Joe: Alright, so what's the scoop on Luke 18?

Bible Expert: Well, Joe, Luke 18 begins with a parable about a persistent widow who keeps going back to an unjust judge for her request to be heard. The judge eventually gives in to her plea and grants her justice.

Joe: Wow! A story about persistence! That's incredible.

Bible Expert: Yes, and the point of the parable is that if an unjust judge can eventually be persuaded, how much more will God answer the cries of His people.

Joe: Okay, so what else happens in Luke 18?

Bible Expert: In this chapter, Jesus also tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee is proud of his own righteousness and looks down on the tax collector, while the tax collector humbly prays for mercy. Jesus teaches us that those who humble themselves will be exalted, and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.

Joe: Interesting. Anything else?

Bible Expert: Yes, Jesus also tells a parable about a rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus. The rich man is unsympathetic to the beggar and ignores his plight, while Lazarus longs to simply have the crumbs from the rich man's table. The moral of the story is that we should be generous and merciful to those in need.

Joe: Alright, so what's the overall takeaway from Luke 18?

Bible Expert: The overall takeaway from Luke 18 is that we should be persistent in prayer, humble ourselves before God, and be generous and merciful to those in need.