Luke7
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1After he had ended all his sayings in the ears of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and at the point of death.
3And when he heard concerning Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews, asking him that he would come and save his servant.
4And they, when they came to Jesus, besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him;
5for he loveth our nation, and himself built us our synagogue.
6And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:
7wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
8For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9And when Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned and said unto the multitude that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole.
11And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude.
12Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.
16And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people.
17And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judaea, and all the region round about.
18And the disciples of John told him of all these things.
19And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
20And when the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?
21In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight.
22And he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them.
23And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.
24And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?
25But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
26But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
27This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.
28I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
30But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him.
31Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like?
32They are like unto children that sit in the marketplace, and call one to another; who say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.
33For John the Baptist is come eating no bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a demon.
34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold, a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35And wisdom is justified of all her children.
36And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.
37And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,
38and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.
40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on.
41A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty.
42When they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?
43Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.
45Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins?
50And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 7.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The centurion's servant healed. (1–10). The widow's son raised. (11–18). John the Baptist's inquiry concerning Jesus. (19–35). Christ anointed in the house of the Pharisee, The parable of the two debtors. (36–50).
vv1-10
Servants should study to endear themselves to their masters. Masters ought to take particular care of their servants when they are sick. We may still, by faithful and fervent prayer, apply to Christ, and ought to do so when sickness is in our families. The building places for religious worship is a good work, and an instance of love to God and his people. Our Lord Jesus was pleased with the centurion's faith; and he never fails to answer the expectations of that faith which honours his power and love. The cure soon wrought and perfect.
vv11-18
When the Lord saw the poor widow following her son to the grave, he had compassion on her. See Christ's power over death itself. The gospel call to all people, to young people particularly, is, Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light and life. When Christ put life into him, it appeared by the youth's sitting up. Have we grace from Christ? Let us show it. He began to speak: whenever Christ gives us spiritual life, he opens the lips in prayer and praise. When dead souls are raised to spiritual life, by Divine power going with the gospel, we must glorify God, and look upon it as a gracious visit to his people. Let us seek for such an interest in our compassionate Saviour, that we may look forward with joy to the time when the Redeemer's voice shall call forth all that are in their graves. May we be called to the resurrection of life, not to that of damnation.
vv19-35
To his miracles in the kingdom of nature, Christ adds this in the kingdom of grace, To the poor the gospel is preached. It clearly pointed out the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom, that the messenger he sent before him to prepare his way, did it by preaching repentance and reformation of heart and life. We have here the just blame of those who were not wrought upon by the ministry of John Baptist or of Jesus Christ himself. They made a jest of the methods God took to do them good. This is the ruin of multitudes; they are not serious in the concerns of their souls. Let us study to prove ourselves children of Wisdom, by attending the instructions of God's word, and adoring those mysteries and glad tidings which infidels and Pharisees deride and blaspheme.
Key Words
ἐπειδή (epeidḗ): since now, i.e. (of time) when, or (of cause) whereas
πληρόω (plēróō): to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.
πᾶς (pâs): all, any, every, the whole
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ῥῆμα (rhēma): an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἀκοή (akoḗ): hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard)
λαός (laós): a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)
Καπερναούμ (Kapernaoúm): Capernaum (i.e. Caphanachum), a place in Palestine
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
Cross References
Luke 7The direct parallel account of the healing of the Centurion's servant in Capernaum.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallel account of John the Baptist sending his disciples to question Jesus from prison.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The exact parallel parable of the children in the marketplace and the contrasting ministries.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Prophetic description of the blind seeing and deaf hearing, which Jesus points to as proof.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Direct prophecy of the messenger sent to prepare the way, cited by Jesus of John.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Elijah raising the widow's son and delivering him to his mother, echoing Jesus' actions.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Elisha raising the Shunammite's son, matching the prophetic visitation theme in Luke 7:16.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Messianic prophecy of preaching the gospel to the poor, fulfilled in Jesus' ministry.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Another instance of anointing with costly ointment, showing similar devotion and cultural practice.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the prophetic theme of Zacharias' song that God has visited His people.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the publicans believing John's ministry with the self-righteous rejection by religious leaders.
Supported by JFB
Similar parabolic use of monetary debt to illustrate the vastness of spiritual transgression.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus exercising His divine authority to declare sins forgiven, sparking similar internal controversy.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Demonstrates the ancient Near Eastern custom of offering water to wash guests' feet.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the traditional cultural hospitality of anointing the head with oil.
Supported by Matthew Henry