71 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.)
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 7:1-30
Commentary on Luke 7:1-10
(Read Luke 7:1-10)
Servants should study to endear themselves to their masters. Masters ought to take particular care of their servants when they are sick. We may still, by faithful and fervent prayer, apply to Christ, and ought to do so when sickness is in our families. The building places for religious worship is a good work, and an instance of love to God and his people. Our Lord Jesus was pleased with the centurion's faith; and he never fails to answer the expectations of that faith which honours his power and love. The cure soon wrought and perfect.
Commentary on Luke 7:11-18
(Read Luke 7:11-18)
When the Lord saw the poor widow following her son to the grave, he had compassion on her. See Christ's power over death itself. The gospel call to all people, to young people particularly, is, Arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light and life. When Christ put life into him, it appeared by the youth's sitting up. Have we grace from Christ? Let us show it. He began to speak: whenever Christ gives us spiritual life, he opens the lips in prayer and praise. When dead souls are raised to spiritual life, by Divine power going with the gospel, we must glorify God, and look upon it as a gracious visit to his people. Let us seek for such an interest in our compassionate Saviour, that we may look forward with joy to the time when the Redeemer's voice shall call forth all that are in their graves. May we be called to the resurrection of life, not to that of damnation.
Commentary on Luke 7:19-35
(Read Luke 7:19-35)
To his miracles in the kingdom of nature, Christ adds this in the kingdom of grace, To the poor the gospel is preached. It clearly pointed out the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom, that the messenger he sent before him to prepare his way, did it by preaching repentance and reformation of heart and life. We have here the just blame of those who were not wrought upon by the ministry of John Baptist or of Jesus Christ himself. They made a jest of the methods God took to do them good. This is the ruin of multitudes; they are not serious in the concerns of their souls. Let us study to prove ourselves children of Wisdom, by attending the instructions of God's word, and adoring those mysteries and glad tidings which infidels and Pharisees deride and blaspheme.