A Centurion's Servant Healed

71 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.

Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Nain

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.

The Messengers from John the Baptist

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.

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.