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Luke7

World English Bible · Public Domain

1After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.

3When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.

4When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him,

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

6Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.

7Therefore I didn’t 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 under myself soldiers. I tell this 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 and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.”

10Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.

11Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.

12Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only born son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.

13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Don’t cry.”

14He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”

15He who was dead sat up and began to speak. Then he gave him to his mother.

16Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!”

17This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

18The disciples of John told him about all these things.

19John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?”

20When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”

21In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.

22Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

23Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”

24When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about 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 clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed and live delicately are in kings’ courts.

26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much 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.’

28“For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.”

29When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism.

30But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.

31“To what then should I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?

32They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’

33For John the Baptizer 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, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

35Wisdom is justified by all her children.”

36One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table.

37Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.

38Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”

40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say on.”

41“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”

43Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”

44Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.

45You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.

46You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

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

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

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

50He 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