Luke 7NKJV
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Luke7

New King James Version

1Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.

2And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.

3So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.

4And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving,

5“for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

6Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.

7Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

10And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

11Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.

12And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.

13When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

14Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”

15So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

16Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”

17And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

18Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.

19And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

20When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ”

21And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

22Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

23And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

24When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

25But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.

26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

27This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’

28For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

31And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?

32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’

33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’

34The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

35But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

36Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.

37And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,

38and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

40And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

41“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

43Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”

44Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.

45You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.

46You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.

47Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

48Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 7.

Full AI study →

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.

Cross References

Luke 7
v1Matthew 8:5-13thematic

The direct parallel account of the healing of the Centurion's servant in Capernaum.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v18Matthew 11:2-6thematic

Parallel account of John the Baptist sending his disciples to question Jesus from prison.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v31Matthew 11:16-19thematic

The exact parallel parable of the children in the marketplace and the contrasting ministries.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v22Isaiah 35:5fulfillment

Prophetic description of the blind seeing and deaf hearing, which Jesus points to as proof.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v27Malachi 3:1fulfillment

Direct prophecy of the messenger sent to prepare the way, cited by Jesus of John.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v151 Kings 17:23typology

Elijah raising the widow's son and delivering him to his mother, echoing Jesus' actions.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v152 Kings 4:32-37typology

Elisha raising the Shunammite's son, matching the prophetic visitation theme in Luke 7:16.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v22Isaiah 61:1-3fulfillment

Messianic prophecy of preaching the gospel to the poor, fulfilled in Jesus' ministry.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v37John 12:3thematic

Another instance of anointing with costly ointment, showing similar devotion and cultural practice.

Supported by JFB

v16Luke 1:68thematic

Echoes the prophetic theme of Zacharias' song that God has visited His people.

Supported by JFB

v29Matthew 21:32thematic

Contrasts the publicans believing John's ministry with the self-righteous rejection by religious leaders.

Supported by JFB

v41Matthew 18:24thematic

Similar parabolic use of monetary debt to illustrate the vastness of spiritual transgression.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v48Luke 5:20thematic

Jesus exercising His divine authority to declare sins forgiven, sparking similar internal controversy.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v44Genesis 18:4thematic

Demonstrates the ancient Near Eastern custom of offering water to wash guests' feet.

Supported by JFB

v46Psalms 23:5thematic

Illustrates the traditional cultural hospitality of anointing the head with oil.

Supported by Matthew Henry