Luke 7
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Christ heals the servant of a centurion, who is commended for his faith, Luk 7:1-10. Raises a widow's son to life at Nain, Luk 7:11-17. John Baptist hears of his fame, and sends two of his disciples to inquire whether he was the Christ, Luk 7:18-23. Christ's character of John, Luk 7:24-30. The obstinate blindness and capriciousness of the Jews, Luk 7:31-35. A Pharisee invites him to his house, where a woman anoints his head with oil, and washes his feet with her tears, Luk 7:36-38. The Pharisee is offended, Luk 7:39. Our Lord reproves him by a parable, and vindicates the woman, Luk 7:40-46; and pronounces her sins forgiven, Luk 7:47-50.
Open source ↗CENTURION'S SERVANT HEALED. (Luk 7:1-10) he was worthy--a testimony most precious, coming from those who probably were strangers to the principle from which he acted (Ecc 7:1).
Open source ↗Now when he had ended all his sayings,.... That is, when Jesus, as the Persic version expresses it, had finished all the above sayings, doctrines, and instructions; not all that he had to say, for he said many things after this: in the audience of the people; of the common people, the multitude besides the disciples; and that openly, and publicly, and with a loud and clear voice, that all might hear: he entered into Capernaum; Jesus entered, as the Syriac version reads, into his own city, and where he had been before, and wrought miracles.
Open source ↗Some difference there is between this story of the cure of the centurion's servant as it is related here and as we had it in Mat 8:5, etc. There it was said that the centurion came to Christ; here it is said that he sent to him first some of the elders of the Jews (Luk 7:3), and afterwards some other friends, Luk 7:6. But it is a rule that we are said to do that which we do by another - Quod facimus per alium, id ipsum facere judicamur. The centurion might be said to do that which he did by his proxies; as a man takes possession by his attorney. But it is probable that the centurion himself came at last, when Christ said to him (Mat 8:13), As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. This miracle is here said to have been wrought by our Lord Jesus when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, Luk 7:1. What Christ said he said publicly; whoever would might come and hear him: In secret have I said nothing, Joh 18:20. Now, to give an undeniable proof of the authority of his preaching word, he here gives an incontestable proof of the power and efficacy of his healing word. He that had such a commanding empire in the kingdom of nature as that he could command away diseases, no doubt has such a sovereignty in the kingdom of grace as to enjoin duties displeasing to flesh and blood, and bind, under the highest penalties, to the observance of them. This miracle was wrought in Capernaum, where most of Christ's mighty works were done, Mat 11:23. Now observe, I. The centurion's servant that was sick was dear to his master, Luk 7:2. It was the praise of the servant that by his diligence and faithfulness, and a manifest concern for his master and his interest, as for himself and for his own, he recommended himself to his master's esteem and love. Servants should…
Open source ↗7:1-10 This episode shows God’s message of salvation is for Gentiles as well as Jews.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐπεί (epeí, G1893) — thereupon, i.e. since (of time or cause) πληρόω (plēróō, G4137) — to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively)… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ῥῆμα (rhēma, G4487) — an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀκοή (akoḗ, G189) — hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard) λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively) Καπερναούμ (Kapernaoúm, G2584) — Capernaum (i.e. Caphanachum), a place in Palestine
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἑκατοντάρχης (hekatontárchēs, G1543) — the captain of one hundred men δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ἔντιμος (éntimos, G1784) — valued (figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… κακῶς (kakōs, G2560) — badly (physically or morally) μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… τελευτάω (teleutáō, G5053) — to finish life (by implication, of G979 (βίος)), i.e. expire (demise)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀποστέλλω (apostéllō, G649) — set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… Ἰουδαῖος (Ioudaîos, G2453) — Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah ἐρωτάω (erōtáō, G2065) — to interrogate; by implication, to request ὅπως (hópōs, G3704) — what(-ever) how, i.e. in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence,… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) διασώζω (diasṓzō, G1295) — to save thoroughly, i.e. (by implication or analogy) to cure, preserve, rescue, etc. δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. παραγίνομαι (paragínomai, G3854) — to become near, i.e. approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites παρακαλέω (parakaléō, G3870) — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… σπουδαίως (spoudaíōs, G4709) — earnestly, promptly λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἄξιος (áxios, G514) — deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that παρέχω (paréchō, G3930) — to hold near, i.e. present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… οἰκοδομέω (oikodoméō, G3618) — to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us συναγωγή (synagōgḗ, G4864) — an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites πορεύομαι (poreúomai, G4198) — to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively,… σύν (sýn, G4862) — with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀπέχω (apéchō, G568) — (actively) to have out, i.e. receive in full; (intransitively) to keep (oneself) away,… ἤδη (ḗdē, G2235) — even now οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not μακράν (makrán, G3112) — at a distance (literally or figuratively) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… οἰκία (oikía, G3614) — properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or… ἑκατοντάρχης (hekatontárchēs, G1543) — the captain of one hundred men πέμπω (pémpō, G3992) — to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas (as a stronger form… φίλος (phílos, G5384) — actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)
Open source ↗διό (dió, G1352) — through which thing, i.e. consequently οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even ἀξιόω (axióō, G515) — to deem entitled or fit ἐμαυτοῦ (emautoû, G1683) — of myself so likewise the dative case , and accusative case ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… σέ (sé, G4571) — thee ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me παῖς (paîs, G3816) — a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a… ἰάομαι (iáomai, G2390) — to cure (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being τάσσω (tássō, G5021) — to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἐμαυτοῦ (emautoû, G1683) — of myself so likewise the dative case , and accusative case στρατιώτης (stratiṓtēs, G4757) — a camper-out, i.e. a (common) warrior (literally or figuratively) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… τούτῳ (toútōi, G5129) — to (in, with or by) this (person or thing) πορεύομαι (poreúomai, G4198) — to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things θαυμάζω (thaumázō, G2296) — to wonder; by implication, to admire αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… στρέφω (stréphō, G4762) — to twist, i.e. turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively) ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ὄχλος (óchlos, G3793) — a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people;… ἀκολουθέω (akolouthéō, G190) — properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πέμπω (pémpō, G3992) — to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas (as a stronger form… ὑποστρέφω (hypostréphō, G5290) — to turn under (behind), i.e. to return (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… οἶκος (oîkos, G3624) — a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family… εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… ὑγιαίνω (hygiaínō, G5198) — to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in… ἀσθενέω (asthenéō, G770) — to be feeble (in any sense)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἑξῆς (hexēs, G1836) — successive πορεύομαι (poreúomai, G4198) — to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively,… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) Ναΐν (Naḯn, G3484) — Nain, a place in Palestine ἱκανός (hikanós, G2425) — competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μαθητής (mathētḗs, G3101) — a learner, i.e. pupil συμπορεύομαι (symporeúomai, G4848) — to journey together; by implication, to assemble πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἐγγίζω (engízō, G1448) — to make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach πύλη (pýlē, G4439) — a gate, i.e. the leaf or wing of a folding entrance (literally or figuratively) πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; ἐκκομίζω (ekkomízō, G1580) — to bear forth (to burial) θνήσκω (thnḗskō, G2348) — to die (literally or figuratively) μονογενής (monogenḗs, G3439) — only-born, i.e. sole υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μήτηρ (mḗtēr, G3384) — a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote) ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… σπλαγχνίζομαι (splanchnízomai, G4697) — to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) κλαίω (klaíō, G2799) — to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… προσέρχομαι (prosérchomai, G4334) — to approach, i.e. (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to ἅπτομαι (háptomai, G680) — properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. to touch (in many implied relations) σορός (sorós, G4673) — a funereal receptacle (urn, coffin), i.e. (by analogy) a bier δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. βαστάζω (bastázō, G941) — to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.) ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) νεανίσκος (neanískos, G3495) — a youth (under forty) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from…
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