People's New Testament Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 7:1 The Widow's Son Raised from the Dead
SUMMARY OF LUKE 7: The Centurion's Servant Healed. The Son on the Widow of Nain Raised. John's Message and the Reply. The Greatness of John the Baptist. The Banquet at the House of a Pharisee. The Woman That Was a Sinner. The Rebuke of Simon. The Woman Saved by Faith. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
Then 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 enter under my roof: 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. 7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 7:11 He went into a city. The raising of the son of the widow of Nain is only recorded by Luke.
Nain. A village on the northwest slope of Little Hermon, about twenty-five miles south of Capernaum. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 7:12 Came nigh to the gate. Like most Oriental towns it had walls and a gate. Just outside of the gate he met the funeral procession. The dead were always carried out of a Jewish city for burial.
A dead man carried out. On a bier, the body covered by a cloth, but not in a coffin. The only son. Such a loss to a Jewish widow would be too great for consolation. See Jer 6:26 Am 8:10 Zec 12:10. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 7:13 Had compassion. Sorrow or need always touched his loving heart.
Weep not. How often he has dried up the fountains of sorrow. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 7:14 Touched the bier. As a signal to stop. There was an authority in not only the words but the acts of the Lord which compelled obedience.
Arise. This is the first time he spoke these words to the dead. It must have been to his disciples and the multitude a moment of suspense and wonder. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 7:15 Sat up. As the daughter of Jairus, and Lazarus, so the widow's son at once obeyed, arose and spoke. The Lord finished his work by taking him by the hand and presenting him to his mother. Language is too feeble to express her joy.
And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 7:16 Came a fear. A sense of awe.
A great prophet. Not even the apostles had yet confessed him as the Christ. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. 7:17 Throughout all Judaea. The story seems even to have reached John in prison, east of the Dead Sea.
And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
But wisdom is justified of all her children. 7:18-33 The disciples of John. For notes on John's message, Christ's reply, and discourses about John, see Mt 11:2-19.
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 7:36 One of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. This anointing is a different one from that recorded in Mt 26:7 and elsewhere. The breach between Jesus and the Pharisees was not yet so great as to prevent intercourse. Jesus accepted invitations of Pharisee and publican alike, with the like purpose of instruction in righteousness. We must imagine the guests arriving; Simon receiving them with all courtesy, and embracing each in turn; slaves ready to wash the dust of the road from their sandaled feet, and to pour sweet olive oil over their heads to soften the parched skin. See Ge 18:4 19:02 24:32:00 Ru 3:3 1Sa 25:41 Ps 23:5 141:05:00 Ec 9:8 Da 10:3 Am 6:6 Mt 6:17. But there is one of the guests thus not treated. He is but a poor man, invited as an act of condescending patronage. No kiss is offered him; no slave waits upon him; of course a mechanic cannot need the luxuries others are accustomed to.
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 7:37 A woman... a sinner. Evidently an outcast woman.
When she knew. She had them heard before of his compassion and tender mercy. She had learned to believe that there was mercy even for her, for whom earth had no mercy. Brought. How could she enter into the banquet chamber? Kitto says: There were always many people hanging about the court and the outer parts of the guest chamber, which was wholly open in front. A door is a great hindrance to admission into a room, and where that does not exist people easily slip in.'' And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 7:38 Stood at his feet behind him. The Jews reclined at table, leaning upon the left elbow, with feet stretched out behind.
With tears. Heart-broken, with a sense of sin and a hope of mercy, her tears fell upon his feet. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 7:39 When the Pharisee... saw it. He wondered that Jesus did not spurn her.
He spake within himself. The Pharisee mentally put the Lord into this dilemma--either he does not know the true character of this woman, in which case he lacks discernment of spirits which pertains to every true prophet, or, if he knows it, and yet endures her touch, he is lacking in that holiness which is also the mark of a prophet of God. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 7:40 Jesus answering. To the unspoken thought.
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 7:41 Five hundred pence. About seventy dollars.
Fifty. About seven dollars. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 7:42 Had nothing to pay. The small debtor was as helpless as others. We are all insolvent.
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 7:43 To whom he forgave most. Forgiveness is the only hope of sinners. There is a peculiar gratitude which the restored wanderer realizes, to which the one who has grown up in rectitude must be a stranger. Both may love with all the heart, yet their love will not possess precisely the same characteristics.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 7:44-46 I entered into thine house. How strong the contrast between the indifference of the Pharisees and the earnestness of the penitent! He withheld water; she gave precious tears, the blood of her heart, says Augustine. He gave no kiss to his cheek; she covered his feet with kisses. He grudged even a drop of oil; she broke the box of rare ointment for her Lord. He treated him with despite as an underling; she adored him as a prince. The water for the feet, the kiss and the oil for the head were ordinary Oriental courtesies.
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 7:44-46 I entered into thine house. How strong the contrast between the indifference of the Pharisees and the earnestness of the penitent! He withheld water; she gave precious tears, the blood of her heart, says Augustine. He gave no kiss to his cheek; she covered his feet with kisses. He grudged even a drop of oil; she broke the box of rare ointment for her Lord. He treated him with despite as an underling; she adored him as a prince. The water for the feet, the kiss and the oil for the head were ordinary Oriental courtesies.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 7:44-46 I entered into thine house. How strong the contrast between the indifference of the Pharisees and the earnestness of the penitent! He withheld water; she gave precious tears, the blood of her heart, says Augustine. He gave no kiss to his cheek; she covered his feet with kisses. He grudged even a drop of oil; she broke the box of rare ointment for her Lord. He treated him with despite as an underling; she adored him as a prince. The water for the feet, the kiss and the oil for the head were ordinary Oriental courtesies.
Wherefore 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. 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee. This woman, a great sinner, shows that she is forgiven by her great love. Her faith in Jesus led her to trust for forgiveness.
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 7:48 Thy sins are forgiven. The fact which her trust led her to believe and which filled her soul with love is now announced.
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. 7:50 Thy faith hath saved thee. Her faith brought her to the feet of Christ, a contrite and weeping sinner. Go in peace. All her tokens of penitence and affection could not, even in the eyes of sinful men, wash away the stain of her life, but the grace of Christ led her to true peace, as her abiding condition (Schaff). The People's New Testament by B.W. Johnson [1891] Bible Hub |
    |