Bible Commentaries
Luke 7

Verse 1

ended = completed, or finished.

sayings. Greek. p1. of rhema. Not the same word as in Luke 6:47 . See note on Mark 9:32 .

in = into. Greek. eis. App-104 .

audience = hearing. Greek. "ears". Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for hearing.

into. Greek. eis. App-104 .

Capernaum. See App-169 .

Verse 2

a certain centurion : viz. the same that the Lord had blessed before (Matthew 8:5-13 ); i.e. before the calling of the twelve, Matthew 10:1 , &c. This second healing of the centurion's bondman took place after the calling of the twelve (Luke 6:13-16 ). Note the different words and incidents. servant = bondman. Greek. doulos, not "pais" as in Matthew 8:6 ( App-108 .) and in Luke 7:7 here, for the " pais" might be a "doulos", while the "doulos" need not be a ' pais". "Pais" relates to origin, " doulos" to condition, when used of the same person. dear = esteemed, or honoured. Not said of the "pais", and more suitable to " doulos".

Verse 3

of = about. Greek. peri. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 7:7 , Luke 7:35; Luke 7:35 .

Jesus. App-98 .

sent = sent away (the sender remaining behind). Greek. apostello. App-174 .

unto. Greek. pros. App-104 .

the elders = some of [the] elders.

beseeching = asking. Not the same word as in Luke 7:4 . App-134 .

Verse 4

to . Greek. pros. App-104 .

besought . Stronger word than in Luke 7:3 . App-134 .:6.

instantly = pressingly, or urgently.

was = is: giving the exact words.

Verse 5

loveth. Greek. agapao. App-135 .

he = he himself.

us = for us.

a synagogue = the synagogue. The Lord knew all the synagogues in Capernaum; so that this must have been some special synagogue, probably a new one, built since the event of Matthew 8:5-13 ,

Verse 6

went = was going.

with = in conjunction or fellowship with. Greek. sun. App-104 .

not far. In the former case, the Lord did not go; being prevented by the centurion.

not . Greek. ou. App-105 .

from . Greek. apo. App-104 .

sent . Greek. pempo ( App-174 .) = to send with; the envoy being accompanied by an, escort.

saying. He himself was present, and was the speaker.

Lord . App-98 . The Person of the Lord is the subject of this second period of His ministry. See App-119 .

trouble not Thyself . This second and similar address shows a greater depth of humility, probably grown since the former healing, of which the synagogue may have been a votive token. not. Greek. me. App-105 . Not the same word as in preceding and following clause,

not worthy . Greek. ou . As in first clause.

under . Greek. hupo. App-104 .

my . Emphatic by position in the sentence. Figure of speech Hyperbaton. App-6 .

Verse 7

say in a word = say by, or with a word. Dative case.

servant . Here, it is Greek. pais. App-108 . See note on Luke 7:2 .

Verse 8

I also am , &c. = I also, a man, am appointed under (or, obedient to) authority.

man . Greek. anthropos. App-123 . set appointed.

me = myself.

Verse 9

He marvelled , &c. The only other instance of the Lord's marvelling is at their unbelief (Mark 6:6 ).

not. . . . no, not = not even. Greek. oude.

in. Greek. en. App-104 .

Verse 10

to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .

whole = in good health. A medical word. See note on Luke 5:31 . that had been sick. Omitted by L T Tr. [A] W EI R. Thusthe antecedents and consequents, andsubjects of the two miracles differ in important details.

Verse 11

Verses 11-17 peculiar to Luke. Selected because it is connected with the Lord's Person as God-raiser of the dead; and as Man-full of compassion.

And . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ), the "many ands" in these verses (11-17) emphasizing every detail. The "ands" in the English do not always agree with those in the Greek.

it came to pass. A Hebraism. See note on Luke 1:8 .

Nain. Now, Nein. Occurs only here in N.T. The ruins are on the slope of Little Hermon, west of Endor.

Verse 12

the gate . All funerals were outside.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . To call attention to the two great crowds meeting.

a dead man . Greek ho nekros. App-139 .

Verse 13

the Lord . This Divine title more frequent in Luke than in any of the other Gospels. See verses: Luke 7:19 , Luke 7:31 , Luke 7:1 ; Luke 11:1 ; Luke 12:42 ; Luke 17:5 , Luke 17:6 ; Luke 19:8 ; Luke 19:22 . aLuke 19:1 . App-98 . A.

saw . Greek eidon. App-133 .:1. Not the same word as in Luke 7:24 .

compassion . See on Luke 7:11 the reason for the selection of this miracle, here.

on. Greek. epi. App-104 .

not . Greek. me. App-105 .

Verse 14

came = came up.

touched . Without defilement. Another remarkable fact, emphasized by the and".

bier . Probably of wicker-work.

stood still . Another remarkable particular. Young man. App-108 . Arise. App-178 .

Verse 15

he that was dead = the corpse. See App-139 . sat up. A medical word (Colossians 4:14 ). Greek anakathizo. Occurs only here and Acts 9:40 . Common in medical writings; and found also in the Papyri, in a letter from a Christian servant to his absent master about the illness of his mistress (Milligan's Selections, p. 130).

Verse 16

a great prophet . See Luke 9:8 , Luke 9:19 .

is risen up . App-178 .

among . Greek en. App-104 .

hath visited . Compare Luke 1:68 . John 3:2 .

Verse 17

rumour = report. Greek logos.

throughout = in. Greek. en. App-104 .

Verse 18

shewed him = brought word. This became the occasion of John's second mission. If the Lord could raise the dead, why was he languishing in prison?

Verse 19

two = a certain two. The mission in Matthew 11:1 , &c., was earlier than this. See notes on Matthew 11:2 . No number named there. See note on "two" there.

Jesus. All the texts read "the Lord". See note on Luke 7:13 .

He That should come = the coming [Messiah].

look we = do we look.

another . Greek. allos. App-124 . But Tr. and WI read "heteros". App-124 .

Verse 20

men . Greek. Plural of aner. App-123 .

Verse 21

same . Omit. No equivalent in the Greek.

cured = healed.

of = from. App-104 .

infirmities = diseases (chronic).

plagues = scourges (acute). Medical terms (Colossians 4:14 ).

evil . Greek. poneros. App-128 .

spirits . See App-101 .

Verse 22

Jesus . Omit [LIT Tr. A WH R.

seen and heard . The evidence was not that they were miracles (qua miracles), but that the miracles were those that had been prophesied. See Isaiah 29:18 ; Isa 85:4-6 ; Isaiah 60:1-3 . Had the Lord worked miracles far more extraordinary they would have been no evidence at all as to His claims. the . . . the, &c. No articles in the Greek.

see are seeing again. App-133 .

dead = dead people.

No Art . See App-139 .

to the poor the gospel is preached: literally the poor ( App-127 .) are being

evangelized ( App-121 .4).

Verse 23

blessed = happy.

not be offended = find not (Greek. me. App-105 .) anything to stumble at.

Verse 24

concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 .

went ye out = have ye gone out (perfect tense). All the texts, however, read "went ye out" (aor.)

for to see = to look at. Greek theaomai. App-133 .

with = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 .

wind . Greek. anemos.

Verse 25

for to see = to see. Greek. eidon. App-133 . soft. See Matthew 11:8 . A contrast to "camel's hair".

are = are existing. Same word as "was" in Romans 4:19 ; "being "in Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:6 ; and "is" in Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:20 .

delicately = luxuriously. The Herods were noted for this (Acts 12:21 .Mark 6:21 . Josephus, Bel. Jude 1:20 . § 3 ; Ant. xix. 8. 2).

kings' courts = royal palaces. Greek. Plural of basileion. Occurs only here in N.T.

Verse 26

A prophet. See App-49 . One who spoke for God. Not necessarily beforehand. Compare Exodus 4:16 ; Exodus 7:1 .

Verse 27

it is written = it standeth written. Quoted from Malachi 3:1 . See App-107 .

before . Greek. pro. App-104 .

prepare . See note on Luke 1:17 .

before . Greek. emprosthen = in the presence of.

Verse 28

born = brought into the world. Greek gennao, used of the mother. See note on Matthew 1:2 .

not. Greek. oudeis = no one. Compare Luke 5:36 .

least. See note on Matthew 11:11 . John only proclaimed it. But had the nation then accepted the Lord, it would have been realized.

the kingdom of God . See App-114 .

Verse 29

publicans = toll collectors. See on Matthew 5:46 .

justified God . A Hebraism = declared God to be just, by submitting to John's baptism.

Verse 30

rejected = set aside, or annulled, by the interpretation they put upon it. Compare Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:21 .Proverbs 1:24 .

counsel. Greek. boule. See App-102 ., and p. Ephesians 1:9 , Ephesians 1:11 . See also Acts 2:23 ; Acts 4:28 , &c.

against = as to. Greek. eis. App-104 .

of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 .

Verse 31

And the Lord said . All the texts omit these words. this generation. See note on Matthew 11:16 .

Verse 32

children = little children. App-108 .

the = a.

We have piped = We piped: i.e. played at being at a wedding.

have not danced = danced not.

we have mourned = we mourned: i.e. we played at being at a funeral.

have not wept = wept not. Compare Luke 6:21 .

Verse 33

eating . . . drinking. Hebrew idiom for ordinary living. Compare Luke 1:15 .Matthew 3:4 .

Bread. . . wine. Peculiar to Luke.

devil = demon. Later, they said the same of the Lord. John 7:20 ; John 10:20 .

Verse 34

The Son of man . See App-98 .

is = has.

Verse 35

But = And yet.

wisdom . See note on Matthew 11:19 .

children: i.e. those produced by her. See App-108 .

Verse 36

And one , &c. Verses 36-50 peculiar to Luke. Not to be identified with Simon (Mark 14:3 ). All the circumstances are different.

Simon was one of the commonest names. There are nine mentioned in the N.T., and two among the Twelve.

desired = asked, or invited. App-134 .

with = in company

with. Greek. meta. App-104 .

sat down to meat = reclined [at table].

Verse 37

a woman. Not to be identified with Mary Magdalene: it is a libel on her to do so, and quite arbitrary. Compare Matthew 21:32 .

the city. That it was Magdala is a pure assumption.

which = who: i.e. reference to a class.

was, &c. All the texts read "which was in the city, a sinner".

when she knew = having got to know. Greek. ginosko. App-132 .

Jesus = He. alabaster. See Matthew 26:7 . Mark 14:3 .

Verse 38

And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

at = beside. Greek. para. App-104 .

wash = bedew.

did wipe = was wiping.

kissed = was ardently kissing. Compare Acts 20:37 .

Verse 39

bidden = invited.

within. Greek. en = in. App-104 .

if, &c. Assuming and believing the fact. App-118 .

known = got to know, as in Luke 7:36 .

that. Same as "which" in Luke 7:36 .

Verse 40

answering : i.e. his secret doubt.

Simon . See note on Luke 7:36 .

say unto thee . You have been condemning Me!

Master = Teacher. App-98 .

say on = say it.

Verse 41

There was , &c. Greek. "There were two debtors to a certain money-lender".

pence = denarii. See App-51 .

other = a different one. Greek. heteros. See App-124 .

Verse 42

when they had nothing = not (Greek. me as in Luke 7:13 ) having anything.

most = more.

Verse 43

I suppose = I take it. Greek. hupolambano, used only by Luke; here, Luke 10:30 . Acts 1:9 ; Acts 2:15 . Medical use, to check (a disease).

judged. App-122 .

Verse 44

Seest thou = Host thou mark. Greek. blepo. App-133 . The Lord calls Simon's attention to her works, but He calls the woman's attention (Luke 7:47 ) to His own grace towards her.

thou gavest, &c. Op. Genesis 18:4 ; Genesis 19:2 .Judges 19:21 . 1 Timothy 5:10 . no. Greek. ou. App-105 .

for = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

she. Emphatic.

Verse 45

this woman = she (emph.)

since the time = from (Greek. apo) the time when.

ceased = been intermittent. A medical word. Occurs only here in N.T.

Verse 47

Wherefore = for which cause, or because her sins are forgiven. sins. App-128 .

for = that. This could be seen; and was the sign, not the cause or consequence.

Verse 48

unto her . Note the change.

Verse 49

began . Noting the uprising of the thought.

Who is This . . . ? This incident chosen because it sets forth the Lord's Person as God. The subject of this Second Period of His ministry. See App-119 .