Luke 7

1 When Jesus had concluded [finished speaking, ended all His sayings] His discourse [declaration, utterance] in the hearing [act of listening, audience] of the people [a group of individuals, a nation], He went [entered, came into] to Capernaum [a town in Palestine, His ministry base]. word study 2 There a [dear unto him] highly valued servant [a slave or bondservant] of a centurion [a Roman military officer] was sick [in a bad state, ill] and about [on the point of, ready] to die [to come to the end of one’s life]. word study 3 When the centurion [a Roman military officer] heard about [concerning, learned of] Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation], he sent [dispatched, commissioned] some Jewish [of Judah, a Jew] elders [respected leaders, older men] to ask [request, beseech] Him to come [to arrive, to be present] and heal [to save, to rescue] his servant [slave, bond servant]. word study 4 They came [to arrive, to appear publicly] to Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] and pleaded [to plead, to comfort] with Him earnestly [diligently, with zeal], “This man [he, the centurion] is [exists, worthy of being] worthy [deserving, suitable] to have You grant [to furnish occasion, to supply] this [he, the request], word study 5 for he loves [with esteem and goodwill] our nation [Gentiles, people] and has built [constructed, established] our synagogue [a gathering place, assembly].” word study 6 So Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] went with them [in their company, together]. But when He was not far [at a short distance, nearby] from the house [the dwelling, home], the centurion [a Roman military officer, leader of 100 men] sent friends [close associates, companions] with the message: “Lord [Master, God, the One in authority], do not trouble [disturb, bother] Yourself, for I am not worthy [sufficient, deserving] to have You come under my roof [enter my home, dwell with me]. word study 7 That is why [for this reason, therefore] I did not consider [deem, think] myself [personally, on my own] worthy [deserving, fit] to come [approach, go] to You [toward you, with you]. But just [only, simply] say [speak, command] the word [a message, Logos], and my servant [child, attendant] will be healed [restored, made whole]. word study 8 For I myself [as a human being, a man] am a man under [subject to, placed beneath] authority, with soldiers [common soldiers, warriors] under me. I tell one to go [to travel, to journey], and he goes; and another [a different one, someone else] to come, and he comes. I tell my servant [slave, one who serves] to do something, and he does it [accomplishes it, fulfills it].” word study 9 When Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] heard this [these things, this report], He marveled [was amazed, felt great wonder] at the centurion [a Roman military officer]. Turning [having turned, changing direction] to the crowd [a large group, multitude] following [accompanying, walking behind] Him, He said, “I tell you [I say to you, I declare], not even in Israel [the chosen people, God’s nation] have I found [discovered, met with] such great [this level of] faith [trust, confidence in God].” word study 10 And when the messengers [those who were sent, returning] returned [turned back] to the house [home], they found [discovered] the servant [slave] in good health [whole, being uncorrupt and true in body]. word study 11 Soon afterward [the day after, following next], Jesus went to a town [city] called Nain [a village in Galilee]. His disciples [learners, pupils] went with Him [journeying together], accompanied by a large [great, multitude] crowd [gathered people]. word study 12 As He approached [drew near to, came close to] the town gate [entrance of the city], He saw a dead man [corpse, one who had died] being carried out [borne, transported], the only son [unique, one-of-a-kind child] of his mother [parent, caregiver], and she was a widow [woman who had lost her husband, alone]. And a large crowd [multitude, great number of people] from the town [city, community] was with her [accompanied, supported]. word study 13 When the Lord [the supreme Master] saw her, He had [was moved with] compassion [to pity] on her and said, “Do not [lest] weep [to cry out loud] [mourn, be sad].” word study 14 Then He went up [came near, approached] and touched [laid his hand on, made contact with] the coffin [bier, funeral device], and those carrying [bearing, lifting] it stood still [stopped, came to a halt]. “Young man [youth, attendant],” He said [spoke, declared], “I tell [say, command] you, get up [arise, stand up]!” word study 15 And the dead man [who was lifeless] sat up [to an upright position] and began [to commence speaking] to speak [to utter words]! Then Jesus gave [bestowed] him back to his mother [the female parent]. word study 16 A sense of awe [fear, deep reverence] swept over all [every single one] of them, and they glorified [praised, honored] God [the one true deity]. “A great [mighty, powerful] prophet [one who speaks for God] has appeared [arisen, come forth] among us [in our midst]!” they said. “God [the Almighty] has visited [cared for, looked upon with favor] His people [His chosen nation, those who belong to Him]!” word study 17 And the news [report, rumor] about Jesus [the Messiah, Christ] spread [went forth, was disseminated] throughout [in all parts of] Judea [the southern region of Palestine] and all [every] the surrounding [neighboring, adjacent] region [area, territory]. word study 18 Then [and, also] John’s [the Baptist’s] disciples [learners, followers] informed [told, announced] him [John] about [concerning, regarding] all [every, everything] these things [events, circumstances]. word study 19 So John [the Baptist, a prophet] called two [a pair, a duo] of his disciples [learners, followers] and sent them to ask the Lord [Jesus, the Master], “Are You [the Messiah, the Anointed One] the One [the Expected One, the Coming One] who was to come [arrive, appear], or should we look for [await, expect] someone else [another, a different one]?” word study 20 When the men [messengers, representatives] came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist [one who baptizes, prepares the way] sent us to ask, ‘Are You [the Messiah, the Christ] the One who was to come [arrive, appear publicly], or should we look [wait, anticipate] for someone else [another, a different one]?’” word study 21 At that very [same, specific] hour Jesus [the Messiah, Savior] healed [cured, restored to health] many people of their diseases [sickenesses, infirmities], afflictions [plagues, pains], and evil [bad, malevolent] spirits, and He gave [granted, bestowed] sight [the ability to see, perception] to many who were blind [physically or spiritually unable to see]. word study 22 So He replied, “Go back and report to John [the Baptist, a prophet] what you have seen [with your eyes, perceived] and heard [with your ears, understood]: The blind [physically and spiritually] receive sight [are enabled to see, regain vision], the lame [crippled, unable to walk] walk [are able to move, have mobility], the lepers [those with a serious skin disease] are cleansed [healed, purified], the deaf [unable to hear] hear [are able to listen, understand], the dead [lifeless, without spiritual life] are raised [brought back to life, resurrected], and the good news [the gospel, a message of salvation] is preached [announced, proclaimed] to the poor [those who are humble, in need]. word study 23 Blessed [happy, supremely blissful] is the one who does not [in no way, never] fall away [stumble, be offended] on account of Me [because of my teachings, who I am]. ” word study 24 After John’s messengers [angels, heavenly beings] had left, Jesus began [to rule, commenced] to speak to the crowds [large groups of people, multitudes] about John: “What did you go out [come out, depart] into the wilderness [deserted, uninhabited place] to see? A reed [stick, plant] swaying [shaken, agitated] in the wind [air, breath]? word study 25 Otherwise [but, in contrast], what did you go out to see? A man [a human] dressed in fine [soft, luxurious] clothes? Look [behold, see], those who wear elegant [gorgeous, costly] clothing and live in luxury [self-indulgence] are found in palaces [kingly courts]. word study 26 What then did you go out to see [to perceive, to experience]? A prophet [one who speaks forth God’s will, an interpreter of divine truth]? Yes [verily, indeed], I tell you, and more than [exceeding, superior to] a prophet [a messenger of God]. word study 27 This is the one [he, the specific person] about whom it is written [in Scripture, as prophesied]: ‘Behold [see, take notice], I will send [dispatch, commission] My messenger [angel, heavenly being] ahead of You [before Your face, in Your presence], who will prepare [make ready, establish] Your way [road, path] before You [in front of You, beforehand].’ word study 28 I tell you, among those born [from their mothers, through human birth] of women [females, including mothers and wives] there is no one greater [more important, superior] than John [the Baptist, a prophet], yet even the least [smallest, most humble] in the kingdom [reign, dominion] of God [the supreme deity, Creator] is greater [more significant, esteemed] than he [John, the prophet].” word study 29 All [every single one] the people who heard [listened and understood] this, even [including] the tax collectors [publicans, those gathering public revenue], acknowledged [justified, declared righteous] God’s [the one true deity] justice [righteousness, moral integrity]. For they had received [been baptized with, immersed in] the baptism [ceremonial act of washing, immersion] of John [the Baptist, a prophet preparing the way]. word study 30 But the Pharisees [a Jewish sect that followed strict religious rules] and experts [lawyers, knowledgeable in God’s laws] in the law rejected [set aside, disregarded] God’s [the one true deity] purpose [plan, counsel] for themselves, because they had not been baptized [immersed, fully wet] by John [the Baptist, a prophet]. word study 31 “To what [which thing or situation], then [at this point, therefore], can I compare [make similar, liken] the men [human beings, people] of this [current, present] generation [group of people living at the same time]? What [what thing or situation] are they like [similar to, comparable with]? word study 32 They are like [similar in nature, comparable to] children [young ones, immature] sitting [seated, gathered] in the marketplace [a public area, a gathering place] and calling out [summoning, addressing] to one another [each other, mutually]: ‘We played the flute [piped, made music] for you, and you did not dance [move rhythmically, celebrate]; we sang a dirge [lamented, mourned], and you did not weep [cry out, lament].’ word study 33 For John [a prophetic forerunner] the Baptist came neither [without] eating bread [food, nourishment] nor [neither] drinking wine [fermented drink], and you say, ‘He has [is possessed by] a demon [an evil spirit, unclean being]!’ word study 34 The Son of Man [the Messiah, Jesus Christ] came eating [feasting, sharing meals] and drinking [consuming wine, participating in social gatherings], and you say, ‘Look at this [behold] glutton [a man who eats excessively] and drunkard [one who drinks too much wine], a friend [one who shows affection and loyalty] of tax collectors [those who gather public revenue] and sinners [those who miss the mark, violate God’s law]!’ word study 35 But wisdom [judged to be right, justified] is vindicated [proved right, justified] by all [every one of] her children [those who follow her, the righteous].” word study 36 Then [at that time, afterwards] one [a certain, an individual] of the Pharisees [a member of a Jewish sect, strict adherent to tradition] invited [asked, requested] Jesus [the Messiah, the Christ] to eat [to share a meal, to dine] with him [in his company, as a guest], and He entered [went into, came into] the Pharisee’s [this specific Pharisee’s] house [home, dwelling] and reclined [sat down, leaned back] at the table [for the meal, to eat]. word study 37 When a [morally corrupt] sinful woman [a female sinner, a woman with a questionable past] from that town [city, community] learned [came to know, discovered] that Jesus [the Messiah, the Savior] was dining [reclining, sitting at a meal] there, she brought [carried, came with] an alabaster [stone, perfume] jar [box, container] of perfume [fragrant oil, ointment]. word study 38 As she stood behind [in a position of humility] Him at His feet [in a posture of reverence] weeping [with sorrow and repentance], she began to wet [rain down, moisten] His feet with her tears [teardrops, a symbol of sorrow] and wipe [cleanse, purify] them with her hair [a symbol of humility and devotion]. Then she kissed [showed affection and respect] His feet and anointed [applied oil or perfume, a symbol of honor] them with the perfume [fragrant oil, a symbol of devotion]. word study 39 When the Pharisee [a strict Jewish sect member] who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man [the Prophet, Jesus Christ] were a prophet [one who speaks God’s words], He would know [be aware of, perceive] who this is [the woman’s identity] and what kind of woman [a sinner, immoral] is touching Him [physically and spiritually]—for she is [known to be] a sinner [one who has missed the mark, disobeyed God’s law]!” word study 40 But Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] answered him, “Simon [a Greek name used for several Israelites], I have [possess or hold] something [a matter or a thing] to tell [to say or speak] you.” “Tell [to say or speak] me, Teacher [an instructor or rabbi, one who teaches],” he said. word study 41 “Two [a pair] men were debtors [owing a financial obligation] to a certain [specific, particular] moneylender [one who lends money at interest]. One [a certain individual] owed him five hundred [a large sum] denarii [Roman coins], and the other [a different person] fifty [a smaller amount]. word study 42 When they were unable [had no means, lacked the resources] to repay [to pay back, make restitution] him, he forgave [freely pardoned, showed kindness to] both [the two, a pair] of them [the two debtors]. Which one [a certain one], then [at that time], will love [show esteem and goodwill] him more [to a greater extent]?” word study 43 “I suppose [think, assume] the one who was forgiven [pardoned, granted mercy] more [a greater amount, to a larger extent],” Simon [the host, a Pharisee] replied. “You have judged [formed an opinion, made a decision] correctly [rightly, justly],” Jesus [the Messiah, the Savior] said. word study 44 And turning [to face, directing attention] toward the woman [a female, either married or unmarried], He said to Simon, “Do you see [perceive, notice] this woman [this specific person]? When I entered [to go into] your house [a physical dwelling or family], you did not give [to bestow or grant] Me water [literal or figurative] for My feet [the lower extremities], but she wet [to moisten or rain down] My feet with her tears [drops of liquid from the eye] and wiped [to wipe off] them with her hair [growth on the head]. word study 45 You did not greet Me with a kiss [a symbol of love and respect], but she has not stopped [ceased to, intermitted] kissing My feet [as a sign of humility and devotion] since I arrived [came in, entered the house]. word study 46 You did not anoint [with olive oil] My head [the upper part of the body] with oil, but she has anointed [poured perfume on] My feet [the lowest part of the body, a sign of humility] with perfume [fragrant ointment]. word study 47 Therefore I tell [declare, say unto] you, because [on account of, due to] her many [numerous, great] sins [transgressions, missing the mark] have been forgiven [released, pardoned], she has loved [shown esteem and goodwill] much [greatly, abundantly]. But he who has been forgiven [pardoned, released] little [a small amount, few] loves [shows esteem and goodwill] little [slightly, with minimal affection].” word study 48 Then [at that moment, next] Jesus said to her, “Your [personal, belonging to you] sins [missing the mark, falling short of God’s standards] are forgiven [released, left, sent away] [as if they never existed, completely pardoned].” word study 49 But those [dining together] at the table began [to commence, to start] to say [to speak, to utter] to themselves [in their own minds, privately], “Who [which one, what person] is this [he, the one] who even [also, in addition] forgives [releases, pardons] sins [transgressions, offenses]?” word study 50 And Jesus told the woman [a female follower, the one who had been forgiven], “Your [personal, unwavering] faith [trust, confidence in God] has saved [rescued, delivered] you; go [travel, journey] in [toward, into a state of] peace [harmony, inner calm, freedom from turmoil].” word study