Luke is trying to give us a concise report of those things that he witnessed in person, while being with our Lord, and become a disciple of the Lord's ways.

Luke 7:1 "Now when He had ended all His sayings in the audience of the people, He entered into Capernaum."

Jesus is now going into the city of Capernaum. "Capernaum" comes from the word "Consolation".

Luke 7:2 "And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die."

The "Centurion" was an officer in the Roman army that had from one hundred to eight hundred men under him. This Centurion soldier knew what authority was, and he witnessed it daily in his life. His men followed his authority and orders, and he took his orders from those in government over him. In most cases, their servants didn't matter much to these men in authority, but this servant was very dear to this military man of authority. This tells us that this man has compassion. This compassionate Centurion has gone to the city of consolation to seek help for his servant.

Luke 7:3 "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."

This Centurion had heard of the work and healing of Jesus, and he believed that Jesus could heal his servant. There was no doubt in his mind. Notice that with his authority, this Centurion sent, one of the elders of the Jews, to seek Jesus out and bring Him to this Centurion. We are seeing a man of faith here.

Luke 7:4 "And when they came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this:"

So when these elders of Judea came to Jesus, they told Jesus that this Roman Centurion was worthy to receive this favor from Jesus. This Centurion was a just man, even in the eyes of the Jews.

Luke 7:5 "For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue."

This Roman Centurion loved Israel, and he himself build this synagogue for the people. Now we see that there was faith in God in this man's heart, and he loved the people that worshipped God.

Luke 7:6 "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:"

When Jesus heard of this man, He was willing to go to this Centurion, and heal his servant. As Jesus was coming near to the house the centurion send friends to Jesus and told him that is was not necessary for Him to come in the house. This man was a humble man and did not feel worthy to have Jesus even enter into his house. He knew that Jesus was the Supreme authority, from God, and that all he had to do was say the word and his servant would be healed. To a Christian, we know that Jesus is the Authority of all the universe.

Luke 7:7 "Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed."

This Centurion in his humility did not think himself worthy to even be in the presence of Jesus. There was no doubt in his request to Jesus; "Say the word and my servant SHALL BE HEALED."

Luke 7:8 "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.' "

Notice how this Centurion words it here. "I am a man under authority." He knows that for him to have authority to those under him, he also must have the same respect for the authority in the ranks over him. Just as his men are obedient to him, he must also be obedient as they are to his ranking officers and officials. This man knows how authority works; one gives the orders and the one receiving the orders acts in obedience to the instructions given. When I give a command, those orders are carried out.

Luke 7:9 "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."

Jesus heard what these friends of this centurion told him, and marveled at the faith and humility of this centurion. When Jesus heard what was said, He told those standing there with him. I can't find such faith in all Israel amongst My people.

Luke 7:10 "And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick."

Luke was a medical doctor, and this word of "whole", means of sound health. The sickness was gone instantly, by the time it took to enter back into the house. the servant was healed and this need was over.

Luke 7:11 "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."

This is the next day following the healing of the Roman Centurion's servant. Jesus and some of his disciples went to this city of "Nain" or "Beauty". Many other people were also following Jesus by this time. Nain was just west on Endor and very close. Endor was the place years before where Saul sought the help of the wicked witch of Endor; to call up the familiar spirit presenting himself as Samuel to seek his advise. Samuel was the prophet that anointed Saul king, and had given him advice, only Samuel had died. Keep this in mind as we read on here.

Luke 7:12 "And 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."

The cemetery was outside the city walls, and there was a funeral going on, as Jesus and his disciples were entering the city. As Jesus was entering the city, He saw this widow weeping, and her many friends that were with her. The people told Jesus how precious this widow woman was and that her only son had just died.

Luke 7:13 "And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said unto her, "Weep not."

Keep in mind, Jesus had just come from the city of consolation, Capernaum and healed this servant. This same compassion that Jesus had in the faith of the Roman Centurion, Jesus now has for this widow woman. Notice that the widow did not ask Jesus for what she was about to receive. No; the healing for her son was not requested.

Luke 7:14 "And He came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say unto thee, Arise."

When Jesus heard of the kindness this woman, He came near and touched the coffin that held her dead son. No, he did not touch the dead body, for that would have violated the law. As the Supreme priest, that would have made Him unclean. Jesus was not unclean, as only the bier was touched. Jesus compassion on the widow woman cause Jesus to raise the young man back to life.

Remember some thousand years prior, King Saul came to this same location, and asked a witch that the dead be raised also. Samuel was dead, and Saul wanted Samuel back to life. Saul went to the devil to have Samuel raised, while this widow woman in all her innocense would have her son raised because of Jesus' compassion on her. No, Samuel didn't come to Saul and give instruction, but an evil spirit itself. One thing is for certain though, and that is Israel itself was a widow at this time, as God had divorced her, as it is written in Jeremiah 3:8, 9.

Keep in mind that nobody raises someone from a physical biological death, unless it is God our heavenly Father. So Christ is setting Himself up as the Divine authority of God to raise a person from the dead.

Luke 7:15 "And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother."

You know that this got the attention of the entire crowd. Here they were in tears heading to the cemetery, and the dead man sits up and starts talking to them. In that every thing that Jesus said and did was for a purpose. He did not just go around healing everybody, but when He did heal someone there was a lesson to be learned. The lesson here is that Jesus takes compassion on those He feels worthy. No, faith was not present, as the widow never asked anything of our Lord, but Jesus knew the thoughts in her mind and heart and it touched Him. She had no husband and this son was all that she had. Jesus showed those with Him that He was the Son of God, and could give life.

Luke 7:16 "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."

When this man sat up and spoke, the people gave reverence and praised God for this young man's life. They were there, saw Jesus touch the bier, and ask the man to rise, and he came to life. Their was no doubt in their minds that God was in their presence: the dead had come to life.

Luke 7:17 "And this rumour of Him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about."

This was news and would be told all over the region. Jesus had raised the dead, and there were many witnesses there to tell the story, including Luke.

Luke 7:18 "And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things."

When the news of Jesus raising this widow woman's son from the dead, it was passed by John the Baptist's disciples sitting there in prison. Remember that John the Baptist had scorned Herod for taking his brother's wife for his own wife, and many other evils, Herod put John the Baptist in prison.

Luke 7:19 "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?"

Many people get mixed up over this verse. Stop and think for a moment, Jesus was the cousin of John the Baptist by their mother's Mary and Elisabeth, they were of the same family. Quite obviously the family knew of all the visits by the angel Gabriel to Mary, Joseph and Zacharias. "Unto us is born in the city of David a Savior... and His name shall be Immanuel" and so on. Elizabeth didn't have to ask if Mary was pregnant, for when she entered the room, the Holy Spirit told her Christ was in the womb. So what is John asking of Jesus through these two disciples? John did not have to ask, are you the Messiah? The question is not are you the Messiah, but is this Your only coming or shall is their another also?

In that John the Baptist was a true prophet, and a teacher from God, he knew the Scripture. So what John is asking is; "Is this the advent, or are we looking for another advent." Another coming of the Messiah. John wanted to know if there were two advents of His coming or just one. John had no doubt that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, Immanuel; God with us.

Luke 7:20 "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?' "

Is their one advent or two advents? that was the question.

Luke 7:21 "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."

Notice that Luke the medical doctor spells out the difference between infirmities and sickness; and that of evil spirit possession. We should be aware of when evil spirits are present, for God gave us control over evil spirits, to order them out of our lives.

Luke 7:22 "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, and dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."

Jesus is telling John the Baptist's two disciples to return to John in prison and let him know those things that you have witnessed here.

Luke 7:23 "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me."

You are in jail John; don't be ashamed of Me. You are in jail for teaching the truth of Me, and your disciple have witnessed all these things that I have done.

Luke 7:24 "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 in the wind? "

After the two disciples of John had left, Jesus asked those that were left with Him. Why did you go out there in the wilderness? What did you expect to see? Did you expect to see some reed shaken in the wind? When you saw John out there in the wilderness, did you expect to hear one thing one time, and something different later? No way! John the Baptist was focused on his message, and that message was the Word of God. John did not sway one bit, but held to the truth.

Luke 7:25 "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."

When you saw John in person out there in the country you saw a man dressed in camel skin living in the wilderness. If you wanted to see someone in rich apparel and living high, you would have had to go to the king's court. The king and his court are very sharp in their dressing and attending to detail.

Luke 7:26 "But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet."

Now Jesus is telling these people that when they saw John they saw more than just a prophet.

Luke 7:27 "This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee.' "

We are told in Malachi 3:1; "Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts." John the Baptist is the messenger spoken of here.

Of course Jesus is also referring to Malachi 4:5, the "spirit of Elijah". Remember from verse 22, what Jesus told the two disciples of John to tell him; then He named those things and events from Isaiah 29:18; 35:1-4, and 60:1-3 that the Messiah would do, and Jesus had these disciples as the witnesses that Jesus was doing them. John knew the Scriptures, and in this way, he knew Jesus was right on schedule for the first advent or coming.

Isaiah 29:18 "And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness."

Of course some of these things that are spoken of in these passages are about the second advent. However John knew that the first advent was going on while he was sitting there in the prison. Jesus sent a message to John and it was based on the written Word. John knew that written Word of God, and it had both a spiritual meaning as well as the obvious meaning of the words. That was the message, for when you understand these verses given here, you know there will be another advent. Sure the first works of Messiah had come, but that day of vengeance that is talked about in Scriptures will be in a period far off. We know that Daniel set the gap for the time span between the two advents in Daniel 9:24-27; between the 69th and the 70th weeks of years. John wanted to know the truth, and his knowledge of the Scripture allowed him to know exactly what Jesus was trying to tell him. John was a prophet and a scholar, and the best in both fields. John was anointed and named by God Himself, the last prophet before the coming Messiah.

However God promised that just before that great and terrible day of the Lord, God would send Elijah the prophet, for the purpose of turning the hearts of the people back to the fathers, plural, there are two fathers, just as there are two christs. Jesus Christ the true Messiah; and Satan coming as the false christ. The real truth of God's word will either turn your heart to Jesus Christ, or in ignorance you will worship the false Christ Satan. If you are set in your traditions and looking for a rapture, then you are looking for the first christ to come and you will be taken by the false christ. It's your choice, as to whether you have read the letter from God to his people or not. If not you will be as "the reed shaken in the wind" that Jesus was talking about earlier. So Jesus told John to go to the Scripture and read and you will see that there will be another advent.

Luke 7:28 "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."

Jesus is telling these people that John the Baptist is the greatest prophet of all times, yet even so, while in the flesh even he does not measure up to the least that have entered into the kingdom of God. Why? While we are in the flesh, we will have shortcomings, for we all have our flesh nature while living in the flesh. While we are in the flesh we are below the angels.

Editror's Note: Who are the angels? They are us! 

Live Link to- #4001   Letter from Suzie (The angel is one of us!)
Live Link to-#1035    "The Angel Is One of Us!!!!"

Luke 7:29 "And all the people that heard Him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John."

All of the people there that heard John preach, tax collectors included, declared God to be just, and had submitted themselves to baptism by John. Even Jesus came to be baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan.

Luke 7:30 "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him."

Notice that the Pharisees and lawyers had harden hearts and rejected the baptism of John. These Pharisees are the Scripture lawyers that rejected God's counsel, and these men do the same today as they did in Jesus day. However when the light of God's love shines in one of their hearts to where there is belief and repentance, that Pharisee can change in to a good teacher. A Scripture lawyer is usually pretty sharp in the Scripture, only he uses his knowledge in a religious sense rather than a spiritual sense. When God's Spirit touches a persons heart, there is a a change.

Luke 7:31 "And the Lord said, "Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?"

Jesus is still talking to these people with His disciples present, and He is asking them what can we liken the men of that generation to.

Luke 7:32 "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.' "

So lets try to understand what Jesus is trying to say, from the Greek. Picture a bunch of kids playing in the street. These little kids wanted to play wedding, but there is much confusion. We played the wedding music, but you wouldn't dance. Then we wanted to play funeral, but you wouldn't weep. They are just too dumb and confused to know what to do, for they don't know which way the wind is blowing. There is no order in the groups minds.

Luke 7:33 "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, `He hath a devil.' "

Jesus is now pointing out what He is talking about. When John the Baptist came eating neither bread nor wine, these Pharisees and Scripture lawyers said he had a devil. You see, John took the vow of a Nazarite, and he lived the life of a prophet that he swore to. His Message to the people was repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. John alerted the people that the Messiah was in their midst, yet John knew the Kenites for what they were and told them to their face.

Luke 7:34 "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!"

Jesus continued talking about these Pharisees and Scripture lawyers, only now the subject shifts from their attention of John the Baptist, to Jesus Himself. However, when the Son of man came eating and drinking with the publicans and sinners, you called him a gluttonous man and a winebibber.

Luke 7:35 "But wisdom is justified of all her children."

Wisdom is vindicated by all the children of wisdom. Wisdom has no ignorant children. All the children are wise that know and have the truth of God's Word sealed in their minds. These Pharisees went out to hear John the Baptist preach, for his messages were drawing the people in from all over the land. It was stirring messages. Just when these people were getting one thing straight, here came Jesus along, doing just the opposite that John was doing. Jesus would even sit and eat and drink with these sinners. The religious community was so busy trying to play their games in the streets, they thought they had it all figured out from John, and here comes Jesus. Why, these self-righteous Pharisees were not about to get close to a sinner.

If God sent His Son to the sinners to save them, then what on earth is this religious community doing to reach the sinners? Sure their doors are open, but no sinner wants to come into such a place of self-righteous people. The minds of people are no different today than in Jesus day. Who wants to put themselves into a situation to be talked down to, and made fun of.

These Pharisees are even afraid to touch one of these sinners. These Pharisees are presenting themselves as fishermen, but they don't know how to fish. They are trying to play games without knowing the rules. They are completely out of sync with what is happening here. Through the entire Old Testament, the only reason for God sending his Son to earth to live and become a sacrifice was to save sinners. The purpose was to make sinners become hearers of the Word, and doers of the Word. Jesus is telling us to be aware of any religious community that feels it is too good to go around sinners.

Luke 7:36 "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."

This starts a new thought with the same subject. Pharisees were well trained in the Scriptures, and generally tried to live by all the instructions of the law. They knew of a coming Messiah, as prophesied by the prophets.

Luke 7:37 "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,"

The woman spoken of here in this verse was not Mary Magdalene, but she was a sinner, and she repented and loved the Lord. When she heard that Jesus was in town and at the house of this Pharisee, she bought this box of very expensive ointment. The purpose of an alabaster box was for anointing. There are other times of women anointing Jesus with an alabaster box of ointment.

Luke 7:38 "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."

It is obvious that this woman just loved the Lord, and being in Jesus presence, the tears flowed with joy. Sinner or not, this woman loved God, and felt His presence through the Son, Jesus the Christ.

Luke 7:39 "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."

This Pharisee that had invited Jesus to dinner, sat at the table watching this sinner woman weeping, and this is the thought that ran through his mind. He is not speaking it by thinking it. This Pharisee was so impressed with Jesus that he had Him over to dinner, yet as they sat there, he was having second thoughts about Jesus. He was thinking, "If Jesus was a prophet of God, He surely would have known the manner of this sinner woman, and not allowed her to touch Him." This Pharisee still has not figured out yet that Christ came into the world to save sinners. This Pharisee in all his self-righteousness was probably the biggest sinner in the room. This man's religion and traditions is getting in the way of his fellowship with God. This woman was not fit to take communion in most churches today, by the standards they have set for the congregation. Self-righteous hypocrites love to judge and condemn other people, and God is going to use their standard to cut them down. Jesus knew exactly what the Pharisee was thinking, and He said to the Pharisee.

Luke 7:40 "And Jesus answering said unto him, "Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee." "And he saith, "Master, say on."

Some say that this is Simon the leper, yet I doubt it, because there the woman anointed Jesus' head, and here the woman anointed Jesus feet. Meaning it wasn't time to anoint Jesus for His burial yet. This was the start of Jesus ministry. This Pharisee is not going to like what Jesus is about to say to him.

Luke 7:41 "There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty."

Luke 7:42 "And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell Me therefore, which of them will love him most?"

Each of these men or debtors owed this certain creditor a debt. One of them owed five and the other fifty pence. If the creditor forgave both their debts, Which would have the greatest love for that creditor? Jesus wanted to prove a point to Simon.

Luke 7:43 "Simon answered and said, "I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most." And He said unto him, "Thou hast rightly judged."

You have answered correctly Simon. So Jesus turns to this woman and looked right at her and said to Simon.

Luke 7:44 "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."

Simon, take a good look at this poor sinner woman. There she is with tears flowing down here face. Then Jesus spoke. Simon, I entered into your house, and you didn't even give me water for My feet: but she washed My feet with her own tears, and wiped them with her hair. We aren't in her house, but yours Simon. This Pharisee didn't even give Jesus the customary greetings that strangers get for that day. When you enter a man's house, you take off the sandals, and wash the feet of the guest. Simon failed to do any of that. Old Simon is to busy judging other people.

Remember in I Corinthians 11:10; "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels." The Greek says "keep a vail on her head", in reverence to her hair. The vail should be the Lord Jesus Christ; that protects her in the end times when the fallen angels are cast out onto the earth. This sinner woman is taking the same vail or protection on her head and washing the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ, that will protect her.

Luke 7:45 "Thou gavest Me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss My feet."

Luke 7:46 "My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed My feet with ointment."

As self-righteous that you are, Simon, you didn't offer Me any of those things that are proper for one showing love for Me. You didn't do any of it to Me. Jesus was Messiah, and Simon had witnessed the fact through the healings, and even raising the young man from the dead. This woman gave all she had to anoint my feet with oil.

Luke 7:47 "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."

This woman didn't ask for forgiveness, but Jesus gave it to her because of her love for him. But in all your self-righteousness, you gave so little to me, and this shows how little of love you have for Me.

Luke 7:48 "And He said unto her, "Thy sins are forgiven."

Simon sat there as Jesus forgave this woman that had just anointed Jesus with her ointment and love. Simon is wandering how this sinner got into my house in the first place. Not much difference between this Simon, and the Simon of Acts, Simon the sorcerer. The man that wanted to buy the Holy Spirit for the sake of his business of making money. Our Love for our Lord can bring about the forgiveness for sin. Love is the strongest force in the world, for it demands loyalty, and the obedience to commitment. It can bind nations, and see you through the hardest times. Love is not puffed up, nor selfish, but genuine.

Luke 7:49 "And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves, "Who is This That forgiveth sins also?"

The biggest shock of all to Simon and the other Pharisees that were there eating with Jesus, came when Jesus said; "Thy sins are forgiven thee." Even these crusty self-righteous Pharisees knew that only God can forgive sins. Jesus was declaring Himself to be God through that statement. They are all thinking the same thing.

Luke 7:50 "And He said to the woman, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

This shows us a personal relationship between this woman and the Lord Jesus Christ. As we go through the book of Luke, we will see him present Christ as the friend of sinners. Eating with them, and carrying for their needs, as the friend of the common person. So Luke has painted a picture for us in comparison between this repentive sinning woman, and this high-minded self-righteous hypocrite Pharisee called Simon. God wants you to know that the biggest sinner in Simon's house was not the sinner woman, but Simon himself. When Simon was seeking the truth with this invitation to Jesus to come and dine with him, his mind was closed by his tradition and religion to receive the truth and forgiveness when it was right before him.

The problem with self-righteousness, is that that person is trying to use their own words and deeds to get them into heaven. They are creating another way to God, other then the way that God has provided for them through His only Begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. Simon is still trying to work out his own salvation by His works and position in the community, rather than under the love of Christ. If you believe that your righteousness is earning you one step into heaven, outside the blood of Christ, you are in the same boat that Simon is it, and that boat will sink. Self-righteousness is heading down the wrong path.

              

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