Luke 7

Last updated
Luke 7
←  chapter 6
chapter 8  →
Papyrus 3 (GA) Luc 7,36.37.jpg
Luke 7:36,37 on Papyrus 3, written about 6th/7th century.
Book Gospel of Luke
Category Gospel
Christian Bible part New Testament
Order in the Christian part3

Luke 7 is the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It tells the records of two great miracles performed by Jesus, his reply to John the Baptist's question, and the anointing by a sinful woman. [1] The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist, a companion of Paul the Apostle on his missionary journeys, [2] composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles. [3]

Contents

Text

Luke 7:36-45 in Papyrus 3 (6th/7th century) Papyrus 3 - Austrian National Library, P. Vindob. G. 2323 - Gospel of Luke, 7,36-45, 10,38-42 - recto.jpg
Luke 7:36-45 in Papyrus 3 (6th/7th century)

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 50 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Healing the centurion's servant (7:1-10)

Luke 7:1-10 relates that, when Jesus had "concluded all his sayings", a Roman centurion in Capernaum sent the Jewish elders to ask Jesus for help, because his servant (or slave) was ill. [5] The elders testified to the centurion's worthiness (ἄξιός, axios) but the centurion did not consider himself worthy (using the same Greek word, ηξιωσα, ēxiōsa) [6] to have Jesus come into his home to perform the healing, suggesting instead that Jesus perform the healing at a distance. Jesus concurred, and the servant was found to have been healed when the centurion returned home.

Matthew 8:5–13 records the same healing. A similar event is recounted in John 4:46–53, but this may refer to another event as it concerns the son of a court official.

Widow of Nain's son raised (7:11-17)

View of Nain (modern: Nein) from entrance to the village (2007). Kfarnin.jpg
View of Nain (modern: Nein) from entrance to the village (2007).

This account of a miracle by Jesus is only recorded in the Gospel of Luke. [7] Jesus, accompanied by a large crowd (verse 11), arrived at the gates of the village of Nain during the burial ceremony of the son of a widow, and raised the young man from the dead. The location is the village of Nain in Galilee, two miles south of Mount Tabor. This is the first of three miracles of Jesus in the canonical gospels in which he raises the dead, the other two being the raising of Jairus' daughter and of Lazarus.

Following the healing, Jesus' fame spread "throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region". [8] In the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges, commentator F. W. Farrar explains that "the notion that St Luke therefore supposed Nain to be in Judaea is quite groundless. He means that the story of the incident at Nain spread even into Judaea". [9]

Some parallels in details are noted with the raising of the son of the widow of Zarephath, by the Old Testament prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17), [10] especially some verbal parallels. [11] The raising of the son of the woman of Shunem (2 Kings 4) by Elisha is also similar, including the reaction of the people, and in particular, the location of Nain is very close to Shunem (identified with modern Sulam), giving an example of a repeated pattern in the history of redemption. [12]

Messengers from John the Baptist (7:18-35)

The Meal at the House of Simon the Pharisee, c. 15th century Meal house simon pharisee xil2 hi.jpg
The Meal at the House of Simon the Pharisee, c. 15th century

When John the Baptist was in prison and heard of the works performed by Jesus, John sent two of his disciples as messengers to ask a question of Jesus:

"Are you the one who is to come (ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ho erchomenos), or should we expect someone else?" [13]

Following this episode, Jesus begins to speak to the crowds about John the Baptist, describing him as the 'messenger', a prophet who was himself foretold in prophecy (Malachi 3:1). [14]

Parable of the Two Debtors (7:36-50)

Illustration of "A disciple washes Christ's feet" (Luke 7:38) with the text on the bottom from Song of Solomon 1:12 in Latin (English: "While the king was at his repose, my spikenard sent forth the odour thereof.") Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Albany, New York) - interior, stained glass, A Disciple washes Christ's feet.jpg
Illustration of "A disciple washes Christ's feet" (Luke 7:38) with the text on the bottom from Song of Solomon 1:12 in Latin (English: "While the king was at his repose, my spikenard sent forth the odour thereof.")
Anointing of Jesus, 17th-century altar painting, Ballum, Denmark. Ballum - Hochaltar - Fusswaschung.jpg
Anointing of Jesus, 17th-century altar painting, Ballum, Denmark.

A Pharisee named Simon invites Jesus to eat in his house but fails to show him the usual marks of hospitality offered to visitors - a greeting kiss (v. 45), water to wash his feet (v. 44), or oil for his head (v. 46). A "sinful woman" comes into his house during the meal and anoints Jesus' feet with perfume, wiping them dry with her hair. Simon is inwardly critical of Jesus, who, if he were a prophet, "would know what kind of sinful life she lives". [15]

Jesus then uses the story of two debtors to explain that a woman loves him more than his host, because she has been forgiven of greater sins.

Verse 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. [16]

Verses 47-48

"Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [19]

Eric Franklin observes that the woman is demonstrating her love and asks whether this is "because she has already been forgiven, which is what the parable would imply?" Verse 47, "on a first reading at any rate, does not appear to support this, but rather suggests that she has been forgiven because of her love". The Revised Standard Version and the New King James Version can be read in this way. Franklin notes that "more recent translations, assuming a consistency in the story as a whole, take the Greek ὅτι (hoti, translated as "for" in the quoted passage above) to mean, not "because" but "with the result that", for example the Revised English Bible translates, "Her great love proves that her many sins have been forgiven". Verse 48 then proclaims her forgiveness, which this translation assumes has already been pronounced to her. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raising of the son of the widow of Nain</span> Miracle carried out by Jesus according to the Bible

The raising of the son of the widow of Nain is an account of a miracle by Jesus, recorded in the Gospel of Luke chapter 7. Jesus arrived at the village of Nain during the burial ceremony of the son of a widow, and raised the young man from the dead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark 4</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Mark 4 is the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It tells the parable of the Sower, with its explanation, and the parable of the Mustard Seed. Both of these parables are paralleled in Matthew and Luke, but this chapter also has a parable unique to Mark, the Seed Growing Secretly. The chapter ends with Jesus calming the storm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 10</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 10 is the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the sending of seventy disciples by Jesus, the famous parable about the Good Samaritan, and his visit to the house of Mary and Martha. This Gospel's author, who also wrote the Acts of the Apostles, is not named but is uniformly identified by early Christian tradition as Luke the Evangelist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew 8</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Matthew 8 is the eighth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and continues the narrative about Jesus' ministry in Galilee previously described in Matthew 4:23–25. It follows on from the Sermon on the Mount, noting in its opening verse that Jesus had come down from the mountain where he had been teaching. There is a renewed focus in this chapter on Jesus' ministry of healing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew 17</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Matthew 17 is the seventeenth chapter in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament section of the Christian Bible. Jesus continues his final journey to Jerusalem ministering through Galilee. William Robertson Nicoll identifies "three impressive tableaux" in this chapter: the transfiguration, the epileptic boy and the temple tribute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew 19</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Matthew 19 is the nineteenth chapter in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament section of the Christian Bible. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Matthew composed this Gospel. Jesus commences his final journey to Jerusalem in this chapter, ministering through Perea. It can be seen as the starting point for the passion narrative.

John 9 is the ninth chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It maintains the previous chapter's theme "Jesus is light", recording the healing of a man who had been blind from birth, a miracle performed by Jesus, and their subsequent dealings with the Pharisees. The man born blind comes to complete faith in Jesus, while some of the Pharisees remain in their sin. The author of the book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that John composed this Gospel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John 11</span> Chapter of the New Testament

John 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the raising of Lazarus from the dead, a miracle of Jesus Christ, and the subsequent development of the chief priests' and Pharisees' plot against Jesus. The author of the book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that John composed this Gospel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John 12</span> Chapter of the New Testament

John 12 is the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It narrates an anointing of Jesus' feet, attributed to Mary of Bethany, as well as an account of the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. The author of the book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that John composed this Gospel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 9</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 9 is the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the sending of the twelve disciples, several great miracles performed by Jesus, the story of his transfiguration, Peter's confession and the final departure from Galilee towards Jerusalem. Scottish minister William Robertson Nicoll describes this chapter as unfolding "sundry particulars which together form the closing scenes of the Galilean ministry". The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 11</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records Luke's version of the Lord's Prayer and several parables and teachings told by Jesus Christ. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 12</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 12 is the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records a number of teachings and parables told by Jesus Christ when "an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together", but addressed "first of all" to his disciples. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 13</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 13 is the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records several parables and teachings told by Jesus Christ and his lamentation over the city of Jerusalem. Jesus resumes the journey to Jerusalem which he had embarked upon in Luke 9:51. This chapter, taken with Luke 12:54-59, begins to outline and illustrate "the problem with the Jewish nation" which accounts for the urgency of his journey to Jerusalem. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, however early Christian tradition generally accepts that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 14</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 14 is the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records one miracle performed by Jesus Christ on a Sabbath day, followed by his teachings and parables, where he "inculcates humility ... and points out whom we should invite to our feasts, if we expect spiritual remuneration". The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 15</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 15 is the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles. This chapter records three parables of Jesus Christ: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost or 'prodigal' son, a trilogy about redemption that Jesus tells after the Pharisees and religious leaders accuse him of welcoming and eating with "sinners".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luke 17</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Luke 17 is the seventeenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records "some sayings of Jesus" and the healing of ten lepers. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

Luke 18 is the eighteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the teachings and a miracle of Jesus Christ. The book containing this chapter is anonymous, but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke the Evangelist composed this Gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anointing of Jesus</span> Gospels event

The anointings of Jesus’s head or feet are events recorded in the four gospels. The account in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 12 takes place on the Holy Wednesday of Holy Week at the house of Simon the Leper in Bethany, a village in Judaea on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives. In Matthew and Mark, he is anointed by an unnamed woman. In John, the woman is identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany. The event in Luke features an unnamed sinful woman, and is in the northern region, as Luke 7 indicates Jesus was ministering in the northern regions of Nain and Capernaum. The honorific anointing with perfume is an action frequently mentioned in other literature from the time; however, using long hair to dry Jesus's feet, as in John and Luke, is not recorded elsewhere, and should be regarded as an exceptional gesture. Considerable debate has discussed the identity of the woman, the location, timing, and the message.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Testament people named Mary</span> Women in the Biblical New Testament

The name Mary, appears 54 times in the New Testament, in 49 verses. It was the single most popular female name among Jews of the Roman province of Judaea at the time, borne by about one in four women, and most of the New Testament references to Mary provide only the barest identifying information. Scholars and traditions therefore differ as to how many distinct women these references represent and which of them refer to the same person.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 9</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 9 is the ninth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records Saul's conversion and the works of Saint Peter. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

References

  1. ↑ Halley, Henry H., Halley's Bible Handbook: an Abbreviated Bible Commentary. 23rd edition. Zondervan Publishing House. 1962.
  2. ↑ Jerusalem Bible (1966), "Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels", New Testament p. 5
  3. ↑ Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012.
  4. 1 2 Aland, Kurt; Aland, Barbara (1995). The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism. Erroll F. Rhodes (trans.). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. p. 96. ISBN   978-0-8028-4098-1.
  5. ↑ Translated as 'slave' in the RSV and the Holman Christian Standard Bible
  6. ↑ Strong's Concordance: 515 axioó: to deem worthy
  7. ↑ Meyer, H. A. W. (1880), Meyer's NT Commentary on Luke 7, translated from the German sixth edition, accessed 31 December 2021
  8. ↑ Luke 7:17
  9. 1 2 Farrar, F. W. (1891), Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on Luke 7, accessed 6 June 2018
  10. ↑ Fred Craddock, Luke , 2009 ISBN   0664234356 page 43, 95–8
  11. ↑ The People's New Testament Commentary - M. Eugene Boring, Fred B. Craddock - 2004 Page 204 "7:11-17 RAISING THE WIDOW'S SON This story is only in Luke, but it has many points of contact with the story of Elijah's raising the widow of Zarephath's son (1 Kgs. 17:8-24), including such verbatim parallels as "he gave him to his mother" ..."
  12. ↑ Sinclair Ferguson, Preaching Christ from the Old Testament Archived 2013-09-03 at the Wayback Machine , Proclamation Trust, 2002, page 12.
  13. ↑ Luke 7:19: New International Version, repeated in 7:20
  14. ↑ Guzik, D., Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Luke 7 - The Sick Healed, the Dead Raised, the Sinner Forgiven, accessed 1 January 2022
  15. ↑ Luke 7:39: Good News Translation
  16. ↑ Luke 7:38 KJV
  17. ↑ Expositor's Greek Testament. Luke 7. Accessed 24 April 2019.
  18. ↑ Exell, Joseph S.; Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice (Editors). On "Luke 7" in The Pulpit Commentary . 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2019.
  19. ↑ Luke 7:47–48: Revised Standard Version
  20. ↑ Franklin, E., 59. Luke in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary, p. 936
Preceded by
Luke 6 		Chapters of the Bible
Gospel of Luke 		Succeeded by
Luke 8
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.