Jesus's astonishment at the centurion's faith marks the only instance in Luke where Jesus explicitly marvels at human understanding of divine authority.
Luke 7
The Healing of the Centurion's Servant
1After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
2A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.
3When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.
4When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him,
5for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.”
6Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof.
7Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.”
10Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.
The Raising of the Widow's Son
11Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.
12Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only born son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.
13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Don’t cry.”
14He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”
15He who was dead sat up and began to speak. Then he gave him to his mother.
16Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!”
17This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
John the Baptist's Question and Jesus' Response
18The disciples of John told him about all these things.
19John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?”
20When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”
21In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.
22Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
23Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
24When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
25But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed and live delicately are in kings’ courts.
26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
27This 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 tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.”
29When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism.
30But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.
31“To what then should I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
32They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and you didn’t weep.’
33For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’
34The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’
35Wisdom is justified by all her children.”
The Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus
36One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table.
37Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
38Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”
40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say on.”
41“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”
43Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”
44Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
45You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.
46You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
48He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
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Theme
Luke 7 presents four pivotal encounters that demonstrate Jesus' divine authority and compassionate ministry. Through healing a centurion's servant, raising a widow's son from death, responding to John the Baptist's inquiry, and receiving anointing from a sinful woman, Jesus reveals his identity as the promised Messiah. These episodes showcase the radical nature of God's kingdom, where faith transcends social boundaries, death yields to divine power, and forgiveness transforms the most unlikely recipients.
Context
Following the Sermon on the Plain in chapter 6, this chapter demonstrates through concrete actions the kingdom principles Jesus had just taught.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-10 The Centurion's Servant Healed A Roman officer's remarkable faith leads to his servant's healing without Jesus even entering the house.
- 11-17 The Widow's Son Raised Jesus demonstrates power over death by raising a young man at Nain, revealing divine compassion for the grieving.
- 18-35 John's Question and Jesus' Testimony Jesus confirms his messianic identity to John's disciples and praises John's prophetic ministry to the crowds.
- 36-50 The Sinful Woman's Anointing A woman's lavish act of worship leads to Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and the relationship between love and gratitude.
The Healing of the Centurion's Servant
7:1–7:10 gospel narration triumphant
Jesus heals a centurion's servant from a distance, marveling at the centurion's extraordinary faith and understanding of authority that surpassed what he found in Israel.
person_contrast
Jesus's astonishment at the centurion's faith marks the only instance in Luke where Jesus explicitly marvels at human understanding of divine authority.
The Raising of the Widow's Son
7:11–7:17 gospel narration triumphant
Jesus raises a widow's only son from the dead, demonstrating his divine power and compassion. The miracle leads people to glorify God and recognize Jesus as a great prophet.
person_contrast
Jesus's compassionate miracle here contrasts sharply with his typical appearances in contexts of authority and judgment, revealing a tender dimension rarely seen elsewhere in Luke's Gospel.
John the Baptist's Question and Jesus' Response
7:18–7:35 gospel dialogue contemplative
John the Baptist sends disciples to confirm Jesus' identity, and Jesus responds by pointing to his miraculous works. Jesus then praises John as the greatest prophet while explaining the superiority of God's kingdom.
person_contrast
Jesus validates his messianic identity not through direct declaration but by cataloging his deeds—healing the blind, lame, and deaf—reversing the very afflictions Isaiah prophesied the Messiah would cure.
The Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus
7:36–7:50 gospel parable-telling tender
A sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet with tears and ointment, prompting Jesus to teach about forgiveness and love through a parable. Jesus forgives the woman's sins and commends her faith.
person_contrast
While Jesus typically exercises divine authority and pronounces judgment throughout Luke's Gospel, here he receives worship from society's most marginalized, reversing the expected power dynamic between the sinless judge and the penitent sinner.
Insights
Jesus's compassionate miracle here contrasts sharply with his typical appearances in contexts of authority and judgment, revealing a tender dimension rarely seen elsewhere in Luke's Gospel.
Jesus validates his messianic identity not through direct declaration but by cataloging his deeds—healing the blind, lame, and deaf—reversing the very afflictions Isaiah prophesied the Messiah would cure.
While Jesus typically exercises divine authority and pronounces judgment throughout Luke's Gospel, here he receives worship from society's most marginalized, reversing the expected power dynamic between the sinless judge and the penitent sinner.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Luke 7:1 1 reference
Luke 7:3 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 23:20 Lexical
He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire som…
John 1:19 Lexical
This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
Acts 25:15 Lexical
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence aga…
Luke 7:6 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 8:8 Lexical
The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be h…
Acts 5:21 Lexical
When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest and those who were wit…
Luke 15:20 Lexical
“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and…
Luke 7:8 2 references
Luke 7:9 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 8:10 Lexical
When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a…
Matthew 9:33 Lexical
When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen…
Matthew 14:13 Lexical
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, the…
Luke 7:10 1 reference
Luke 7:11 2 references
Luke 7:12 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 9:38 Lexical
Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only born child.
Luke 22:47 Lexical
While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared. He who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came nea…
Mark 10:46 Lexical
They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimae…
Matthew 12:46 Lexical
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him.
Mark 3:32 Lexical
A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, “Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside…
Luke 7:14 1 reference
Luke 7:15 1 reference
Luke 7:16 2 references
Luke 7:17 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 4:14 Lexical
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
Mark 1:28 Lexical
The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.
Matthew 20:6 Lexical
About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle…
Luke 7:20 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 16:14 Lexical
They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Matthew 3:1 Lexical
In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
Mark 8:28 Lexical
They told him, “John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others, one of the prophets.”
Luke 9:19 Lexical
They answered, “‘John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets has risen again.…
Luke 7:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 3:10 Lexical
For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him.
Mark 1:34 Lexical
He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, becaus…
Matthew 10:1 Lexical
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal e…
Acts 19:12 Lexical
so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, a…
Matthew 15:30 Lexical
Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at…
Luke 7:22 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 11:5 Lexical
the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the po…
Matthew 15:31 Lexical
so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind seei…
Luke 14:21 Lexical
“That servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go…
Matthew 11:4 Lexical
Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
Matthew 10:8 Lexical
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
Luke 7:24 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 11:7 Lexical
As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness…
Mark 1:13 Lexical
He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals; and the angels were serving h…
Mark 10:41 Lexical
When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John.
Luke 7:25 1 reference
Luke 7:26 1 reference
Luke 7:27 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 11:10 Lexical
For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before y…
Mark 1:2 Lexical
As it is written in the prophets, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you:
Luke 9:52 Lexical
and sent messengers before his face. They went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him.
Matthew 22:16 Lexical
They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the…
Luke 10:1 Lexical
Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city an…
Luke 7:28 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 11:11 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer;…
Acts 26:22 Lexical
Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying noth…
Luke 18:29 Lexical
He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or ch…
Revelation 17:18 Lexical
The woman whom you saw is the great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
Luke 7:29 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 19:4 Lexical
Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the on…
Acts 19:3 Lexical
He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”
Mark 1:4 Lexical
John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
Acts 13:24 Lexical
before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.
Mark 6:14 Lexical
King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and there…
Luke 7:31 1 reference
Luke 7:32 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 11:17 Lexical
and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’
Matthew 11:16 Lexical
“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their compani…
John 16:20 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sor…
Luke 7:33 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 11:18 Lexical
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
1 Corinthians 11:28 Lexical
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
1 Corinthians 11:27 Lexical
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and…
1 Corinthians 11:26 Lexical
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Luke 5:33 Lexical
They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours…
Luke 7:34 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 11:19 Lexical
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collect…
Luke 5:30 Lexical
Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collector…
Matthew 9:11 Lexical
When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Mark 2:16 Lexical
The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his discipl…
Matthew 9:10 Lexical
As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
Luke 7:37 4 references
Lexicals 4
Mark 14:3 Lexical
While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar o…
Matthew 26:7 Lexical
a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the t…
Matthew 9:10 Lexical
As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
Luke 22:10 Lexical
He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow h…
Luke 7:38 3 references
Lexicals 3
John 11:2 Lexical
It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sic…
John 12:3 Lexical
Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with he…
John 13:5 Lexical
Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrap…
Luke 7:39 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 John 3:1 Lexical
See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world does…
Matthew 9:11 Lexical
When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Luke 8:47 Lexical
When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him declared to him in the prese…
Luke 12:1 Lexical
Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he beg…
Matthew 16:28 Lexical
Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man…
Luke 7:41 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 16:5 Lexical
Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’
Matthew 18:28 Lexical
“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him and…
Luke 18:10 Lexical
“Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.
Luke 17:35 Lexical
There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other will be left.”
Matthew 6:24 Lexical
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and…
Luke 7:44 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 12:3 Lexical
Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with he…
John 11:2 Lexical
It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sic…
Revelation 11:6 Lexical
These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over th…
John 13:5 Lexical
Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrap…
Matthew 7:6 Lexical
“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them un…
Luke 7:46 5 references
Lexicals 5
John 11:2 Lexical
It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sic…
John 12:3 Lexical
Therefore Mary took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with he…
Mark 6:13 Lexical
They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them.
James 5:14 Lexical
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil i…
Revelation 18:13 Lexical
and cinnamon, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and p…
Luke 7:50 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 8:48 Lexical
He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Mark 5:34 Lexical
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
Luke 17:19 Lexical
Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”
Matthew 9:22 Lexical
But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was ma…
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