Luke 7

Luke 7 introduces several key events that highlight Jesus' power, compassion, and authority. This chapter includes the healing of a centurion’s servant, the raising of a widow’s son, Jesus' response to John the Baptist’s questions, and the parable of the two debtors. These stories illustrate Jesus’ care for people from different backgrounds, his authority over life and death, and the importance of recognizing his identity and mission.

Luke 7:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.
2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die.
3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.
4 And 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.”
6 Then 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.
7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8 For 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.”
9 When 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!”
10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

In this passage, the centurion’s decision not to come directly to Jesus reflects his humility and understanding of cultural dynamics. As a Gentile, he likely recognized that Jews often viewed Gentiles as outsiders, and he respected Jesus’ position as a Jewish teacher, not wanting to risk causing offense or imposing on Him. Instead, he sent respected Jewish elders and friends to intercede on his behalf. This contrasts with Matthew 8:5-13, where the centurion is portrayed as coming directly to Jesus. This difference aligns with the law of agency, where actions done through intermediaries are attributed to the principal. Similar to Jesus being credited with “finding” a colt (John 12:14) that His disciples retrieved (Luke 19:30), Matthew simplifies the account to emphasize the centurion’s faith, which Jesus praised as unparalleled in Israel.

Luke 7:11-17 (NKJV)
11 Now 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.
12 And 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.
13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

Jesus’ compassion is evident as he encounters a widow mourning her only son. In a society where widows were often vulnerable, this loss meant severe hardship. Jesus, moved by compassion, touches the coffin—a gesture that defied Jewish purity laws—and commands the young man to rise. This act not only restores the son to life but also the mother’s stability and hope. The crowd witnesses this miracle, and their response is to praise God, recognizing Jesus as a great prophet and feeling that God has indeed visited His people.

Luke 7:18-23 (NKJV)
18 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.
19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”
20 When 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?’”
21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
22 Jesus 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.
23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

John the Baptist, from prison, sends disciples to confirm if Jesus is the Messiah. In response, Jesus performs several miracles, demonstrating his authority and compassion. He instructs them to report these acts back to John, aligning them with messianic prophecies from Isaiah. Jesus affirms his identity subtly, encouraging faith even without explicit claims. His words highlight a call to trust in his mission and not be offended by the unexpected ways he fulfills prophecy.

Luke 7:24-30 (NKJV)
24 When 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?
25 But 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.
26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
27 This 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 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.”
29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.
30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

Jesus praises John as a prophet and more, the one foretold to prepare the way for the Messiah. Though John holds a unique and exalted role, Jesus points out that those who accept the kingdom of God have even greater spiritual status. The crowd, including marginalized people, acknowledges God’s justice in John’s message and baptism, while the Pharisees and experts in the law reject God’s will, resisting John's call to repentance. Jesus contrasts open hearts with the prideful refusal to accept God's work.

Luke 7:31-35 (NKJV)
31 And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like?
32 They 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.’
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Here, Jesus compares the current generation to children who cannot be pleased. They reject both John and Jesus, despite their different approaches. John’s ascetic lifestyle leads them to label him as demon-possessed, while Jesus’ social engagement causes them to call him a glutton and friend of sinners. This critique shows their hard-heartedness and unwillingness to accept God’s messengers, regardless of style. Jesus concludes by stating that wisdom is proven right by her children, meaning that God’s works and outcomes validate true wisdom.

Luke 7:36-39 (NKJV)
36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.
37 And 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,
38 and 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.
39 Now 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.”

A Pharisee named Simon invites Jesus to his house for a meal. During the meal, a woman known as a sinner approaches Jesus, washing his feet with her tears, drying them with her hair, and anointing them with expensive oil. Simon, the Pharisee, judges both Jesus and the woman, questioning Jesus’ prophetic insight for allowing her to touch him. This scene sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the depth of his forgiveness and to challenge Simon’s judgmental attitude toward the woman.

Luke 7:40-43 (NKJV)
40 And 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.
42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”

Jesus responds to Simon’s judgment with a parable about two debtors who owed different amounts but were both forgiven. When asked who would love the creditor more, Simon correctly answers that the one forgiven the larger debt would have greater love. Through this parable, Jesus introduces the idea that love and gratitude are often proportional to one’s sense of forgiveness received, challenging Simon’s view of the woman as a sinner beyond redemption.

Luke 7:44-50 (NKJV)
44 Then 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.
45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.
46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.
47 Therefore 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.”
48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Jesus contrasts the hospitality Simon failed to show with the woman’s abundant acts of love and humility. Her actions reflect deep gratitude, symbolizing her recognition of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins. Jesus acknowledges her many sins but states that her great love shows her awareness of forgiveness. By forgiving her openly, he reveals his authority and grace, causing others to question his identity. Jesus’ final words, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace,” emphasize that salvation comes through faith, and he sends her away with peace, affirming her restoration.