Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Luke » Chapter 7 » Verse 1-50

Luke 7:1-50 King James Version (KJV)

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

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.

4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

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:

7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

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.

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.

10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

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.

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.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

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.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

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.

18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

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?

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?

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.

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.

23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

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?

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.

26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

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.

29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

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.

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

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!

35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

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.

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,

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.

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.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

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.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

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.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.


Luke 7:1-50 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Now G1161 when G1893 he had ended G4137 all G3956 his G846 sayings G4487 in G1519 the audience G189 of the people, G2992 he entered G1525 into G1519 Capernaum. G2584

2 And G1161 a certain G5100 centurion's G1543 servant, G1401 who G3739 was G2258 dear G1784 unto him, G846 was G2192 sick, G2560 and ready G3195 to die. G5053

3 And G1161 when he heard G191 of G4012 Jesus, G2424 he sent G649 unto G4314 him G846 the elders G4245 of the Jews, G2453 beseeching G2065 him G846 that G3704 he would come G2064 and heal G1295 his G846 servant. G1401

4 And G1161 when they came G3854 to G4314 Jesus, G2424 they besought G3870 him G846 instantly, G4709 saying, G3004 That G3754 he was G2076 worthy G514 for whom G3739 he should do G3930 this: G5124

5 For G1063 he loveth G25 our G2257 nation, G1484 and G2532 he G846 hath built G3618 us G2254 a synagogue. G4864

6 Then G1161 Jesus G2424 went G4198 with G4862 them. G846 And G1161 when he G846 was G568 now G2235 not G3756 far G3112 from G575 the house, G3614 the centurion G1543 sent G3992 friends G5384 to G4314 him, G846 saying G3004 unto him, G846 Lord, G2962 trouble G4660 not G3361 thyself: G4660 for G1063 I am G1510 not G3756 worthy G2425 that G2443 thou shouldest enter G1525 under G5259 my G3450 roof: G4721

7 Wherefore G1352 neither G3761 thought I G515 myself G1683 worthy G515 to come G2064 unto G4314 thee: G4571 but G235 say G2036 in a word, G3056 and G2532 my G3450 servant G3816 shall be healed. G2390

8 For G1063 I G1473 also G2532 am G1510 a man G444 set G5021 under G5259 authority, G1849 having G2192 under G5259 me G1683 soldiers, G4757 and G2532 I say G3004 unto one, G5129 Go, G4198 and G2532 he goeth; G4198 and G2532 to another, G243 Come, G2064 and G2532 he cometh; G2064 and G2532 to my G3450 servant, G1401 Do G4160 this, G5124 and G2532 he doeth G4160 it.

9 When G1161 Jesus G2424 heard G191 these things, G5023 he marvelled G2296 at him, G846 and G2532 turned him about, G4762 and said G2036 unto the people G3793 that followed G190 him, G846 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 I have not found G2147 so great G5118 faith, G4102 no, not G3761 in G1722 Israel. G2474

10 And G2532 they that were sent, G3992 returning G5290 to G1519 the house, G3624 found G2147 the servant G1401 whole G5198 that had been sick. G770

11 And G2532 it came to pass G1096 G1722 the day after, G1836 that he went G4198 into G1519 a city G4172 called G2564 Nain; G3484 and G2532 many G2425 of his G846 disciples G3101 went with G4848 him, G846 and G2532 much G4183 people. G3793

12 Now G1161 when G5613 he came nigh G1448 to the gate G4439 of the city, G4172 behold, G2532 G2400 there was G1580 a dead man G2348 carried out, G1580 the only G3439 son G5207 of his G846 mother, G3384 and G2532 she G846 was G2258 a widow: G5503 and G2532 much G2425 people G3793 of the city G4172 was G2258 with G4862 her. G846

13 And G2532 when the Lord G2962 saw G1492 her, G846 he had compassion G4697 on G1909 her, G846 and G2532 said G2036 unto her, G846 Weep G2799 not. G3361

14 And G2532 he came G4334 and touched G680 the bier: G4673 and G1161 they that bare G941 him stood still. G2476 And G2532 he said, G2036 Young man, G3495 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 Arise. G1453

15 And G2532 he that was dead G3498 sat up, G339 and G2532 began G756 to speak. G2980 And G2532 he delivered G1325 him G846 to his G846 mother. G3384

16 And G1161 there came G2983 a fear G5401 on all: G537 and G2532 they glorified G1392 God, G2316 saying, G3004 That G3754 a great G3173 prophet G4396 is risen up G1453 among G1722 us; G2254 and, G2532 That G3754 God G2316 hath visited G1980 his G846 people. G2992

17 And G2532 this G3778 rumour G3056 of G4012 him G846 went forth G1831 throughout G1722 all G3650 Judaea, G2449 and G2532 throughout G1722 all G3956 the region round about. G4066

18 And G2532 the disciples G3101 of John G2491 shewed G518 him G846 of G4012 all G3956 these things. G5130

19 And G2532 John G2491 calling G4341 unto him two G1417 G5100 of his G846 disciples G3101 sent G3992 them to G4314 Jesus, G2424 saying, G3004 Art G1488 thou G4771 he that should come? G2064 or G2228 look we for G4328 another? G243

20 When G1161 the men G435 were come G3854 unto G4314 him, G846 they said, G2036 John G2491 Baptist G910 hath sent G649 us G2248 unto G4314 thee, G4571 saying, G3004 Art G1488 thou G4771 he that should come? G2064 or G2228 look we for G4328 another? G243

21 And G1161 in G1722 that same G846 hour G5610 he cured G2323 many G4183 of G575 their infirmities G3554 and G2532 plagues, G3148 and G2532 of evil G4190 spirits; G4151 and G2532 unto many G4183 that were blind G5185 he gave G5483 sight. G991

22 Then G2532 Jesus G2424 answering G611 said G2036 unto them, G846 Go your way, G4198 and tell G518 John G2491 what things G3739 ye have seen G1492 and G2532 heard; G191 how G3754 that the blind G5185 see, G308 the lame G5560 walk, G4043 the lepers G3015 are cleansed, G2511 the deaf G2974 hear, G191 the dead G3498 are raised, G1453 to the poor G4434 the gospel is preached. G2097

23 And G2532 blessed G3107 is G2076 he, whosoever G3739 shall G4624 not G3362 be offended G4624 in G1722 me. G1698

24 And G1161 when the messengers G32 of John G2491 were departed, G565 he began G756 to speak G3004 unto G4314 the people G3793 concerning G4012 John, G2491 What G5101 went ye out G1831 into G1519 the wilderness G2048 for to see? G2300 A reed G2563 shaken G4531 with G5259 the wind? G417

25 But G235 what G5101 went ye out G1831 for to see? G1492 A man G444 clothed G294 in G1722 soft G3120 raiment? G2440 Behold, G2400 they which are G1722 gorgeously G1741 apparelled, G2441 and G2532 live G5225 delicately, G5172 are G1526 in G1722 kings' courts. G933

26 But G235 what G5101 went ye out G1831 for to see? G1492 A prophet? G4396 Yea, G3483 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 and G2532 much more G4055 than a prophet. G4396

27 This G3778 is G2076 he, of G4012 whom G3739 it is written, G1125 Behold, G2400 I G1473 send G649 my G3450 messenger G32 before G4253 thy G4675 face, G4383 which G3739 shall prepare G2680 thy G4675 way G3598 before G1715 thee. G4675

28 For G1063 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 Among G1722 those that are born G1084 of women G1135 there is G2076 not G3762 a greater G3187 prophet G4396 than G3187 John G2491 the Baptist: G910 but G1161 he that is least G3398 in G1722 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 is G2076 greater than G3187 he. G846

29 And G2532 all G3956 the people G2992 that heard G191 him, and G2532 the publicans, G5057 justified G1344 God, G2316 being baptized G907 with the baptism G908 of John. G2491

30 But G1161 the Pharisees G5330 and G2532 lawyers G3544 rejected G114 the counsel G1012 of God G2316 against G1519 themselves, G1438 being G907 not G3361 baptized G907 of G5259 him. G846

31 And G1161 the Lord G2962 said, G2036 Whereunto G5101 then G3767 shall I liken G3666 the men G444 of this G5026 generation? G1074 and G2532 to what G5101 are they G1526 like? G3664

32 They are G1526 like G3664 unto children G3813 sitting G2521 in G1722 the marketplace, G58 and G2532 calling G4377 one to another, G240 and G2532 saying, G3004 We have piped G832 unto you, G5213 and G2532 ye have G3738 not G3756 danced; G3738 we have mourned G2354 to you, G5213 and G2532 ye have G2799 not G3756 wept. G2799

33 For G1063 John G2491 the Baptist G910 came G2064 neither G3383 eating G2068 bread G740 nor G3383 drinking G4095 wine; G3631 and G2532 ye say, G3004 He hath G2192 a devil. G1140

34 The Son G5207 of man G444 is come G2064 eating G2068 and G2532 drinking; G4095 and G2532 ye say, G3004 Behold G2400 a gluttonous G5314 man, G444 and G2532 a winebibber, G3630 a friend G5384 of publicans G5057 and G2532 sinners! G268

35 But G2532 wisdom G4678 is justified G1344 of G575 all G3956 her G846 children. G5043

36 And G1161 one G5100 of the Pharisees G5330 desired G2065 him G846 that G2443 he would eat G5315 with G3326 him. G846 And G2532 he went G1525 into G1519 the Pharisee's G5330 house, G3614 and sat down to meat. G347

37 And, G2532 behold, G2400 a woman G1135 in G1722 the city, G4172 which G3748 was G2258 a sinner, G268 when she knew G1921 that G3754 Jesus sat at meat G345 in G1722 the Pharisee's G5330 house, G3614 brought G2865 an alabaster box G211 of ointment, G3464

38 And G2532 stood G2476 at G3844 his G846 feet G4228 behind G3694 him weeping, G2799 and began G756 to wash G1026 his G846 feet G4228 with tears, G1144 and G2532 did wipe G1591 them with the hairs G2359 of her G846 head, G2776 and G2532 kissed G2705 his G846 feet, G4228 and G2532 anointed G218 them with the ointment. G3464

39 Now G1161 when the Pharisee G5330 which G3588 had bidden G2564 him G846 saw G1492 it, he spake G2036 within G1722 himself, G1438 saying, G3004 This man, G3778 if G1487 he were G2258 a prophet, G4396 G302 would have known G1097 who G5101 and G2532 what manner G4217 of woman G1135 this is that G3748 toucheth G680 him: G846 for G3754 she is G2076 a sinner. G268

40 And G2532 Jesus G2424 answering G611 said G2036 unto G4314 him, G846 Simon, G4613 I have G2192 somewhat G5100 to say G2036 unto thee. G4671 And G1161 he saith, G5346 Master, G1320 say on. G2036

41 There was G2258 a certain G5100 creditor G1157 which had two G1417 debtors: G5533 the one G1520 owed G3784 five hundred G4001 pence, G1220 and G1161 the other G2087 fifty. G4004

42 And G1161 when they G846 had G2192 nothing G3361 to pay, G591 he frankly forgave G5483 them both. G297 Tell me G2036 therefore, G3767 which G5101 of them G846 will love G25 him G846 most? G4119

43 Simon G4613 answered G611 and G1161 said, G2036 I suppose G5274 that G3754 he, to whom G3739 he forgave G5483 most. G4119 And G1161 he said G2036 unto him, G846 Thou hast G2919 rightly G3723 judged. G2919

44 And G2532 he turned G4762 to G4314 the woman, G1135 and said G5346 unto Simon, G4613 Seest thou G991 this G5026 woman? G1135 I entered G1525 into G1519 thine G4675 house, G3614 thou gavest me G1325 no G3756 water G5204 for G1909 my G3450 feet: G4228 but G1161 she G3778 G846 hath washed G1026 my G3450 feet G4228 with tears, G1144 and G2532 wiped G1591 them with the hairs G2359 of her G846 head. G2776

45 Thou gavest G1325 me G3427 no G3756 kiss: G5370 but G1161 this woman G3778 G846 since G575 the time G3739 I came in G1525 hath G1257 not G3756 ceased G1257 to kiss G2705 my G3450 feet. G4228

46 My G3450 head G2776 with oil G1637 thou didst G218 not G3756 anoint: G218 but G1161 this woman G3778 G846 hath anointed G218 my G3450 feet G4228 with ointment. G3464

47 Wherefore G3739 G5484 I say G3004 unto thee, G4671 Her G846 sins, G266 which G3588 are many, G4183 are forgiven; G863 for G3754 she loved G25 much: G4183 but G1161 to whom G3739 little G3641 is forgiven, G863 the same loveth G25 little. G3641

48 And G1161 he said G2036 unto her, G846 Thy G4675 sins G266 are forgiven. G863

49 And G2532 they that sat at meat with him G4873 began G756 to say G3004 within G1722 themselves, G1438 Who G5101 is G2076 this G3778 that G3739 forgiveth G863 sins G266 also? G2532

50 And G1161 he said G2036 to G4314 the woman, G1135 Thy G4675 faith G4102 hath saved G4982 thee; G4571 go G4198 in G1519 peace. G1515


Luke 7:1-50 American Standard (ASV)

1 After he had ended all his sayings in the ears of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and at the point of death.

3 And when he heard concerning Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews, asking him that he would come and save his servant.

4 And they, when they came to Jesus, besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him;

5 for he loveth our nation, and himself built us our synagogue.

6 And 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 come under my roof:

7 wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9 And when Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned and said unto the multitude that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole.

11 And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude.

12 Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

16 And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people.

17 And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judaea, and all the region round about.

18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things.

19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?

20 And when the men were come unto him, they said, John the Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?

21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight.

22 And he answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye have seen and heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good tidings preached to them.

23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

25 But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

26 But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

27 This is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.

28 I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29 And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him.

31 Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like?

32 They are like unto children that sit in the marketplace, and call one to another; who say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not weep.

33 For John the Baptist is come eating no bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a demon.

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!

35 And wisdom is justified of all her children.

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

37 And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment,

38 and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee that had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him, that she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on.

41 A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty.

42 When they had not `wherewith' to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And turning to the woman, he said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath wetted my feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she 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.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins?

50 And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.


Luke 7:1-50 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And when he completed all his sayings in the ears of the people, he went into Capernaum;

2 and a certain centurion's servant being ill, was about to die, who was much valued by him,

3 and having heard about Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews, beseeching him, that having come he might thoroughly save his servant.

4 And they, having come near unto Jesus, were calling upon him earnestly, saying -- `He is worthy to whom thou shalt do this,

5 for he doth love our nation, and the synagogue he did build to us.'

6 And Jesus was going on with them, and now when he is not far distant from the house the centurion sent unto him friends, saying to him, `Sir, be not troubled, for I am not worthy that under my roof thou mayest enter;

7 wherefore not even myself thought I worthy to come unto thee, but say in a word, and my lad shall be healed;

8 for I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers, and I say to this `one', Go, and he goeth; and to another, Be coming, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doth `it'.'

9 And having heard these things Jesus wondered at him, and having turned to the multitude following him, he said, `I say to you, not even in Israel so much faith did I find;'

10 and those sent, having turned back to the house, found the ailing servant in health.

11 And it came to pass, on the morrow, he was going on to a city called Nain, and there were going with him many of his disciples, and a great multitude,

12 and as he came nigh to the gate of the city, then, lo, one dead was being carried forth, an only son of his mother, and she a widow, and a great multitude of the city was with her.

13 And the Lord having seen her, was moved with compassion towards her, and said to her, `Be not weeping;'

14 and having come near, he touched the bier, and those bearing `it' stood still, and he said, `Young man, to thee I say, Arise;'

15 and the dead sat up, and began to speak, and he gave him to his mother;

16 and fear took hold of all, and they were glorifying God, saying -- `A great prophet hath risen among us,' and -- `God did look upon His people.'

17 And the account of this went forth in all Judea about him, and in all the region around.

18 And the disciples of John told him about all these things,

19 and John having called near a certain two of his disciples, sent unto Jesus, saying, `Art thou he who is coming, or for another do we look?'

20 And having come near to him, the men said, `John the Baptist sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he who is coming, or for another do we look?'

21 And in that hour he cured many from sicknesses, and plagues, and evil spirits, and to many blind he granted sight.

22 And Jesus answering said to them, `Having gone on, report to John what ye saw and heard, that blind men do see again, lame do walk, lepers are cleansed, deaf do hear, dead are raised, poor have good news proclaimed;

23 and happy is he whoever may not be stumbled in me.'

24 And the messengers of John having gone away, he began to say unto the multitudes concerning John: `What have ye gone forth to the wilderness to look on? a reed by the wind shaken?

25 but what have ye gone forth to see? a man in soft garments clothed? lo, they in splendid apparellings, and living in luxury, are in the houses of kings!

26 `But what have ye gone forth to see? a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet:

27 this is he concerning whom it hath been written, Lo, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee;

28 for I say to you, a greater prophet, among those born of women, than John the Baptist there is not; but the least in the reign of God is greater than he.'

29 And all the people having heard, and the tax-gatherers, declared God righteous, having been baptized with the baptism of John,

30 but the Pharisees, and the lawyers, the counsel of God did put away for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

31 And the Lord said, `To what, then, shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

32 they are like to children, to those sitting in a market-place, and calling one to another, and saying, We piped to you, and ye did not dance, we mourned to you, and ye did not weep!

33 `For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and ye say, He hath a demon;

34 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and ye say, Lo, a man, a glutton, and a wine drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners;

35 and the wisdom was justified from all her children.'

36 And a certain one of the Pharisees was asking him that he might eat with him, and having gone into the house of the Pharisee he reclined (at meat),

37 and lo, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having known that he reclineth (at meat) in the house of the Pharisee, having provided an alabaster box of ointment,

38 and having stood behind, beside his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with the tears, and with the hairs of her head she was wiping, and was kissing his feet, and was anointing with the ointment.

39 And the Pharisee who did call him, having seen, spake within himself, saying, `This one, if he were a prophet, would have known who and of what kind `is' the woman who doth touch him, that she is a sinner.'

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, `Simon, I have something to say to thee;' and he saith, `Teacher, say on.'

41 `Two debtors were to a certain creditor; the one was owing five hundred denaries, and the other fifty;

42 and they not having `wherewith' to give back, he forgave both; which then of them, say thou, will love him more?'

43 And Simon answering said, `I suppose that to whom he forgave the more;' and he said to him, `Rightly thou didst judge.'

44 And having turned unto the woman, he said to Simon, `Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house; water for my feet thou didst not give, but this woman with tears did wet my feet, and with the hairs of her head did wipe;

45 a kiss to me thou didst not give, but this woman, from what `time' I came in, did not cease kissing my feet;

46 with oil my head thou didst not anoint, but this woman with ointment did anoint my feet;

47 therefore I say to thee, her many sins have been forgiven, because she did love much; but to whom little is forgiven, little he doth love.'

48 And he said to her, `Thy sins have been forgiven;'

49 and those reclining with him (at meat) began to say within themselves, `Who is this, who also doth forgive sins?'

50 and he said unto the woman, `Thy faith have saved thee, be going on to peace.'


Luke 7:1-50 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And when he had completed all his words in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's bondman who was dear to him was ill and about to die;

3 and having heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, begging him that he might come and save his bondman.

4 But they, being come to Jesus, besought him diligently, saying, He is worthy to whom thou shouldest grant this,

5 for he loves our nation, and himself has built the synagogue for us.

6 And Jesus went with them. But already, when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent to him friends, saying to him, Lord, do not trouble thyself, for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof.

7 Wherefore neither did I count myself worthy to come to thee. But say by a word and my servant shall be healed.

8 For *I* also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers, and I say to this [one], Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bondman, Do this, and he does [it].

9 And Jesus hearing this wondered at him, and turning to the crowd following him said, I say to you, Not even in Israel have I found so great faith.

10 And they who had been sent returning to the house found the bondman, who was ill, in good health.

11 And it came to pass afterwards he went into a city called Nain, and many of his disciples and a great crowd went with him.

12 And as he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she a widow, and a very considerable crowd of the city [was] with her.

13 And the Lord, seeing her, was moved with compassion for her, and said to her, Weep not;

14 and coming up he touched the bier, and the bearers stopped. And he said, Youth, I say to thee, Wake up.

15 And the dead sat up and began to speak; and he gave him to his mother.

16 And fear seized on all, and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet has been raised up amongst us; and God has visited his people.

17 And this report went out in all Judaea concerning him, and in all the surrounding country.

18 And the disciples of John brought him word concerning all these things:

19 and John, having called two of his disciples, sent to Jesus, saying, Art *thou* he that is coming, or are we to wait for another?

20 But the men having come to him said, John the baptist has sent us to thee, saying, Art *thou* he that is coming, or are we to wait for another?

21 In that hour he healed many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and to many blind he granted sight.

22 And Jesus answering said to them, Go, bring back word to John of what ye have seen and heard: that blind see, lame walk, lepers are cleansed, deaf hear, dead are raised, poor are evangelized;

23 and blessed is whosoever shall not be offended in me.

24 And the messengers of John having departed, he began to speak to the crowds concerning John: What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken by the wind?

25 But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in delicate garments? Behold, those who are in splendid clothing and live luxuriously are in the courts of kings.

26 But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and [what is] more excellent than a prophet.

27 This is he concerning whom it is written, Behold, *I* send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee;

28 for I say unto you, Among them that are born of women a greater [prophet] is no one than John [the baptist]; but he who is a little one in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29 (And all the people who heard [it], and the tax-gatherers, justified God, having been baptised with the baptism of John;

30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rendered null as to themselves the counsel of God, not having been baptised by him.)

31 To whom therefore shall I liken the men of this generation, and to whom are they like?

32 They are like children sitting in the market-place, and calling one to another and saying, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

33 For John the baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and ye say, He has a demon.

34 The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and ye say, Behold an eater and wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and sinners;

35 and wisdom has been justified of all her children.

36 But one of the Pharisees begged him that he would eat with him. And entering into the house of the Pharisee he took his place at table;

37 and behold, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, and knew that he was sitting at meat in the house of the Pharisee, having taken an alabaster box of myrrh,

38 and standing at his feet behind [him] weeping, began to wash his feet with tears; and she wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the myrrh.

39 And the Pharisee who had invited him, seeing it, spoke with himself saying, This [person] if he were a prophet would have known who and what the woman is who touches him, for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said to him, Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. And he says, Teacher, say [it].

41 There were two debtors of a certain creditor: one owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty;

42 but as they had nothing to pay, he forgave both of them [their debt]: [say,] which of them therefore will love him most?

43 And Simon answering said, I suppose he to whom he forgave the most. And he said to him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And turning to the woman he said to Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house; thou gavest me not water on my feet, but *she* has washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with her hair.

45 Thou gavest me not a kiss, but *she* from the time I came in has not ceased kissing my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint, but *she* has anointed my feet with myrrh.

47 For which cause I say to thee, Her many sins are forgiven; for she loved much; but he to whom little is forgiven loves little.

48 And he said to her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49 And they that were with [them] at table began to say within themselves, Who is this who forgives also sins?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace.


Luke 7:1-50 World English Bible (WEB)

1 After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 A certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death.

3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.

4 When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to do this for him,

5 for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us."

6 Jesus 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.

7 Therefore I didn't even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.

8 For 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."

9 When 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."

10 Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.

11 It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him.

12 Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.

13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, "Don't cry."

14 He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!"

15 He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

16 Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited his people!"

17 This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.

18 The disciples of John told him about all these things.

19 John, 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?"

20 When 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?'"

21 In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.

22 Jesus 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.

23 Blessed is he who is not offended by me."

24 When 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?

25 But 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.

26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

27 This 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 the Kingdom of God is greater than he."

29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John's baptism.

30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.

31 But the Lord said,{So reads TR. MT omits "But the Lord said,"} "To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like?

32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We piped to you, and you didn't dance. We mourned, and you didn't weep.'

33 For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'

34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'

35 Wisdom is justified by all her children."

36 One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat at the table.

37 Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment.

38 Standing 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.

39 Now 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."

40 Jesus 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.

42 When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?"

43 Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly."

44 Turning 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.

45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."

48 He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50 He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."


Luke 7:1-50 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 After he had come to the end of all his words in the hearing of the people, he went into Capernaum.

2 And a certain captain had a servant who was very dear to him; this servant was ill and near to death.

3 And when news of Jesus came to his ears, he sent to him rulers of the Jews, requesting that he would come and make his servant well.

4 And they, when they came to Jesus, made their request warmly, saying,

5 It is right for you to do this for him, because he is a friend to our nation, and himself has put up a Synagogue for us.

6 And Jesus went with them. And when he was not far from the house, the man sent friends to him, saying, Lord, do not give yourself trouble: for I am not important enough for you to come into my house:

7 And I had the feeling that I was not even good enough to come to you: but say the word only, and my servant will be well.

8 For I, myself, am a man under authority, having men under me; and I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.

9 And when these things were said to Jesus, he was surprised, and, turning to the mass of people coming after him, said, I have not seen such great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And when those who were sent came back to the house they saw that the servant was well.

11 And it came about, after a little time, that he went to a town named Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great number of people.

12 Now when he came near the door of the town, a dead man was being taken out, the only son of his mother, who was a widow: and a great number of people from the town were with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had pity on her and said to her, Be not sad.

14 And he came near, and put his hand on the stretcher where the dead man was: and those who were moving it came to a stop. And he said, Young man, I say to you, Get up.

15 And the dead man got up, and words came from his lips. And he gave him to his mother.

16 And fear came on all, and they gave praise to God, saying, A great prophet is among us: and, God has given thought to his people.

17 And this story about him went through all Judaea and the places round about.

18 And the disciples of John gave him an account of all these things.

19 Then John sent two of his disciples to the Lord, saying, Are you he who is to come, or are we waiting for another?

20 And when the men came to him they said, John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, Are you he who is to come, or are we waiting for another?

21 At that time, he made a number of people free from their diseases and their pains, and from evil spirits; and to others who were blind he gave back the use of their eyes.

22 And answering them he said, Go back and give news to John of what you have seen, and the things which have come to your ears; the blind now see, those who had no power in their legs are walking, lepers are made clean, those who had no hearing now have their ears open, dead men come to life again, and the poor have the good news given to them.

23 And a blessing will be on him who has no doubts about me.

24 And when the men who were sent by John had gone away, he said to the people, about John, What did you go out into the waste land to see? a tall stem moving in the wind?

25 But what did you go out to see? a man in soft clothing? See now, those who have beautiful clothing and delicate food are in kings' houses.

26 But what did you go out to see? a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

27 This is he of whom it has been said, See, I send my servant before your face, who will make ready your way before you.

28 I say to you, Among all the sons of women, not one is greater than John: but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29 (And all the people, and the tax-farmers, to whom John had given baptism, when they had knowledge of these things, gave glory to God.

30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were against the purpose of God for themselves, not having had his baptism.)

31 What comparison am I to make of the men of this generation? what are they like?

32 They are like children who are seated in the market-place, crying out to one another, and saying, We made music for you, but you did not take part in the dance; we gave cries of sorrow, but you were not sad.

33 For John the Baptist came, taking no food or drink, and you say, He has an evil spirit.

34 The Son of man came feasting, and you say, Here is a lover of food and wine, a friend of tax-farmers and sinners.

35 But wisdom is judged to be right by all her children.

36 And one of the Pharisees made a request that he would take a meal with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house and took his seat at the table.

37 And there was a woman in the town who was a sinner; and when she had news that he was a guest in the Pharisee's house, she took a bottle of perfume,

38 And went in and took her place at the back of him, near his feet, weeping, so that his feet were washed with the drops from her eyes, and with her hair she made them dry, and kissing his feet she put the perfume on them.

39 Now when the Pharisee in whose house he was saw it, he said to himself, This man, if he was a prophet, would be conscious what sort of woman this is who has put her hands on him, that she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus, answering, said, Simon, I have something to say to you. And he said, Master, say on.

41 And he said, Two men were in debt to a certain man of business: one had a debt of five hundred pence, and the other of fifty.

42 When they were unable to make payment, he made the two of them free of their debts. Which of them, now, will have the greater love for him?

43 Simon, in answer, said, It seems he whose debt was greater. And he said, Your decision is right.

44 And turning to the woman he said to Simon, You see this woman? I came into your house; you did not give me water for my feet: but she has been washing my feet with the drops from her eyes, and drying them with her hair.

45 You did not give me a kiss: but she, from the time when I came in, has gone on kissing my feet.

46 You put no oil on my head: but she has put perfume on my feet.

47 And so I say to you, She will have forgiveness for her sins which are great in number, because of her great love: but he who has small need of forgiveness gives little love.

48 And he said to her, You have forgiveness for your sins.

49 And those who were seated at table with him said to themselves, Who is this who even gives forgiveness of sins?

50 And he said to the woman, By your faith you have salvation; go in peace.

Commentary on Luke 7 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible


Verse 1

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.


Verse 2

And a certain centurion's servant,.... The same that Matthew makes mention of, Matthew 8:5; see Gill on Matthew 8:5. See Gill on Matthew 8:6.

who was dear unto him; to the centurion, being an honest, upright, faithful, and obliging servant; as Tabi was to Rabban Gamaliel, of whom his master saidF12T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 16. 2. ,

"Tabi my servant, is not as other servants, כשר היה, "he is upright".'

was sick: of a palsy; see Matthew 8:6,

and ready to die; in all appearance his case was desperate, and there was no help for him by any human means, which makes the following cure, the more remarkable.


Verse 3

And when he heard of Jesus,.... That he was come, as the Ethiopic version adds, into the city of Capernaum; or of his miracles, which he had done there, and elsewhere:

he sent unto him the elders of the Jews: in whom he had an interest, judging himself, being a Gentile, very unworthy and unfit to go himself, and ask a favour of so great a person as Christ was, such was his modesty and humility. These elders he sent, were not the more ancient inhabitants of the city, called זקני עם הארץ, "the elders of, or among the common people", as distinguished from זקני תורה, "the elders of the law", or those that were old in knowledge; of both which it is said by R. Simeon ben AchasiaF13Misn. Kenim, c. 3. sect. 6. , that

"the elders of the common people, when they grow old, their knowledge fails in them, as it is said, John 12:20 but so it is not with the "elders of the law"; but when they grow old, their knowledge rests in them, as it is said, Job 12:12.'

But these were either some principal officers of the city, called the elders of the people elsewhere; particularly, who were members of the sanhedrim; for as elders, when they design the elders in Jerusalem, mean the great sanhedrimF14T. Hieros. Sota, fol. 23. 3. there; so elders, in other places, intend the sanhedrim, consisting of twenty one persons, or the bench of three; and such were these, the centurion sent to Christ:

beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant: he besought him most earnestly by these messengers, that he would come to his house, and cure his servant of the palsy, by laying his hands on him, or commanding the distemper off, by a word speaking; or in what way he should think fit, for he made no doubt that he was able to heal him.


Verse 4

And when they came to Jesus,.... To that part of the city where he was; either at Peter's house, where he used to be when in this place; or rather it might be as he was passing along the streets, that they came up to him

they besought him instantly; or with great vehemence and importunity; very studiously and carefully they urged the case, and pressed him much to it:

saying, he was worthy for whom he should do this; or, "for whom thou shouldst do this", as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, and some copies; and which reading connects the words best. This speech of theirs savours of their "pharisaic" tenet and notion of merit, and is very different from the sense the poor centurion had of himself.


Verse 5

For he loveth our nation,.... The Jewish nation, which was Christ's nation, as well as theirs, he being a Jew; see John 18:35. This they mention as an argument to induce him to have a regard to the centurion, though he was a Gentile; since he was a friend of the Jews, and well affected and disposed to them, which was very rare: it was not common for the Gentiles to love the Jews, any more than the Jews the Gentiles; there was an hatred, yea, an enmity between them; but this man, very likely, was a proselyte to their religion, as the following instance seems to show:

and he hath built us a synagogue; at his own private charge, and by the assistance of his soldiers under him, whom he might employ in this work: sometimes a single person built a synagogue at his own expense, and gave it to the citizens; of which the Jews say,F15Piske Harosh Megilia, c. 4. art. 1. .

"if a man builds an house, and afterwards devotes it to a synagogue, it is as a synagogue.'


Verse 6

Then Jesus went with them,.... The elders of the Jews, towards the centurion's house, after hearing their request, and their reasons for it; and that without any reluctancy, he at once complied, made no hesitation, or difficulty about it, but went with them very freely:

and when he was now not far from the house; of the centurion, where his servant lay sick; he having some notice of his coming, and of his being near his house, in his great humility, and being conscious to himself of his unworthiness to have such a person under his roof, sent messengers to prevent him:

the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; or do not fatigue thyself by coming to the house, stop, go no further;

for I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof: he might know full well the law of the Jews, that it was not lawful for a Jew to go into the house of an uncircumcised Gentile; and though he might be a proselyte of righteousness, and so his house was free of entrance; yet considering his own meanness, and the greatness of Christ, who was become so famous for his doctrines and miracles, he thought it too great a stoop for Christ to come into his house, and too high a favour for him to enjoy.


Verse 7

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee,.... In person; therefore he sent the elders of the Jews to him first, and now some of his friends, who delivered these words in his name:

but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed; speak but the word only, rebuke the distemper, command it off, and it will be gone; so great was his faith in the power of Christ.


Verse 8

For I also am a man set under authority,.... Of the Roman senate; "or belonging to the emperor", as the Arabic version renders it; and under the command of a tribune, as a centurion was: so that this is not an amplification, but a diminution of his office; and his sense is, that even he who was but an inferior officer, yet had such power as after related:

having under me soldiers; an hundred, or more:

and I say unto one, go, and he goeth, and to another, come, and he cometh, and to my servant, do this, and he doth it; as this his servant used to do, and whom he may intend, who now lay sick, and therefore was dear unto him. His meaning is, that Christ could as easily command, and call off a distemper, add it would obey him, as he could command obedience from his soldiers and servant, and have it, and more so.


Verse 9

When Jesus heard these things,.... Which the friends of the centurion related from him, and in his name; or which he himself delivered, coming up to Christ after them:

he marvelled at him; at his great humility and modesty, and the strength of his faith, and his manner of reasoning:

and turned him about; from him, and his friends:

and said unto the people that followed him; from the mount to Capernaum, and as he was passing along the streets:

I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel; or "among the Israelites", as the Syriac; or "among the children of Israel", as the Persic; or "in all Israel", as the Arabic version reads, as he did in this single Gentile; See Gill on Matthew 8:10.


Verse 10

And they that were sent,.... Both the elders of the Jews, and the friends of the centurion:

returning to the house; of the centurion, where his servant lay, and from whence they came:

found the servant whole that had been sick; for he was healed directly, as soon as the centurion had expressed his faith, and Christ had declared that it should be according to it, Matthew 8:13.


Verse 11

And it came to pass the day after,.... The Vulgate Latin reads "afterward", not expressing any day, as in Luke 8:1, but the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, read to the same sense as we, the day after, the next day, on the morrow, after he had cured the centurion's servant in Capernaum, where he staid all night:

that he went into a city called Naim; which JeromF16Tom. 1. ad Marcellum, fol. 44. B. & Epitaph. Paulae. fol. 60. A. places near Mount Tabor, and the river Kison. TheF17Bereshit Rabba, sect. 98. fol. 86. 1. Jews speak of a Naim in, the tribe of Issachar, so called from its pleasantness, and which seems to be the same place with this. The Persic version reads it, "Nabetis", or "Neapolis", the same With Sychem in Samaria, but without reason:

and many of his disciples went with him; not only the twelve, but many others:

and much people; from Capernaum, and other parts, that followed him to see his miracles, or for one end or another, though, they did not believe in him; at least these were only hearers, and had, not entered themselves among the disciples,


Verse 12

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city,.... Of Naim:

behold: there was a dead man carried out; of the city; for they, used not to bury in cities, but in places without, and at some distance: the burying places of the Jews were not near, their citiesF18T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 80. 2. Gloss. ; and they had different ways of carrying them out to be buried, according to their different ages: a child under a month old was carried out in the bosom of a person; if a full month old, in a little coffin, which they carried in their arms; one of a twelve month old was carried in a little coffin on the shoulder; and one of three years old on a bier or bed,F19T. Moed Katon, fol. 24. 1, 2. & Kiddashin, fol. 80. 2. Massech. Semachot, c. 3. sect. 2, 3. Maimon. Hilch. Ebel, c. 12. sect. 10, 11. and so upwards; and in this manner was this corpse carried out: who was

the only son of his mother; hence the sorrow and mourning were the greater; see Zechariah 12:10

and she was a widow; and if she had been supported by her son, her loss was very considerable; and having neither husband, nor son, to do for her, her case was very affecting:

and much people of the city was with her; according to the age of persons was the company that attended them to the grave: if it was an infant, not a month old, it was buried by one woman, and two men, but not by one man, and two women; if a month old, by men and women; and whoever was carried out on a bier or bed, many mourned for him; and whoever was known to many, many accompanied himF20Ut in locis supra citatis. ; and which was the case this dead man: he seems to have been well known and respected by the company that attended him to his grave; of these some were bearers, and these had their deputies, and these again theirs; for as they carried their dead a great way, they were obliged often to change their bearers; and of the company, some went before the bier, and others went after itF21Vid Misn. Beracot, c. 3. sect. 1. : besides, what served to increase company at a funeral was, that it was looked upon as an act of kindness and mercy to follow a corpse to the graveF23Maimon. in Misn. Peah, c. 1. sect. 1. ; to which may be added, and what must always tend to increase the number at such a time, that, according to the Jewish canonsF24Piske Tosaphot Megilla, art. 106. T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 27. 2. .

"it was forbidden to do any work at the time a dead man was buried, even one of the common people.'


Verse 13

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her,.... Knowing her case, that she was a widow, and had lost her only son:

and said unto her, weep not; signifying, that he would help her, which he did without being asked to do it, as usual in other cases.


Verse 14

And he came and touched the bier,.... Or "bed", as the Syriac version renders it; and such was מטה, "the bier", or bed, on which one of three years old, and upward, was carried as above mentioned: so that on which Herod was carried to his grave is called κλινη "a bed", by JosephusF25De Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 33. sect. 11. . As for the bed, or bier, of what sort it was that they carried out their dead upon, take the following account:F26T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 27. 1, 2. .

"formerly the rich carried out (their dead) upon a bed called Dargash, (which is saidF1T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 5. 4. to be a bed that was not platted with ropes, and is called a bed of fortuneF2T. Bab. Nedarim, fol. 56. 2. ,) and the poor carried out (their dead) upon one that was called Celicah, (or Celibah, as sometimes read; and this was made in the form of an iron horn, on which they bound the corpse, that it might not fall; and it was called so, because it was made like a coup of birdsF3R. Sampson & Bartenora in Misn. Para, c. 12. sect. 9. as the word is used in Jeremiah 5:27) and the poor, were made ashamed; and therefore they ordered that all should carry out (their dead) on a Celicah, for the honour of the poor.'

To this Christ came near and touched: not that by his touching of that, the dead should be raised; but this he did as a signal, that the bearers should stop. The JewsF4Bereshit Rabba, sect. 100. fol. 87. 4. say, one of the charges that Jacob gave to his sons before his death, was, to:

"take care (says he) that no uncircumcised person, במטתי יגע, touch my bed, or "bier", lest the Shekinah remove from me; but, according to this order, do unto me, carry me, three on the north, three on the south, three on the east, and three on the west, &c.'

From whence it should seem, that a circumcised person, as Christ was, might touch a bier without offence, or hurt, and without contracting any ceremonial pollution: to touch a dead body, or the bone of man, or a grave, was forbidden by the law, Numbers 19:16 and so, according to the traditions of the eldersF5Misn. Oholot, c. 2. sect. 4. , the stone that was rolled at the mouth of the sepulchre, and the, side of the sepulchre, defiled by touching; but I do not find that touching a bier was ever forbidden.

And they that bare him stood still: these are they that are called גושאי המטה "the bearers of the bed", or "bier": and MaimonidesF6Hilchot. Ebel, c. 4. sect. 2. 3. says,

"they carry the dead upon their shoulders to the grave; and the bearers of the bier are forbidden to put on their sandals, lest the latchet of any one of them should fail, and should be found to hinder him doing his duty.'

And elsewhere it is saidF7Misn. Beracot, c. 3. sect. 1. ,

"the bearers of the bed, or bier, and their deputies, and their deputies' deputies, both before the bier and after it, find whoever the bier stood in need of, were free;'

i.e. from reading the Shema, or, "hear, O Israel", &c. and from prayer: the reason of their having so many bearers was, because they carried the dead a great way to be buried. King Herod was carried after this manner two hundred furlongs from Jerusalem, to the castle of HerodionF8Josephus, ut supra. (De Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 33. sect. 11.) :

and he said, young man, I say unto thee, arise. The Ethiopic version adds, "and he arose": Christ spoke as one that had the keys of death and the grave; and divine power went along with his words, which raised the dead man to life; and full proof this is of the true and proper deity of Christ.


Verse 15

And he that was dead,.... That had been dead, (for he was now alive,) as it was a clear case to all his relations and friends, or they would never have brought him out to bury him:

sat up; upon the bed, or bier: and began to speak; both which, his sitting up and speaking, were plain proofs of his being brought to life:

and he delivered him to his mother; for whose sake he raised him from the dead, commiserating her case: wherefore, as Christ showed his power in raising the dead man, he discovered great humanity, kindness, and tenderness, in delivering him alive to his mother; which might be done after he came off of the bier, by taking him by the hand, and leading him to his mother, and giving him up into her arms: think what affecting scene this must be!


Verse 16

And there came a fear on all,.... That were there present, and heard, and saw what was done. Not a fear of dread, and terror, and of punishment, as in devils and wicked men; but a fear and reverence of the divine majesty, whose power and presence they were sensible must be there at that time:

and they glorified God; they praised him, and gave thanks to him, ascribing this amazing action to divine power, and gave God the glory of it; and blessed him for the Messiah, who was sent unto them, as they concluded Jesus to be, from this wonderful instance:

saying, that a great prophet is risen up among us; even that great prophet Moses wrote of, and said should be raised up from among the children of Israel, Deuteronomy 18:15 and that God hath visited his people. The Arabic version adds, "for good". For God sometimes visits for evil, in a wave of wrath and sore displeasure; but this was a visitation for good: they concluded that God had looked upon them with a look of love, and had a gracious regard to them, and had sent them the Messiah, who, they hoped, would deliver them from the Roman yoke; as he had formerly looked upon, and visited their fathers, and sent a redeemer to them, to deliver them from Egyptian bondage. The Ethiopic version renders it, "and God hath mercy on his people"; and the Persic version, "God hath looked upon his people, and hath taken care of them."


Verse 17

And this rumour of him,.... Or the report of this surprising miracle in raising a dead man to life, that was carrying to his grave,

went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about; not only Judea, and the several cities, towns, and villages in it, but all the country round about it, especially Galilee. The Persic version reads, "all countries which are round about Jordan"; see Matthew 3:5.


Verse 18

And the disciples of John showed him of all these things. The miracles that were wrought by Christ; particularly the healing of the centurion's servant, and the raising from the dead the widow of Naim's son, and what fame and reputation Christ got every where by his doctrine, and mighty works. John was now in prison, when these his disciples came and related these things to him; see Matthew 11:2 and they spoke of them, not as commending Christ for them; but as envying, grieving, and complaining, that he carried away all the honour and glory from John their master, for whom they had the greatest regard.


Verse 19

And John calling unto him two of his disciples,.... Which were a sufficient number to be sent on an errand, to ask a question, and report the answer, or bear witness to any fact they should see, or hear done.

Sent them unto Jesus, saying, art thou he that should come, or look we for another? not that he doubted that Jesus was the Messiah; nor was it for his own satisfaction so much that he sent these disciples of his with this question, but for theirs; and to remove all doubt and hesitation from them about Christ.


Verse 20

When the men were come to him,.... To Jesus; "those two men", as the Arabic version reads; "the disciples", as the Persic version; the same that John sent from the castle of Machaerus, where he was now a prisoner, to Christ, who was teaching in some city or town of Galilee:

they said, John the Baptist; so well known by his being the administrator of the ordinance of baptism:

hath sent us unto thee, saying, art thou he that should come, or look we for another? See Gill on Matthew 11:3.


Verse 21

And in that same hour,.... Or at that same time, for a precise hour is not intended: one exemplar reads, "in that day", in which these men came to Christ,

he, Jesus, as the Persic version expresses it,

cured many of their infirmities; bodily weaknesses and disorders: and plagues; which were inflicted on them as scourges and corrections for sin, very severe diseases, as epilepsies, leprosies, palsies, &c. and of evil spirits; or devils, which he dispossessed and commanded out of the bodies of men; though sometimes evil spirits, with the Jews, signify some kinds of bodily diseases: as when it is saidF9Misn. Sabbat, c. 2. sect. 5. Vid Maimon. Hilchot Gerushin, c. 2. sect. 14. .

"whoever puts out a lamp because he is afraid of Gentiles, or of thieves, or of רוח רעה, "an evil spirit", or because of a sick man that is asleep, he is free.'

Upon which Maimonides observes,

"an evil spirit they call all kinds of diseases, which, in the Arabic language, go by the name of "melancholy"; for it is one kind of the diseases mentioned, which makes a sick man to fly, and separate himself from mankind, as if he was afraid of the light, or of coming into the company of men:'

and unto many that were blind he gave sight; freely, as an act of grace and kindness, as the word signifies, without any merit, or motive, in them.


Verse 22

Then Jesus answering said unto them,.... "To the disciples", as the Persic; to both, as the Arabic: when he had wrought these cures, he turned himself to the disciples of John, and made answer to their question. The Vulgate Latin leaves out the word "Jesus", rendering it, "and he answering"; in the following words:

go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard. They had just seen many cured of infirmities, plagues, and evil spirits, and they had heard the doctrines of the Gospel preached by him; and the former were in confirmation of the latter, and both were proofs of his being the Messiah: the particulars of which follow,

how that the blind see; that is, they that had been blind, and some that were born blind received their sight, which was what was never heard of before, from the beginning of the world; and which, as it is an instance of Christ's almighty power, showing him to be God; so it was a fulfilment of a prophecy concerning him as the Messiah, who, when he came, was to open the eyes of the blind, Isaiah 35:5 and this was true, not only in a corporeal, but in a spiritual sense: and generally so it was, that when the blind received their bodily sight, they also received their spiritual sight; and both were evidences of the true Messiahship of our Lord Jesus.

The lame walk; these were among those who were cured of their infirmities; and this also was prophesied of the Messiah, and was now accomplished by Jesus, that "the lame man" should "leap as an hart", Isaiah 35:6 and so was to be considered by John, and his disciples, as another proof of his being the true Messiah:

the lepers are cleansed; of this sort were they who were cured of their plagues: the leprosy was called a plague; hence the treatise of leprosy, in the Misna, is, by the Jews, called Negaim, or "plagues".

The deaf hear; so in the above prophecy in Isaiah, it is predicted, that "the ears of the deaf should be unstopped" in the days of the Messiah; and which therefore must be considered as a further confirmation of Jesus being he that was to come, and that another was not to be looked for.

The dead are raised: whether there were any raised at this time, or no, is not certain; but certain it is, that there had been one raised from the dead, if not in the presence of these disciples, yet just before they came to Christ, of which John had been informed by some of his disciples, if not these; and of which an account is given before in this chapter, and which is what none but the mighty God can do.

To the poor the Gospel is preached: it was preached both by the poor, the disciples of Christ, and to the poor, mean, base, and illiterate among the Jews; and also to the poor, meek, and lowly in heart, as was prophesied should be, by the Messiah, Isaiah 61:1 so that put all together, here were undoubted proofs, and a full demonstration, that Jesus was the Messiah; See Gill on Matthew 11:4. See Gill on Matthew 11:5.


Verse 23

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. The Arabic version renders it, "blessed is he that doubts not of me". The Persic and Ethiopic versions both add to the text, the former rendering the words thus, "blessed is he that is not brought into offence and doubt concerning me"; and the latter thus, "blessed are they who do not deny me, and are not offended in me": particular regard is had to the disciples of John, who both doubted of Christ as the Messiah, and were offended at his popularity and success; See Gill on Matthew 11:6.


Verse 24

And when the messengers of John were departed,.... The Syriac and Persic versions read, "the disciples of John"; and the Arabic version, "the two disciples of John"; the two that he sent, when they were gone back with the answer of Christ;

he, "Jesus", as the Persic version expresses it,

began to speak unto the people concerning John; not caring to say any thing about him to the messengers, or whilst they were present, lest he should be charged with flattery; See Gill on Matthew 11:7.

What went ye into the wilderness for to see? a reed shaken with the wind? an inconsistent, wavering, and unstable man? if so, they were greatly mistaken; or the motions and gesture of the man? See Gill on Matthew 11:7.


Verse 25

But what went you out for to see?.... If not his air and action, what was it? was it his apparel and dress? was it to see

a man clothed in soft raiment? If this was the case, their labour was in vain, and they had their walk for nothing; for John was clothed with camels' hair, rough and undressed, and was girt with a leathern girdle; there was nothing in his person, mien, and garb, that was attractive:

they which are gorgeously, apparelled; or richly clothed, as John was not:

and live delicately; in the most elegant manner, and on the richest dainties, as John did not, his food being locusts and wild honey:

are in kings' courts; and not in a wilderness, where John; came preaching.


Verse 26

But what went ye out for to see?.... What led your curiosity to go into the wilderness after him, since it could not be any of the above things? was it to see

a prophet? which was the case; for John was a prophet, and was known to be one; and the fame of him, as such, drew vast numbers to see and hear him, there not having been a prophet among the Jews, for some hundreds of years:

yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet; not that he was the prophet Moses did say should come; nor was he the priest that should arise with the "Urim" and "Thummim", that the "Tirshatha", Nehemiah spoke of; nor was he the king Messiah; but he was his forerunner, he saw him and baptized him, and so was greater than any of the prophets that went before him.


Verse 27

This is he of whom it is written,.... In Malachi 3:1. See Gill on Matthew 11:10. See Gill on Mark 1:2.


Verse 28

For I say unto you----here is not a greater prophet,.... The word "prophet" is left out in the Arabic and Ethiopic versions, as in Matthew 11:11. See Gill on Matthew 11:11.


Verse 29

And all the people that heard him,.... Either Christ saying these things in commendation of John, and gave their assent to them, and showed their approbation of them, having been baptized by him; or rather, the people that had heard John preach the doctrines of repentance and faith, and of baptism; for these words seem rather to be the words of Christ, relating the success of John's ministry among different persons:

and the publicans justified God; even those wicked men, who were before profligate and abandoned sinners, when they came under John's ministry, were so wrought upon by the power and grace of God through it, that they approved of, and applauded the wisdom, goodness, and grace of God, in sending such a prophet as John; in qualifying him in the manner he did, and giving in him a commission to preach such doctrines, and administer such an ordinance as he did: and this their approbation of the divine conduct, and their thankfulness for the same, they testified by their

being baptized with the baptism of John; they expressed their sentiments by their obedience; they declared it was right in God to institute such an ordinance, and for John to administer it; and that it became them to submit to it, as a part of righteousness to be fulfilled; they hereby signified, that they thought that it was agreeable to the nature of God, who is holy, just, and good, suitable to the Gospel dispensation, and very fit and proper for them.


Verse 30

But the Pharisees and lawyers,.... Or Scribes, as the Syriac and Persic versions read; for the Scribes and lawyers were the same sort of persons. The Ethiopic version calls them, "the Scribes of the city": these "rejected the counsel of God against themselves"; against their own advantage, to their hurt and detriment; since by their impenitence and unbelief, and through their rejection of Christ and his forerunner, and the Gospel and the ordinances of it, they brought ruin and destruction, both temporal and eternal, upon themselves: or "towards themselves", or "unto them"; that is, they "rejected the command of God unto them", as the Arabic version renders it: for by "the counsel of God" here, is not meant his purpose, intention, and design, with respect to these persons, which was not, nor never is frustrated; but the precept of God, and so the Ethiopic version renders it,

they despised the command of God: that is, the ordinance of baptism, which was of God, and the produce of his counsel and wisdom, as the whole scheme, and all the ordinances of the Gospel are, and not the invention of men: or they rejected this "in themselves", as it may be rendered, and is by the Syriac and Persic versions; not openly and publicly, for they were afraid of the people, but inwardly and privately, and which their actions and conduct declared:

being not baptized of him; of John: by their neglect of this ordinance, they testified their aversion to it, and rejection of it.


Verse 31

And the Lord said,.... This clause is not in the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions, nor in some copies, nor in Beza's most ancient copy; and being omitted, more clearly shows, that the two former verses are the words of Christ, and not an observation the evangelist makes, on the different behaviour of Christ's hearers, upon the commendation he had given of John:

whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation; or "to what men shall I liken them", as the Persic version: the phrase "men of this generation", is Rabbinical; so דרא ההוא אושי, the men of that "generation", are more beautiful in work than these, says the Targumist on Ecclesiastes 7:11. "And to what are they like?" To that which follows.


Verse 32

They are like to children,.... The Pharisees and lawyers, who rejected the counsel of God, and the baptism of John, were like to "children"; not for innocence, simplicity, meekness, and humility; their characters were the reverse; but rather, for their ignorance, and want of understanding, their folly and weakness; nor are they here compared to the children that piped and mourned, but to those surly and ill natured ones, who made no answer to those that did. They, together with Christ, and John the Baptist, are in general likened to children,

sitting in the market place; where children were wont to be, there being a variety of persons and things to be seen; and which may design the temple, or the synagogues, or any place of concourse, where the Pharisees met, with John, Christ, and their disciples:

and calling one to another, and saying; they that were good natured, and more disposed to mirth and innocent diversions:

we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept: they imitated the pipers at weddings, expecting their companions would have danced, as was usually done by the others, when the pipe was played upon; and they mimicked the mourning women at funerals, expecting their fellows would have made as though they had wept; whereas they would do neither, showing a dislike both to the one and to the other. The children that imitated the pipers, represent Christ and his disciples, who delivered the joyful sound of the Gospel; and the children that acted the part of the mourners, signify John the Baptist, and his disciples, who preached the doctrine of repentance; and the children that would not join with, nor make any answer to the one, or the other, intend the Scribes and Pharisees, who were not pleased with either of them, as the following words show; See Gill on Matthew 11:16. See Gill on Matthew 11:17.


Verse 33

For John the Baptist,.... Who is designed by the children that mourned in the above simile, with whom his character and conduct agree; he preached very mournful doctrine, delivered it in a very solemn and awful manner, and lived a very austere life, and fasted much, as did also his disciples. The word "Baptist" is here added by Luke, which Matthew has not, to distinguish him from others; and it may be, because he had just spoke of his baptism. The Persic version only reads, "the Baptist"; of him our Lord says, that he

came neither eating bread, nor drinking wine; which were the common food and drink of men, but his diet were locusts and wild honey, and from this he often abstained; nor would he attend festivals and entertainments, or be free and sociable with men: "bread" and "wine" are here mentioned, which are not in Matthew:

and ye say, he hath a devil; is mad, or melancholy; for madness and melancholy, or the hypochondriac disorder, was by them sometimes imputed to a diabolical possession, and influence, as the cause of it; and though these men pretended to great austerity of life, and frequent fastings, yet John was too abstemious for them, and they could not agree with his doctrine nor method of living; See Gill on Matthew 12:18.


Verse 34

The son of man is come eating and drinking,.... That is, eating bread and drinking wine, as other people do; and shuns no man's company, goes to a wedding, dines with a Pharisee, and eats with publicans and sinners, and carries it freely and courteously to all men:

and ye say, behold a gluttonous man and a wine bibber; an epicurian, a drunkard, a mere sot, one that gives up himself to sensual pleasures:

a friend of publicans and sinners; a good fellow, a boon companion, that sits with them, and encourages them in their revellings and drunkenness: such an ill use did the Jews make of our Lord's free, harmless, and innocent conversation with men; and in such a horrid manner did they traduce and vilify him, who was holy in his nature, harmless in his life, separate from sinners, knew no sin, nor ever committed any.


Verse 35

But wisdom is justified of all her children. That is, Christ, who is the wisdom of God, and who acted the wise part, in behaving in such a free manner with all sorts of men, and even with publicans and sinners, whereby he became useful to their souls, called them to repentance, converted and saved them: and these are his children, which were given him by the Father; for whose sake he partook of flesh and blood, and whom he redeemed, that they might receive the adoption of children; and to whom, believing in him, he gives power to become the children of God: and these justify him from all such scandalous imputations, and by their lives and conversations show, that the doctrine of Christ is not a licentious one, or leads to libertinism, and indulges men in their carnal sensual lusts and pleasures; but, on the contrary, teaches them to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly: the word "all", is inserted by Luke, which is not in Matthew; signifying, that this is the universal sense and practice of all the real offspring of Christ, the sons of wisdom, who are wise to do good.


Verse 36

And one of the Pharisees,.... Whose name was Simon, Luke 7:40

Desired that he would eat with him; take a meal with him, either a dinner or a supper: this he did under a disguise of respect, and show of affection to him; though very likely with a design upon him to ensnare him, or take some advantage against him if he could; for it is certain, that he did not treat him with those civilities and ceremonies commonly used to guests; see Luke 7:44.

And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat: he made no hesitation about it, but at once accepted of his invitation, though he knew both the man and his intentions; having nothing to fear from him, and being willing to carry it courteously to all men, and give proof of what he had just now said of himself, Luke 7:34.


Verse 37

And behold, a woman in the city,.... Not Mary Magdalene, spoken of in Luke 8:2 under another character; and is a different person, who had not been taken notice of by the evangelist before; nor Mary the sister of Lazarus, who is said to anoint the feet of Christ, and wipe them with her hair, John 12:3. The character given of this woman, does not seem so well to agree with her; at least, the fact here recorded, cannot be the same with that; for this was in Galilee, and that in Bethany; this in the house of Simon the Pharisee, that in the house of Lazarus; this was some time before Christ's death, and after this he went a circuit through every city and village, that was but six days before his death, and after which he never went from those parts; nor is this account the same with the history, recorded in Matthew 26:6 for that fact was done in Bethany also, this in Galilee; that in the house of Simon: the leper, this in the house of Simon the Pharisee; that was but two days before the death of Christ, this a considerable time before; the ointment that woman poured, was poured upon his head, this upon his feet: who this woman was, is not certain, nor in what city she dwelt; it seems to be the same in which the Pharisee's house was; and was no doubt one of the cities of Galilee, as Naim, Capernaum, or some other at no great distance from these:

which was a sinner; a notorious sinner, one that was known by all to have been a person of a wicked, life and conversation; a lewd woman, a vile prostitute, an harlot, commonly reputed so: the Arabic word here used, signifies both a sinner and a whoreF11Vid. Castell. Lex. Heptaglott. col. 1195. ; and so the word, sinners, seems to be used elsewhere by Luke; see Luke 15:1 compared with Matthew 21:31. Some think she was a Gentile, Gentiles being reckoned by the Jews sinners, and the worst of sinners; but this does not appear:

when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house; having observed it herself, that he was invited by him, and went with him, or being informed of it by others,

brought an alabaster box of ointment: ointment was used to be put in vessels made of "alabaster", which kept it pure and incorrupt; and this stone was found about Damascus,F12Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 36. c. 8. so that there might be plenty of it in Judea; at least it might be easily had, and such boxes might be common; and as this woman appears to have been a lewd person, she might have this box of ointment by her to anoint herself with, that she might recommend herself to her gallants. The historianF13Aelian. var. Hist. l. 12. c. 8. reports, that

"Venus gave to Phaon an alabaster box with ointment, with which Phaon, being anointed, became the most beautiful of men, and the women of Mitylene were taken with the love of him.'

If this box had been provided with such a view; it was now used to another and different purpose.


Verse 38

And stood at his feet behind him,.... Christ lay upon a bed, or couch, as was the custom of the ancients, both Jews and others, at meals, with his feet put out behind; and between the couches and the walls of the room, there was a space for servants to wait and serve, and such are therefore said to "stand at the feet"; and the phrase is used, as descriptive of servants in waitingF14Vid Alstorphium de lectis veterum, p. 106, 107. ; and in such a situation this woman put herself, as being also ashamed and afraid to come before Christ, and look him in the face; and here she stood weeping for her sins, and melted down with the love of Christ to her soul, and at his discourse:

and began to wash his feet with tears: which fell from her eyes in such abundance upon his feet, as she stood by him that they were like a shower of rain, as the word signifies, with which his feet were as it were bathed and washed; his shoes or sandals being off, as was the custom at eating so to do, lest they should daub the couch or bed, on which they layF15Ib. p. 123, 124. . Her tears she used instead of water; for it was the custom first to wash the feet before they were anointed with oil, which she intended to do; and for which purpose she had brought with her an alabaster box of ointment: it is saidF16T. Bab. Meuachot, fol. 85. 2. of one,

"when he came home, that his maid brought him a pot of hot water, and he washed his hands and his feet in it; then she brought him a golden basin full of oil, and he dipped his hands and his feet in it, to fulfil what is said, Deuteronomy 33:24 and after they had eaten and drank, he measured out oil, &c.'

And it is: a general rule with the JewsF17T. Bab. Zebachim, fol. 26. 2. Maimon. Hilchot Biath Harnikdash, c. 5. sect. 5. ,

"that whoever anoints his feet, is obliged to washing or dipping.'

And did wipe them with the hairs of her head; which were long, and hung loose about her shoulders, it being usual and comely for women to wear long hair, 1 Corinthians 11:15. That which was her ornament and pride, and which she took great care of to nourish and put in proper form, to, render her desirable, she uses instead of a towel to wipe her Lord's feet, and her tears off of them. A like phrase is used of one by Apuleius,

"his verbis & amplexibus mollibus decantatus maritus, lachrymasque ejus suis crinibus detergens, &c.F18Metamorph. l. 5. :'

"and kissed his feet". This was no unusual practice with the Jews; we often read of itF19T. Hieros. Peah, fol. 15. 4. & Kiddushin, fol. 61. 3. T. Bab. Cetubot, fol. 49. 2. Vid. ib. fol. 63. 1. :

"R. Jonathan and R. Jannai were sitting together, there came a certain man, ונשק רגלוי, "and kissed the feet" of R. Jonathan.'

AgainF20T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol 27. 2. .

"R. Meir stood up, and Bar Chama, נשקיה אכרעיה, "kissed his knees", or "feet".'

This custom was also used by the Greeks and Romans among their civilities, and in their salutationsF21Vid. Aristophanem in vespis, p. 473. Arvian Epictet. l. 3. c. 26. & Alex. ab. Alex. Gen. Dier. l. 2. c. 19. :

and anointed them with the ointment; which she brought with her.


Verse 39

Now when the Pharisee, which had bidden him, saw it,.... Simon, who had invited Christ to eat with him, when he saw what was done by the woman, how she stood at his feet, and washed them with her tears, and wiped them with her hairs, and then kissed and anointed them:

he spoke within himself; not openly and publicly, being in good manners, though not in real respect to Christ, unwilling to affront his guest; but turned these things over in his mind, and reasoned upon them within himself:

saying, this man, if he were a prophet; as he was said, and believed to be by many, but questioned by this Pharisee:

would have known who and what manner of woman this is, that toucheth him; he took it for granted that Christ did not know this woman personally, that she was one of the city; nor her character, or "what" was "her fame", as the Syriac version renders it, which was very ill; or "her condition", as the Arabic version, she being not a religious person, but a notorious lewd one: this he concluded, from his admitting her to such nearness to him, and familiarity with him; and from hence argues within himself, that he could not be a prophet; since, according to his notion of a prophet, he must know persons and their characters; though this was not always requisite in a prophet, nor did the prophetic gift at all times show itself in this way: however, this man reasoned upon the commonly received notions of the Pharisees, both of the Messiah, the prophet that Moses said should come, and of their own conduct, and of all religious men: their notion with respect to the Messiah was, that he should be of so quick an understanding, or smell, as in Isaiah 11:3 that he should know at once who was a wicked person, and who not.

"Bar Coziba (they sayF23T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 93. 9. ) reigned two years and a half; he said to, the Rabbans, I am the Messiah; they replied to him, it is written of the Messiah, Isaiah 11:3 that he smells, or is of quick understanding and judges (the gloss on it is, he smells on a man, and judges and knows, מי ההייב, "who is a wicked man"): let us see whether he smells and judges; and when they saw that he did not smell and judge, they killed him.'

But Jesus, the true Messiah, could do so; he knew who were sinners, he knew this woman to be one, as the following account shows: and their notion with respect to the conduct of religious persons towards the common people, and those of a bad character, and which the Pharisee here suggests, was, that the touch of such persons was defiling, and therefore to be avoided: for they sayF24Maimon. in Misn. Chagiga, c. 2. sect. 7. , that

"the Pharisees, if they touched the garments of the common people, they were defiled.'

And therefore when they walked in the streets,

"they walked in the sides (of the ways), that they might not be defiled, במגע, "by the touch" of the common peopleF25Ib. Hilchot Abot Hatumaot, c. 13. sect. 8. '

For she is a sinner; a notorious one; or "that she is a sinner"; and the sense is, Christ, had he been a prophet, the Pharisee intimates, would have known that this woman was a vile creature; and he would have shown it; by his abhorrence and rejection of her; or as the Persic version adds, "would have declared her sins".


Verse 40

And Jesus answering said unto him,.... Christ being God omniscient, knew not only the character and conversation of this woman, which were publicly known by all, that knew any thing of her, but also the secret thoughts and reasonings of the Pharisee, and makes answer to them; which shows, that he was a prophet, in the sense of this man; yea, more than a prophet:

Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee; this could not be Simon Peter, Christ spoke to, as some have suggested; for the answer is made unto the Pharisee, and he is the person addressed by the name of Simon; even he, into whose house Christ entered, and now was, as appears from Luke 7:44.

And he saith, Master; or teacher, or doctor; or as the Syriac version, "Rabbi"; which was the common salutation of doctors:

say on. This was a way of speaking in use with the Jews, giving leave to proceed in a discourse; and as Christ was now a guest in this man's house, he asks leave of him, and he grants him it: so we read of R. Simeon ben GamalielF26Abot R. Nathan, c. 38. fol. 9. 2. that he said to R. Ishmael ben Elishah,

"is it thy pleasure that I should say before thee one thing? he said unto him, אמור, "say on".'

Again, R. Jochanan ben Zaccai saidF1Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 4. fol. 183. 1. to a certain governor,

"suffer me to say one thing to thee: he replied to him, אמור, "say on".'


Verse 41

There was a certain creditor,.... All the Oriental versions premise something to this. The Syriac version reads, "Jesus said unto him". The Arabic version, "then he said". The Persic version, "Jesus said"; and the Ethiopic version, "and he said to him"; and something of this kind is understood, and to be supplied in the text:

which had two debtors, the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty; these were, as the word shows, Roman "denarii" or "pence"; the former of these sums, reckoning a Roman penny at seven pence halfpenny of our money, amounted to fifteen pounds and twelve shillings and six pence; and the latter, to one pound eleven shillings and three pence; the one of these sums was ten times larger, than the other. This is a parable: by "the creditor", God is meant, to whom men owe their beings, and the preservation of them, and all the mercies of life; and are under obligation to obedience and thankfulness: hence: no man can merit any thing of God, or pay off any old debt, by a new act of obedience, since all is due to him: by the "two debtors" are meant, greater and lesser sinners: all sins are debts, and all sinners are debtors; not debtors to sin, for then it would not be criminal, but lawful to commit sin, and God must be pleased with it, which he is not, and men might promise themselves impunity, which they cannot; but they are debtors to fulfil the law, and in case of failure, are bound to the debt of punishment: and of these debtors and debts, some are greater, and others less; not but that they, are all equally sinners in Adam, and equally guilty and corrupted by his transgression; and the same seeds of sin are in the hearts of all men, and all sin is committed against God, and is a breach of his law, and is mortal, or deserving of death, even death eternal; but then as some commands are greater, and others less, so must their transgressions be: sin more immediately committed against God, is greater than that which is committed against our neighbour; and besides, the circumstances of persons and things differ, which more or less aggravate the offence.


Verse 42

And when they had nothing to pay,.... Neither the lesser nor greater debtor; for though not alike in debt, yet both insolvent: man has run out his whole stock, which the God of nature gave him, in his original creation and primitive state; and is become a bankrupt and a beggar, is poor, wretched, and miserable; he has no money, he has nothing to offer for a composition, much less for payment; he has no righteousness, and if he had, it would be nothing to pay with; since that itself, even in perfection, is due to God, and cannot discharge a former debt: sin being committed against an infinite being, is in some sense an infinite debt, and requires an infinite satisfaction, which a finite creature can never give; and he is therefore liable to a prison, and that for ever: but behold the wonderful grace of God, the creditor!

he frankly forgave them both: their whole debts, without regard to any merits of theirs, which they could not have, or any motives in them, or any conditions to be performed by them, but purely of his sovereign will, free grace, and rich mercy, though not without regard to the satisfaction of his Son; which by no means hinders the frankness of the pardon, or obscures the grace of it, but increases and illustrates it; seeing this satisfaction is of God's own finding out, providing, and accepting; and is at his own expense, and without money and price, to the debtors:

tell me therefore, which of them will love him most; or "ought to love him most", as the Ethiopic version. The Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, leave out the first part of this clause, "tell me".


Verse 43

Simon answered and said,.... Very readily, without any hesitation, not being aware of the application of it, to the instance he had been pondering in his mind:

I suppose, that he to whom he forgave most; it was his opinion, and to him a plain case, that he that owed the largest debt, and that being forgiven him fully, and freely, as he was under the greatest obligation, so as he ought, he would show the greatest love and affection to his kind and gracious creditor:

and he said unto him; that is, Jesus said, as the Syriac and Persic versions express it:

thou hast rightly judged; this is a right and true judgment of the case; it is according to the nature and truth of things, and what is obvious and clear at first sight, and which every one must agree to.


Verse 44

And he turned to the woman,.... That stood behind him at his feet,

and said to Simon, seest thou this woman? and what she has done? pointing to her, and comparing him, and her, and their actions together, whereby he might judge of the preceding parable, and how fitly it might be applied to the present case:

I entered into thine house; not of his own accord, but by the invitation of Simon, and therefore might have expected the usual civilities:

thou gavest me no water for my feet: to wash them with, no, not so much as water; a civility very common in those hot countries, where walking without stockings, and only with sandals, they needed often washing; and which was very refreshing, and was not only used to travellers and strangers, but to guests, and was usually done by the servants of the house; See Gill on Luke 7:38.

but she hath washed my feet with tears. The Persic version reads, "with the tears of her eyes"; which made a bath for his feet;

and wiped them with the hairs of her head. The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read only, "with her hair", which she used instead of a towel, when Simon neither gave him water to wash with, nor a towel to wipe with.


Verse 45

Thou gavest me no kiss,.... A token of civility among friends, when they met together on any occasion. The Jews have a sayingF2Shemot Rabba, sect. 6. fol. 91. 3, 4. , that

"all kisses are foolish, excepting three; the kiss of grandeur or dignity, as in 1 Samuel 10:1 and the kiss at parting, as in 1:14 and the kiss at meeting, as in Exodus 4:27 (of which sort this kiss may be thought to be), to which some add the kiss of consanguinity (or that used by relations to one another), as in Genesis 29:11 '

but this woman, since the time I came in. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, "since she came in"; and so two of Stephens's copies; which seems to be the more agreeable reading, seeing Christ was in Simon's house before this woman came; for she knowing that he was there, came thither after him:

hath not ceased to kiss my feet; which shows, that this action was repeated by her times without number, even ever since she came into the house.


Verse 46

Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint,.... No not with common oil, so usually done at feasts, see Psalm 23:5

but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment; even "with ointment" דבסמא, "of spices", as the Syriac version renders it. There is, throughout the whole account, an opposition between the conduct of Simon, and this woman: he gave him no common water to wash his feet with, she shed floods of tears, and with them bathed his feet, and then wiped them clean with the hairs of her head; he gave him not the usual salutation by kissing his head or lips, but she kissed his feet, and that over and over again; he did not so much as anoint his head with common oil, when she anointed his feet with costly ointment brought in an alabaster box. These several ceremonies to guests were used by their hosts, in other nations, such as washing, anointing, and kissingF3Vid. Apuleii Metamorph. i. 1. prope finem. .


Verse 47

Wherefore I say unto thee,.... Not "for this that she hath done", as the Persic version very wrongly renders it; not because she had washed Christ's feet with tears, and wiped them with her hairs, and kissed and anointed them, therefore her sins were forgiven; nor upon this account, and for those reasons did Christ say, or declare, that they were forgiven; but ου χαριν, "for this cause", or reason, he said this to Simon the Pharisee, to remove his objections, to rectify his mistakes, and stop his murmuring and complaining, by observing, that though she had been a great sinner, yet she was now not such an one as he took her to be; she was a pardoned sinner, and not that guilty and filthy creature he imagined; the guilt of all her sins was removed, and she was cleansed from all her filthiness:

her sins, which are many, are forgiven; though she was like the largest debtor in the parable, which owed five hundred pence, yet the whole score was cleared; though her sins were numerous, and attended with very aggravating circumstances, which denominated her a sinner in a very emphatic sense, a notorious one, yet they were all fully, and freely forgiven:

for she loved much; or "therefore she loved much": her great love was not the cause of the remission of her sins, but the full and free remission of her many sins, which had been, manifested to her, was the cause of her great love, and of her showing it in the manner she had done: that this is the sense of the words, is clear from the parable, and the accommodation of it to the present case, otherwise there would be no agreement. Upon relating the parable of the two debtors, Christ puts the question to Simon, which of the two it was most reasonable to think would love most? his answer is and which Christ approved of, he to whom most was forgiven; where, it is plain, that according to our Lord's sense, and even Simon's opinion of the case, that forgiveness is the cause, and love the effect; and that according as the forgiveness is of more or less, love is proportionate; and which is applied to the case in hand: this poor woman had been a great sinner; her many sins were pardoned; and therefore she expressed much love to him, from whom she had received her pardon by the above actions, and much more than Simon had done:

but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little; this is an accommodation of the other part of the parable, and has a very special respect to Simon, the Pharisee, whose debts, in his own opinion, were few or none, at least ten times less than this woman's; and he had little or no sense of the forgiveness of them, or of any obligation to Christ on that account; and therefore was very sparing of his love and respect, and even of common civilities to him.


Verse 48

And he saith unto her,.... Directing his discourse to the woman that now stood before him:

thy sins are forgiven; which was said, partly on account of the Pharisee, to let him see, that he knew this woman, what she was, and had been; that she had been a sinner, a great sinner, one that owed five hundred pence, but was now forgiven, washed, cleansed, sanctified, and justified, and therefore not to be shunned and avoided; and partly on the woman's account, that she might have a fresh discovery of the forgiveness of her sins, for her comfort under the severe censure of the Pharisee, and that her faith in it might be strengthened; as also on his own account, to show that he was not only a prophet that had extraordinary knowledge of persons, and their characters, but that he was the most high God, to whom belonged the prerogative of pardoning sin.


Verse 49

And they that sat at meat with him,.... Other Pharisees that sat at Simon's table with Christ, whom he had invited as guests, on this occasion of seeing and conversing with Jesus; or some of Simon's family, that sat down to eat with him;

began to say within themselves; that is, either thought and reasoned in their own minds, or whispered among themselves:

who is this that forgiveth sins also? who not content to transgress the traditions of the elders, by admitting a sinful woman to touch him, but assumes that to himself which is peculiar to God, to forgive sin: this they said, not as wondering at him, what manner of person he must be, that with such authority pronounced the forgiveness of sin, as Grotius thinks; but rather as offended with him, and filled with indignation against him, and so censuring and reproaching him for wickedness and blasphemy.


Verse 50

And he said to the woman,.... Notwithstanding the Pharisee's censure, both of him and her:

thy faith hath saved thee; meaning either the object of her faith, himself, who was the author of eternal salvation to her; or that she, through faith in him, had received the blessings of salvation, pardon, righteousness, and life from him, and the joys and comfort of it; and had both a right unto, and a meetness for eternal glory and happiness:

go in peace; of conscience, and serenity of mind; let nothing disturb thee; not the remembrance of past sins, which are all forgiven, nor the suggestions of Satan, who may, at one time or another, present them to view; nor the troubles and afflictions of this present life; which are all in love; nor the reproaches and censures of men of a "pharisaic" spirit: go home to thy house, and about thy business, and cheerfully perform thy duty both to God and men; and when thou hast done thy generation work, thou shalt enter into eternal peace and joy.