S4E23: The Parable of the Persistent Widow

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In this episode we discuss the parable of the persistent widow from Luke 18. Jesus speaks this parable in context to the discussion of the sudden and apocalyptic coming of the messianic kingdom in Luke 17:20-37. As has been common throughout Jewish liturgical history, this parable is spoken to encourage faith and prayer for the coming of the Messiah and the day of the Lord.

Show notes

• The apocalyptic context of the parable – Luke 17:20-37 (5:32)
• Allegory: the widow and the judge – Lamentations 1:1; Isaiah 54:4 (13:02)
• The “elect” in its covenantal context – Isaiah 65:9-22; 1 Enoch 1:8-9 (18:14)
• The delay and losing heart (22:18)
• Similar language in Second Temple literature – Sirach 35:14–25; 36:1-29 (28:35)
• Liturgy and the redemption of Israel – Isaiah 62:1-7; Amidah; Didache 10:5-6 (35:56)
• Modern approaches to the parable (47:35)