Said and unsaid : the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Lk 18:1-8)

Abstract

Jesus wraps up the parable of the Unjust Judge and the Widow in Lk 18:1-8 with an a minore ad maius conclusion, or according to the first of Rabbi Hillel’s Seven Middoth (‘measurements’) of Jewish interpretative exegesis, with a Qal Wahomer (literally, ‘light and heavy’). This interpretative rule states that what applies in a less important case will certainly apply in a more important one. Jesus concludes his teaching on praying with a classic statement: “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice (ἐκδίκησιν, ekdίkēsin) to his chosen ones who cry to him by day and by night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice (ἐκδίκησιν, ekdίkēsin) to them” (Lk 18:6-8). [Excerpt from Introduction]