30Psalms 143:7-9

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