Luke 7

Verses 1-10. See Barnes "Mt 8:5" ; See Barnes " Mt 8:6"; See Barnes "Mt 8:7" ; See Barnes " Mt 8:8"; See Barnes "Mt 8:9" ; See Barnes " Mt 8:10"; See Barnes "Mt 8:11" ; See Barnes " Mt 8:12"

' See Barnes "Mt 8:13"

Verse 1. In the audience of the people . In the hearing of the people.

{a} "Now when he had ended" Mt 8:5

Verse 2. Who was dear unto him . That is, he was valuable, trusty, and honoured.

{b} "dear" Job 31:15; Pr 29:21

Verse 3. No notes from Barnes on this verse.

Verse 4. They besought him instantly . Urgently or earnestly.

He was worthy . The centurion. He had showed favour to the Jews, and it was not improper to show him a kindness.

Verse 5. No note by Barnes on this verse.

{c} "loveth our nation" 1 Ki 5:1; Ga 5:6; 1 Jo 3:14; 5:1,2

Verse 6. No notes by Barnes on this verse.

{d} "trouble not thyself"

Lu 8:49

Verse 7. No notes by Barnes on this verse.

{e} "say in a word"

Ps 107:20.

Verse 8. No notes by Barnes on this verse.

{1} "one" or, "this man"

Verse 9. No notes on this verse by Barnes.

Verse 10. No notes by Barnes on this verse.

Verse 11. A city called Nain . This city was in Galilee, in the boundaries of the tribe of Issachar. It was about two miles south of Mount Tabor, and not far from Capernaum. It is now a small village inhabited by Jews, Mohammedans, and Christians. Dr. Thomson ( The Land and the Book, vol. ii. p. 158 ) locates it on the north-west corner of a mount now called Jebel ed Duhy, one hour's ride from the foot of Mount Tabor. Of this place he says:

"This mount is now called Jebel ed Duhy, and that small

hamlet on the north-west comer of it is Nain, famous for

the restoration of the widow's son to life. It was

once a place of considerable extent, but is now little

more than a cluster of ruins, among which dwell a few

families of fanatical Moslems. It is in keeping with the

one historic incident that renders it dear to the Christian,

that its only antiquities are tombs. These are situated

mainly on the east of the village, and it was in that

direction, I presume, that the widow's son was being

carried on that memorable occasion. It took me just an

hour to ride from the foot of Tabor to Nain."

Verse 12. The gate of the city . Cities were surrounded by walls, to defend them from their enemies. They were entered through gates placed at convenient distances from each other. In most cities it was not allowed to bury the dead within the walls; hence they were borne to some convenient burial-place in the vicinity of the city.

A dead man carried out . A funeral procession. Anciently no Jews were buried within the walls of the city, except the kings and distinguished persons, 1 Sa 28:3;2 Ki 21:18. The custom of burying within cities, and especially within the walls of churches or in their vicinity, had its origin among Christians very early; yet perhaps few customs are more deleterious to health than burials within large cities, especially within the walls of frequented buildings. The effluvia from dead bodies is excessively unwholesome. Burial places should be in situations of retirement, far from the tread of the gay and busy world, where all the feelings may be still and calm, and where there can be no injury to health from the mouldering bodies of the dead.

Verse 13. No notes by Barnes on this verse.

Verse 14. No notes by Barnes on this verse.

{2} "bier" or, "coffin" {f} "Arise"

Lu 8:54; Ac 9:40; Ro 4:17

Verse 15. No notes by Barnes on this verse.

{g} "sat up"

2 Ki 4:32-37; Lu 13:21; Joh 11:44

Verse 16. Came a fear on all . An awe or solemnity at the presence of one who had power to raise the dead, and at the miracle which had been performed.

Glorified God . Praised or honoured God that he had sent such a prophet.

And, That God hath visited his people . Some said one thing and some another, but all expressing their belief that God had showed peculiar favour to the people.

Hath visited . See Barnes "Lu 1:68" .

The raising of this young man was one of the most decisive and instructive of our Lord's miracles. There was no doubt that he was dead. There could be no delusion, and no agreement to impose on the people. He came near to the city with no reference to this young man; he met the funeral procession, as it were, by accident, and by a word he restored him to life. All those who had the best opportunity of judging-the mother, the friends— believed him to be dead, and were about to bury him. The evidence that he came to life was decisive. He sat up, he spake, and all were impressed with the full assurance that God had raised him to life. Many witnesses were present, and none doubted that Jesus by a word had restored him to his weeping mother.

The whole scene was affecting. Here was a widowed mother who was following her only son, her stay and hope, to the grave. He was borne along—one in the prime of life and the only comfort of his parent—impressive proof that the young, the useful, the vigorous, and the lovely may die. Jesus met them, apparently a stranger. He approached the procession as if he had something important to say; he touched the bier, and the procession stood still. He was full of compassion for the weeping parent, and by a word restored the youth, stretched upon the bier, to life. He sat up, and spake. Jesus therefore had power over the dead. He also has power to raise sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, to life. He can speak the word, and, though in their death of sin they are borne along toward ruin, he can open their eyes, and raise them up, and restore them revived to real life or to their friends. Often he raises up children in this manner, and gives them, converted to God, to their friends, imparting as real joy as he gave to the widow of Nain by raising her son from the dead. And every child should remember, if he has pious parents, that there is no way in which he can give so much joy to them as embracing Him who is the resurrection and the life, and resolving to live to his glory.

{h} "great prophet" Lu 24:19 {i} "God hath visited" Lu 1:68

Verse 17. No Barnes text on this verse.

Verse 18. No Barnes text on this verse.

Verses 19-35.

See Barnes on "Mt 11:2" through Matthew 11:19.

Verse 19. No specific Barnes text on this verse.

{k} "And John, calling"

Mt 11:2

.

Verse 20. No Barnes notes on this verse.

Verse 21. No Barnes text on this verse.

Verse 22. No Barnes text on this verse.

{m} "tell John"

Joh 1:46

{n} "the blind see" Is 35:5,6 {o} "to the poor the gospel is preached" Lu 4:18; Jas 2:5

Verse 23. No Barnes text on this verse.

{p} "offended in me."

Is 8:14-15; Mt 11:6; 13:57; Lu 2:34; Joh 6:66

1 Co 1:21-28

Verse 24. No Barnes text on this verse.

Verse 25. No Barnes text on this verse.

{q} "in kings' courts"

2 Sa 19:35; Es 1:3,11

Verse 26. No Barnes text on this verse.

{r} "A prophet"

Lu 1:76

Verse 27. No Barnes text on this verse.

{s} "Behold, I sold"

Mal 3:1; Lu 1:15-17

Verse 28. No Barnes text on this verse.

Verse 29. The people . The common people.

That heard him. That heard John.

The publicans . The tax-gatherers, the worst kind of people, who had, however, been converted.

Justified God . Considered God as just or right in the counsel which he gave by John —to wit, in calling men to repentance, and in denouncing future wrath on the impenitent. Comp. Mt 11:19.

Being baptized , &c. They showed that they approved of the message of God by submitting to the ordinance which he commanded—the ordinance of baptism. This verse and the following are not to be considered as the words of Luke, but the continuation of the discourse of our Lord. He is saying what took place in regard to John. Among the common people he was approved and obeyed; among the rich and learned he was despised.

{t} "justified" Ps 51:4; Ro 3:4 {u} "baptized" Mt 3:5,6; Lu 3:12

Verse 30. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected , &c. It appears from Mt 3:7 that some of the Pharisees came to John to be baptized; but still this is entirely consistent with the supposition that the great mass of Pharisees and lawyers rejected him.

The counsel of God . The counsel of God toward them was the solemn admonition by John to repent and be baptized, and be prepared to receive the Messiah. This was the command or revealed will of God in relation to them. When it is said that they rejected the counsel of God, it does not mean that they could frustrate his purposes, but merely that they violated his commands. Men cannot frustrate the real purposes of God, but they can contemn his messages, they can violate his commands, and thus they can reject the counsel which he gives them, and treat with contempt the desire which he manifests for their welfare.

Against themselves . To their own hurt or detriment. God is wise and good. He knows what is best for us. He, therefore, that rejects what God commands, rejects it to his own injury. It cannot be well for any mortal to despise what God commands him to do.

{3} "rejected" or, "frustrated" {v} "counsel of God" Ac 20:27 {4} "against themselves" or, "within themselves"

Verse 31. See this passage explained in the Notes on Mt. 11:16-19. See Barnes on "Mt 11:16" ; See Barnes on " Mt 11:17"; See Barnes on "Mt 11:18" ; See Barnes on " Mt 11:19".

{w} "Whereunto then shall I" Mt 3:4; Mr 1:6; Lu 1:15

Verse 32. See this passage explained in the Notes on Mt. 11:16-19. See Barnes on "Mt 11:16" ; See Barnes on " Mt 11:17"; See Barnes on "Mt 11:18" ; See Barnes on " Mt 11:19".

Verse 33. See this passage explained in the Notes on Mt. 11:16-19. See Barnes on "Mt 11:16" ; See Barnes on " Mt 11:17"; See Barnes on "Mt 11:18" ; See Barnes on " Mt 11:19".

{x} "came neither eating bread" Mt 3:4; Mr 1:6; Lu 1:15

Verse 34. See this passage explained in the Notes on Mt. 11:16-19. See Barnes on "Mt 11:16" ; See Barnes on " Mt 11:17"; See Barnes on "Mt 11:18" ; See Barnes on " Mt 11:19".

{y} "Son of man" Joh 2:2; 12:2; Lu 7:36

Verse 35. And the Lord said. This clause is wanting in almost all the manuscripts, and is omitted by the best critics.

{z} "Wisdom is justified" Pr 8:32-36; 17:16

Verse 36. One of the Pharisees . His name was Simon, Lu 7:10. Nothing more is known of him. It is not improbable, however, from what follows (Lu 7:40-47), that he had been healed by the Saviour of some afflictive disease, and made this feast to show his gratitude.

Sat down to meat . The original word here means only that he placed himself or reclined at the table. The notion of sitting at meals is taken from modern customs, and was not practised by the Jews. See Barnes "Mt 23:6" .

Meat . Supper. Food of any kind. Sat down to eat.

{a} "one of the Pharisees" Mt 26:6; Mr 14:3; Joh 11:2

Verse 37. In the city . What city is meant is unknown. Some have supposed it was Nain; some Capernaum; some Magdala; and some Jerusalem.

Which was a sinner . Who was depraved or wicked. This woman, it seems, was known to be a sinner—perhaps an abandoned woman or a prostitute. It is certain that she had much to be forgiven, and she had probably passed her life in crime. There is no evidence that this was the woman commonly called Mary Magdalene.

An alabaster-box , &c. See Barnes "Mr 14:3" .

{b} "a sinner" Lu 5:32; Lu 7:34; 1 Ti 1:15

Verse 38. Stood at his feet behind him . They reclined, at their meals, on their left side, and their feet, therefore, were extended from the table, so that persons could easily approach them. See Barnes "Mt 23:6" .

Began to wash his feet . The Jews wore sandals. These were taken off when they entered a house. It was an act of hospitality and kindness to wash the feet of a guest. She therefore began to show her love for the Saviour, and at the same time her humility and penitence, by pouring forth a flood of tears, and washing his feet in the manner of a servant.

Kissed his feet . The kiss was an emblem of love and affection. In this manner she testified her love for the Lord Jesus, and at the same time her humility and sense of sin by kissing his feet, There could be few expressions of penitence more deep and tender than were these. A sense of all her sins rushed over her mind; her heart burst at the remembrance of them, and at the presence of the pure Redeemer; with deep sorrow she humbled herself and sought forgiveness. She showed her love for him by a kiss of affection; her humility, by bathing his feet; her veneration, by breaking a costly box—perhaps procured by a guilty life—and anointing his feet. In this way we should all come, embracing him as the loved Redeemer, humbled at his feet, and offering all we have—all that we have gained in lives of sin, in our professions, by merchandise and toil, while we were sinners—offering all to his service. Thus shall we show the sincerity of our repentance, and thus shall we hear his gracious voice pronounce our sins forgiven.

Verse 39. He spake within himself. Thought.

If he were a prophet . The word prophet here means, not one who predicts future events, but one who knows the hearts of men. If Jesus had been sent from God as a prophet, he supposed that he would have known the character of the woman and would have rebuked her.

Would have known , etc. Because Jesus did not rebuke her and drive her from his presence, he inferred that he could not be acquainted with her character. The Pharisees considered it improper to hold communion with those who were notorious sinners.

They judged our Saviour by their own rules, and supposed that he would act in the same way; and Simon therefore concluded that he did not know her character and could not be a prophet. Jesus did not refuse the society of the guilty. He came to save the lost; and no person ever came to him so sure of finding a friend, as those who came conscious that they were deeply depraved, and mourning on account of their crimes.

That toucheth him . The touch of a Gentile, or a person singularly wicked, they supposed to be polluting, and the Pharisees avoided it. See Mt 9:11.

{c} "This man" Joh 9:24 {d} "she is a sinner" Lu 15:2

Verse 40. No Barnes text on this verse.

Verse 41. A certain creditor . A man who had lent money or sold property, the payment for which was yet due.

Five hundred pence . About 69 dollars 26 cents, or £14, 11s. 8d. See Barnes "Mt 18:28" .

Fifty . About 7 dollars, or £1, 9s. 2d

{5} "pence" See Barnes "Mt 18:28" .

Verse 42. Frankly forgave . Freely forgave, or forgave entirely without any compensation. This is not designed to express anything about the way in which God forgives sinners. He forgives— forgives freely, but it is in connection with the atonement made by the Lord Jesus. If it was a mere debt which we owed to God, he might forgive, as this creditor did, without any equivalent. But it is crime which he forgives. He pardons as a moral governor. A parent might forgive a debt without any equivalent; but he cannot pardon an offending child without regarding his own character as a parent, the truth of his threatenings, the good order of his house, and the maintenance of his authority. So our sins against God, though they are called debts , are called so figuratively . It is not an affair of money , and God cannot forgive us without maintaining his word, the honour of his government, and law—in other words, without an atonement . It is clear that by the creditor here our Saviour meant to designate GOD, and by the debtors , sinners and the woman present. Simon, whose life had been comparatively upright, was denoted by the one that owed fifty pence ; the woman, who had been an open and shameless sinner, was represented by the one that owed five hundred . Yet neither could pay. Both must be forgiven or perish. So, however much difference there is among men, all need the pardoning mercy of God, and all, without that, must perish.

Verse 43. I suppose , &c. He saw not the point of our Lord's parable. By thus saying, therefore, he condemned himself, and prepared the way for our Lord's reproof.

{f} {rightly judged} Ps 116:16-18; 1 Co 15:9; 1 Ti 1:13-16

Verse 44. Seest thou this woman ? You see what this woman has done to me, compared with what you have done. She has shown me expressions of regard which you, in your own house, have not shown.

I entered into thine house . I came at your invitation, where I might expect all the usual rites of hospitality.

Thou gavest me no water for my feet . Among Eastern people it was customary, before eating, to wash the feet; and to do this, or to bring water for it, was one of the rites of hospitality. See Ge 18:4; Jud 19:21. The reasons for this were, that they wore sandals , which covered only the bottom of the feet, and that when they ate they reclined on couches or sofas. It became therefore necessary that the feet should be often washed.

Verse 45. Thou gavest me no kiss. The kiss was a token of affection or a common mode of salutation, and Simon had even neglected this mark or welcoming him to his house. It was often used among men as a sign of salutation. Comp. Ge 33:4; Ex 18:7; Mt 26:49.

Hath not ceased to kiss my feet . How striking the difference between the conduct of Simon and this woman! He , with all the richness of a splendid preparation, had omitted the common marks of regard and affection. She , in humility, had bowed at his feet, had watered them with tears, and had not ceased to kiss them. The most splendid entertainments do not always express the greatest welcome. There may be in such entertainments much insincerity—much seeking of popularity or some other motive; but no such motive could have operated in inducing a broken-hearted sinner to wash the Saviour's feet with tears.

Verse 46. My head with oil . The custom of pouring oil upon the head was universal among the Jews. The oil used was sweet oil or oil of olives, prepared in such a way as to give an agreeable smell. It was also used to render the hair more smooth and elegant. Ru 3:3; 2 Sa 12:20; 2 Sa 14:2; Ps 23:5.

With ointment . This ointment was a mixture of various aromatics, and was therefore far more costly and precious than the oil commonly used for anointing the head. Her conduct, compared with that of Simon, was therefore more striking. He did not give even the common oil for his head used on such occasions. She had applied to his feet a far more precious and valuable unguent. He , therefore, showed comparatively little love . She showed much .

{g} "My head" Ps 23:5.

Verse 47. Wherefore I say unto thee . As the result of this, or because she has done this; meaning by this that she had given evidence that her sins had been forgiven. The inquiry with Simon was whether it was proper for Jesus to touch her or to allow her to touch him, because she was such a sinner, Lu 7:39. Jesus said, in substance, to Simon,

"Grant that she has been as great a sinner as you affirm,

and even grant that if she had continued so it might be

improper to suffer her to touch me, yet her conduct shows

that her sins have been forgiven. She has evinced so much

love for me as to show that she is no longer such a sinner

as you suppose, and it is not, therefore, improper that she

should be suffered to come near me."

For she loved much . In our translation this would seem to be given as a reason why her sins had been forgiven—that she had loved much before they were pardoned; but this is clearly not the meaning. This would be contrary to the whole New Testament, which supposes that love succeeds , not precedes forgiveness; and which nowhere supposes that sins are forgiven because we love God. It would be also contrary to the design of the Saviour here. It was not to show why her sins had been forgiven, but to show that she had given evidence that they actually had been, and that it was proper, therefore, that she should come near to him and manifest this love. The meaning may be thus expressed:

"That her sins, so many and aggravated, have been

forgiven—that she is no longer such a sinner as you

suppose, is manifest from her conduct. She shows deep

gratitude, penitence, love. Her conduct is the

proper expression of that love. While you have

shown comparatively little evidence that you felt that

your sins were great, and comparatively little

love at their being forgiven, she has shown that

she felt hers to be great, and has loved much."

To whom little is forgiven . He who feels that little has been forgiven—that his sins were not as great as those of others. A man's love to God will be in proportion to the obligation he feels to him for forgiveness. God is to be loved for his perfections, apart from what he has done for us. But still it is proper that our love should be increased by a consideration of his goodness; and they who feel—as Christians do—that they are the chief of sinners , will feel under infinite obligation to love God and their Redeemer, and that no expression of attachment to him can be beyond what is due.

Verse 48. Thy sins are forgiven . What a gracious assurance to the weeping, loving, penitent! How that voice, spoken to the troubled sinner, stills his anguish, allays his troubled feelings, and produces peace to the soul! And how manifest is it that he that could say thus must be God! No man has a right to forgive sin. No man can speak peace to the soul, and give assurance that its transgressions are pardoned. Here, then, Jesus gave indubitable proof that he was God as well as man; that he was Lord of the conscience as well as the pitying friend; and that he was as able to read the heart and give peace there, as he was to witness the external expression of sorrow for sin.

Verse 49. Who is this , &c. A very pertinent question. Who could he be but God? Man could not do it, and there is no wonder that they were amazed.

{h} {Who is this that forgiveth sins.} Mt 9:2,3; Mr 2:7

Verse 50. Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace . See Barnes on "Mr 5:34" .

{i} "Thy faith" Hab 2:4; Mt 9:22; Mr 5:34; 10:52; Lu 8:48; 18:42; Eph 2:8