In this article Hays argues that the theme of justice is the central theme and motif of Luke 18:1 to Luke 19:10. Hays notices Luke's use of the Old Testament prophets and the theme of justice to be found in the prophets as it is connected to the coming messianic era. He then notices the socio-economic context of the first-century Palestine. Finally, Hays demonstrates how the theme of justice runs through Luke 18 to 19.

This article notes a shift in regard to the method concerning the study of the history of Israel (historiography). Previously the tendency was toward the study of theology and literary criticism. Historians entering the discussions now concentrate on socio-economic, anthropological and historiographic issues. The works of B. Halpern, R. Coote, and D.