18 The disciples of John reported to him about all these things .
19 Summoning two of his disciples , John sent them to the Lord , saying , "Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else ?" 20 When the men came to Him, they said , "John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask , 'Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else ?' " 21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits ; and He gave sight to many who were blind . 22 And He answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard : the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT , the lame walk , the lepers are cleansed , and the deaf hear , the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 23 "Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me." 24 When the messengers of John had left , He began to speak to the crowds 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 dressed in soft clothing ? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces ! 26 "But what did you go out to see ? A prophet ? Yes , I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet . 27 "This is the one about whom it is written , ' BEHOLD , I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.' 28 "I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John ; 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 acknowledged God's justice , having been baptized with the baptism of John . 30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves , not having been baptized by John. 31 "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation , and what are they like ? 32 "They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another , and they say , 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance ; we sang a dirge , and you did not weep .' 33 "For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no 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 "Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children ."
36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 7:18-36
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.
Commentary on Luke 7:36-50
(Read Luke 7:36-50)
None can truly perceive how precious Christ is, and the glory of the gospel, except the broken-hearted. But while they feel they cannot enough express self-abhorrence on account of sin, and admiration of his mercy, the self-sufficient will be disgusted, because the gospel encourages such repenting sinners. The Pharisee, instead of rejoicing in the tokens of the woman's repentance, confined his thoughts to her former bad character. But without free forgiveness none of us can escape the wrath to come; this our gracious Saviour has purchased with his blood, that he may freely bestow it on every one that believes in him. Christ, by a parable, forced Simon to acknowledge that the greater sinner this woman had been, the greater love she ought to show to Him when her sins were pardoned. Learn here, that sin is a debt; and all are sinners, are debtors to Almighty God. Some sinners are greater debtors; but whether our debt be more or less, it is more than we are able to pay. God is ready to forgive; and his Son having purchased pardon for those who believe in him, his gospel promises it to them, and his Spirit seals it to repenting sinners, and gives them the comfort. Let us keep far from the proud spirit of the Pharisee, simply depending upon and rejoicing in Christ alone, and so be prepared to obey him more zealously, and more strongly to recommend him unto all around us. The more we express our sorrow for sin, and our love to Christ, the clearer evidence we have of the forgiveness of our sins. What a wonderful change does grace make upon a sinner's heart and life, as well as upon his state before God, by the full remission of all his sins through faith in the Lord Jesus!