Luke 18: Come Like a Child

Jesus teaches His followers to keep praying and not give up, and He contrasts a proud Pharisee with a humble tax collector who prays for mercy. He welcomes little children, answers a rich ruler, predicts His death and resurrection, and gives sight to a blind man who cries out to Him.

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Read Luke 18

World English Bible · 43 verses

¹ He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God and didn’t respect man.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ He wouldn’t for a while; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ He also spoke this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others:This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed by himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men: extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ They were also bringing their babies to him, that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn’t receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ He said, “I have observed all these things from my youth up.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was very rich.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ Peter said, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the world to come, eternal life.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² For he will be delivered up to the Gentiles, will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit on.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ They will scourge and kill him. On the third day, he will rise again.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ “What do you want me to do?” He said, “Lord, that I may see again.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Answer key (print separately)More print options ↓

Open Preschool on its own page

Luke 18 · Preschool

Jesus Loves the Children

Name Date

Color the picture.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

Jesus summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Give your child a hug: Jesus loves you!

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Luke 18 · Grade 4

Humble Prayers

Name Date

Read and Think

Jesus told a parable so His followers would always pray and not lose heart. A widow kept asking a judge who did not fear God to give her justice. He finally helped her just to stop her coming. If an unjust judge listens, how much more will God, our loving Father, answer His chosen ones.

Jesus told another parable to people who trusted in their own goodness. A Pharisee stood and thanked God that he was not like other people. A tax collector stood far off, beat his chest, and asked God for mercy. Jesus said the humble tax collector went home justified, which means made right with God.

When people brought babies to Jesus, He welcomed them. He said we must receive God's Kingdom like a little child. A rich ruler loved his riches more than God and went away sad. Jesus told the twelve that He would be handed over, killed, and rise on the third day. Near Jericho, a blind man cried out to the Son of David, and Jesus healed him.

Show What You Know

What is the point of the widow and the judge story?
What does justified mean?
How must we receive God's Kingdom?
What did Jesus tell the twelve would happen?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

PhariseeblindGodmercyJesus

told a parable so His followers would always pray and not lose heart.
A widow kept asking a judge who did not fear to give her justice.
A stood and thanked God that he was not like other people.
A tax collector stood far off, beat his chest, and asked God for .
Near Jericho, a man cried out to the Son of David, and Jesus healed him.

Think About It

How is your prayer more like the Pharisee's or the tax collector's? What can you learn from the tax collector?
What does it mean to come to Jesus like a little child?

Memory Verse

“But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’”

Luke 18:13 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Jesus told a story to teach us to keep praying and not give up. What will you keep praying for?
How can you come to God with a humble heart?
The rich ruler found it hard to give up his riches. What might be hard for you to give to God?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Luke 18 · Grade 5

Impossible with Men, Possible with God

Name Date

Read and Think

Luke 18 teaches how to come to God. First, Jesus told about a persistent widow and an unjust judge, so His followers would always pray and not give up. If even a bad judge gives in to persistence, God, who loves His people, will surely bring them justice. Jesus then asked whether He would find faith on earth when He returns.

Next, Jesus told of two men praying. The Pharisee listed his good deeds and looked down on others. The tax collector simply begged for mercy. Jesus said the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Children illustrate this. They come to Jesus with empty hands, simply trusting.

A rich ruler had kept many commands, but his wealth held his heart. When Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him, he became sorrowful. Jesus said it is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom. The disciples asked who then can be saved. Jesus answered that what is impossible with men is possible with God. Salvation is God's work. Then Jesus foretold His death and resurrection, and a blind beggar, crying for mercy, received his sight and followed Jesus.

Show What You Know

What question did Jesus ask at the end of the widow parable?
Why did the tax collector go home justified instead of the Pharisee?
How do children illustrate the right way to come to God?
What held the rich ruler back?
What does it mean that salvation is God's work?

Crossword

Across

Let the little ____ come to Me.

Down

Jesus said to keep ____ and never give up.
He bragged in his prayer.
A ____ man cried out to Jesus.
The tax collector asked God to be ____.
The ____ ruler was sad.

Think About It

The blind beggar kept crying out even when people told him to be quiet. What does that teach you about prayer?
What might hold your heart back from following Jesus fully, the way wealth held the rich ruler?

Memory Verse

But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Luke 18:27 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What prayer will you not give up on?
What things could pull you away from God?
What seems too hard for you that you can bring to God?

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Luke 18: Come Like a Child

Read Luke 18

Worksheets

Jesus Loves the Children

Prayer

Take It Home

Jesus Loves Children

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Come Like a Child

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Let the Children Come

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

God Be Merciful to Me

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Humble Prayers

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Impossible with Men, Possible with God

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options