1.
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
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 .
2.
And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
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".
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.
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 .
4.
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
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.
5.
For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
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 ,
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:
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 .
7.
Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
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 .
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.
I also am , &c. = I also, a man, am appointed under (or, obedient to) authority.
man . Greek. anthropos. App-123 . set appointed.
me = myself.
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.
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 .
10.
And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
13.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
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 .
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.
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 .
15.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
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).
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.
rumour = report. Greek logos.
throughout = in. Greek. en. App-104 .
18.
And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
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?
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?
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 .
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?
men . Greek. Plural of aner. App-123 .
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.
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 .
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.
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).
23.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
blessed = happy.
not be offended = find not (Greek. me. App-105 .) anything to stumble at.
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?
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.
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.
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.
26.
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
A prophet. See App-49 . One who spoke for God. Not necessarily beforehand. Compare Exodus 4:16 ; Exodus 7:1 .
27.
This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
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.
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.
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 .
29.
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
publicans = toll collectors. See on Matthew 5:46 .
justified God . A Hebraism = declared God to be just, by submitting to John's baptism.
30.
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
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 .
31.
And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
And the Lord said . All the texts omit these words. this generation. See note on Matthew 11:16 .
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.
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 .
33.
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
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 .
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!
The Son of man . See App-98 .
is = has.
35.
But wisdom is justified of all her children.
But = And yet.
wisdom . See note on Matthew 11:19 .
children: i.e. those produced by her. See App-108 .
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.
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].
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,
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 .
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.
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 .
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.
40.
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
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.
41.
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
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 .
42.
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
when they had nothing = not (Greek. me as in Luke 7:13 ) having anything.
most = more.
43.
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
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 .
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.
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.
45.
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
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.
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.
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.
48.
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
unto her . Note the change.
49.
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
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 .
50.
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.