Luke 7

Review and Introduction

The Centurion’s Slave Healed

Luke 7:1–10 KJV

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. 3 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. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. 6 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 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 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. 9 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. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Parallel id Matthew 8:5-13; Luke is not focusing on the miracle but on the attitude of the centurion

centurion commanded a century of troops (at least 100, could be multiple 100s). Know for their bravery in battle, were held in high esteem in the army and were well paid since in battle they literally lined up at the tip of the spear (front spot, longest line) and experienced extremely high casualty rates

other places Luke might call him a “God fearer”, a Gentile that doesn’t fully identify with Israel but supported the Jews

the centurion's doulos (slave) sick unto death and he hears the famed healer is in town so he sends to ask Jesus if He would heal his slave. When Jesus went with them, the centurion sends friends to stop Him because he and his slave weren’t important enough for Jesus to defile Himself by coming in his house and didn’t even think he was important enough for Jesus to listen to if he went to him.

but we see the centurion’s faith: “say in a word”

This guy, not even a Jew, recognizes Jesus’ authority and power. Not even part of the nation of Israel, and has understood more than them, AND US MANY TIMES, what the write of Hebrews tells us Jesus is the one: Hebrews 1:3 “3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power”

Jesus “marvelled” at him. Jesus showed His admiration and respect for the faith of the centurion and commends him to all around them for it and points it out as a faith that everybody, especially in Israel, ought to show

The Widow at Nain’ Son Raised

Luke 7:11–17 KJV

11 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. 12 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. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 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. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

the condition of this widow was more than just full of grief at the loss of her son, as a widow her son was her only way to be taken care of. Not only losing her child, but now having no clue where her next meals and shelter were coming from

And Jesus tells her “don’t cry”? Imagine all the people carrying the bier, or the wooden frame they carried the dead on to burial hearing that. I would have thought “What do you mean don’t cry?, How can she not?”

But Jesus has gone to her, He has shown her compassion where she was without her having to do anything else. Without her needing to even so much as ask or pray, Jesus has brought this guy from death to life

and the man sits up and starts to speak...If I was on the corner holding that thing, I hope Jesus fixed the guys feet too, for him to land on as I drop that thing in our tracks

vs 16: “God hath visited his people”. All around realized by grace given to them from God and the site of this miracle, the authority of Jesus over death and the grave and see who He is:

God who has visited His people: Luke 1:67–69 “67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;”

but they also fear, because it’s the visitation of God the Son and the rejection of Him that leads to judgement: Luke 19:41–44 “41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”

Questions from John the Baptist

Luke 7:18–23 KJV

18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. 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? 20 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? 21 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. 22 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. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

The disciples were sent because John the Baptist was asking if Jesus was “the one that should come”?

Modern people are bad about psychologizing the people in the Bible: “John’s question reveals his crisis of faith and emotional breakdown under the stress of imprisonment. He is experiencing cognitive dissonance, having confidently proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, but now his expectations aren't being met. creating psychological trauma for John.”

Luke’s purpose isn’t to encourage us to imagine what’s motivating John to ask the question and us come up with reasons of modern psychology of why he now doubts what the Gospel of John records he says: John 1:29 “29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Jesus answers the disciple of John the Baptist then answers any of us that are doubting John’s faith

Luke 7:24–35 KJV

24 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? 25 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. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 28 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. 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 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. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 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! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

Jesus asks them “what were you expecting from John the Baptist”?

He goes on to proclaim in vs 28 Luke 7:28 “28 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.”

Not a greater prophet than John the Baptist, but from this point on, from the new thing I’ll do in front of you and for you; none of the prophets that gave a PROMISE of hope, even the greatest will be greater than the least one that puts their faith in the work I will do and becomes a part in truth not just in promise of the Kingdom of God!

As for all that rejected John the Baptist, they rejected God himself.

Jesus then tells them the Pharisees are acting like a bunch of whiny kids. Determined to not be happy with anything they seen in Jesus. They said John, preaching abstinence was from the devil and now they say Jesus who shows grace is a drunk and from the devil.

but true wisdom is shown by action: James 2:14–17 “14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

Luke 7:36–39 KJV

36 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. 37 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, 38 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. 39 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.

Theres a chance this was an open dinner, maybe for generosity or maybe so the pharisee could show off his status and wealth. But even open, he would have been shocked a prostitute came in at all, let alone crying and anointing this “gluttonous winebibber’s” feet.

The pharisee figures he’s seen all he needs to, if this guy were from God, there’s no way he lets this shameless woman touch him!

Luke 7:40–50 KJV

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 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. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 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. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Jesus answers him with a parable comparing the forgiveness of sins to the forgiveness of debt.

think in terms of 2 people buying cars. One owed 3 more payments and the other had only made 3. Imagine the dealer tells both of them not to worry about it, both are paid off.

The debtor has no bargaining position; only grace allows the debt to be removed. So which debtor has the greater love?

Simon thinks he has no sins and the harlot KNOWS who she was and all she’s done

This woman, knowing how much God forgave, loved him with all her heart and soul and Jesus accepts her showing of love by the anointing; Simon, not even realizing he needed forgiveness, didn’t even respect him enough to wash the filth off his feet when he came in

Conclusion

Chapter 7 shows a example after example of the faith people put in Jesus

Also shows us the hardness of heart and self righteousness that keeps someone from doing so