Luke 7 – Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Luke 7:1-10: Jesus and the Centurion   

A. Find Out:    

1. What situation occurred where? v.1,2
   • When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was ill and about to die.
2. Who came to Jesus, and why, and what did they say? v.3-5
   • The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, ‘This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.’
3. Who then came to Jesus? v.6a
   • He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends
4. Why had the centurion not come? v.6b-8
   • ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go”, and he goes; and that one, “Come”, and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’
5. What was Jesus’ response to this? v.9
   •  When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.’
6. What was the outcome? v.10
   • Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

B. Think:

1. What do we learn about the centurion by the circumstances?
2. What do we learn about him by what he says?
3. What do we learn of him from Jesus says?

C. Comment:

Two men of authority! Let’s observe the centurion first.  Matthew’s Gospel speaks of the centurion coming to ask Jesus, yet Luke shows us that it was, in fact, leaders of the Jews speaking on his behalf. Matthew gives us his words conveyed. Luke adds a very important personal dimension to what we know of this man. Luke tells us that this Roman centurion had built the local synagogue for the Jews. He was obviously rich, but he was also generous and he had won the hearts of the local Jewish leaders. This man was obviously a diplomat of the first order, in the way had he carried out his duties. Yet he has a problem, his servant who he thought so much of, was very ill.

We next see this man’s humility. He sees himself merely as a Roman and not worthy to have Jesus come into his home. But then we see he is also a man of faith – he believes in Jesus, he knows in himself that just as he is a man of authority who can command and it is done, so Jesus can do the same. This is sufficient for him and it is sufficient for Jesus. This level of faith is greater than any that Jesus has encountered so far in Israel . The outcome is simply that Jesus decrees health (implied) and the servant is made well.

D. Application:

1. Humility: A rich but humble man! Can we maintain humility when we are affluent or hold positions of importance?
2. A man of understanding and faith! Do we have this man’s depth of understanding about Jesus and trust in him?

Passage: Luke 7:11-17: Jesus raises a dead young man     

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Jesus next go and with whom? v.11
   • Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.
2. What did they encounter as they came near? v.12
   • As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out – the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.
3. What did Jesus say and do? v.13,14
   • When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’
   • 14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’
4. What happened as a result? v.15
   • The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
5. What was the response in the crowd? v.16
   • They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.
6. What was the response in the area? v.17
   • This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

B. Think:

1. Look up Nain on a map. What does this say about Jesus’ ministry?
2. What do you think it was that moved Jesus to act?
3. What effect do you think this would have on Jesus ministry?

C. Comment:

We were told earlier (4:43) that Jesus travelled around Galilee ,   and this is a record of one of the things that happened on those travels. Nain is in the southern half of Galilee .

Observe first the MOTIVATION of this miracle. Here is a widow and her only son has just died, her son who would probably be her main means of support now she has no husband. There are many people with her – she is well known and liked. Jesus arrives and is either told about her or instinctively knows about her, and is moved by compassion. He doesn’t just act, he first of all speaks to the woman to reassure her. Again and again Luke picks up the personal touches. Jesus is first concerned with people. Compassion was so often the motivation that moved Jesus to act on behalf of others.

Next observe the METHOD: Jesus comes to the coffin and stops the procession and then simply issues a command. There is a sense of order and purpose in his actions. He knows his authority and acts confidently.

Finally observe the EFFECT: when the young man is brought back to life there is a twofold response. First there is awe, the recognition that God is there, moving sovereignly. Then there is praise, outright expression of delight, and of course the word spreads!

D. Application:

1. Jesus is first of all concerned with people. Do we realise that Jesus has this level of care and compassion for US? 
2. Moved by Compassion? Jesus feels for us and is moved by compassion. Do we have similar compassion for those around us in need?

Passage: Luke 7:18-23> Messengers come from John   

A. Find Out:

1. What did John do? v.18,19
   • John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’
2. What did the men do? v.20
   • When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”’
3. What had Jesus been doing? v.21
   • At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, illnesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.
4. So what 6 things did he say to tell John about? v.22
   • So he replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor
5. What was his closing comment? v.23
   • Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.’

B. Think:

1. What reasons might there be for John sending his people?
2. How was Jesus’ answer a summary of his ministry?
3. What do you think he’s saying in verse 23?

C. Comment:

We come to an interesting episode that could be taken one of two ways. Let’s first observe the facts of what happened: John the Baptist sent some of his followers with a question about who Jesus was.  Jesus answered by pointing to his activities.

Now there is an overriding question that must be in our minds: why did John do it? There are, perhaps, two possibilities: first, that in prison he genuinely was doubting what the whole thing was about or, second, knowing his own ministry had come to an end, wanted in a subtle way to now point his own followers on to Jesus and the best way to do that was to get them to go to Jesus to see and hear for themselves.

If we assume the former situation, then Jesus’ final comment would mean, “and it would be good, John, if you don’t fall away into doubt because of me, but instead believe what you’ve been told about what I am doing and are able to see that, yes, I am the coming one.” If we assume the latter case, then Jesus words are meaning, “Yes, that’s great John, that you are not falling away in your believe of me, you are much blessed.”

We cannot be certain of the situation, because we are not given the detail. All we do know is that elsewhere in the Gospels Jesus praises and extols John. There is no indication from Jesus that John fell away in unbelief. May we not either!

D. Application:

1. John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. May we do the same with the people near us. Do we?
2. Harsh circumstances can raise doubts.  Beware the pressure of difficult circumstances. In such times we need to reinforce our faith, not let it be weakened.

Passage: Luke 7:24-30: Jesus speaks about John     

A. Find Out:

1. What question did Jesus ask the crowd three times? v.24-26
   •  After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? ….. 25 If not, what did you go out to see?…… 26 But what did you go out to see?
2. What 3 possibilities did he put up as answers? 24-26
   •  A reed swayed by the wind? …..A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces….. A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
3. What did Jesus say John was? v.26b,27
   • A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”
4. What did Jesus then say about John – and us? v.28
   • I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.’
5. Who accepted this and why? v.29
   • (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
6. Who rejected this and why? v.30
   • But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

B. Think:

1. How did Jesus focus the crowd on John?
2. What was Jesus’ final assessment of John?
3. Why do you think there were two different reactions to all this?

C. Comment:

Jesus now asks the crowd about John the Baptist. Why had they gone out to him originally? Was he just a figure being swayed by the latest Jewish fervour for a Messiah, but who would not last? No! Had they been attracted by John’s finery and impressiveness? Definitely not! Was he just a prophet then, was that what attracted them? Partly! But he was more than “just” a prophet, he was the prophet prophesied of old who would prepare the way for the Messiah.

Then Jesus says something remarkable. Of anyone “born of a woman”, i.e. born naturally, John was the greatest. Why? Because his role was to usher in the Son of God. But then he says the really remarkable thing: anyone in the kingdom of God is greater than John. How can that be? Because we now know that anyone born again of the Spirit of God (for that is what brings someone into God’s kingdom), has had their sins forgiven and has been made a child of God (Jn 1:12, 1Jn 3:1). THAT is the wonder of our position today that John did not know about or could not experience.

The responses of the people to Jesus saying these things is interesting. Those who had already accepted John accepted Jesus’ words, while those who had rejected John now rejected Jesus’ words. Hearts were being revealed.

D. Application:

1. My position today: As a Christian today, do I realise that I am greater than John, that I am a child of God.
2. Open hearted? Is my heart open to receive the messengers of God, in whatever form they come?

Passage: Luke 7:30-35: Jesus challenges the Pharisees     

A. Find Out:

1. What is Jesus’ next starting question? v.31
   • But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31 Jesus went on to say, ‘To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
2. What did he say they were like? v.32a
   • They are like children sitting in the market-place and calling out to each other:
3. What had they, in effect, been saying? v. 32b
   • ‘“We played the pipe for you,
         and you did not dance;
     we sang a dirge,
         and you did not cry.”
4. What had they said about John the Baptist? v.33
   • For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, “He has a demon.”
5. What did they then say about Jesus? v.34
   • The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, “Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”
6. So what principle does he declare? v.35
   • But wisdom is proved right by all her children.’

B. Think:

1. How had the people complained about John?
2. How had they made the opposite complaint about Jesus?
3. What point is Jesus making in all this?

C. Comment:

Jesus had been talking about John the Baptist and, recognising the various complaints that are coming, especially from the religious leaders, he now turns and highlights the foolishness of these varying opinions about John and himself.

He first of all compares them to the children playing in the market place who are never content. One minute they are all bubbly and complain because others won’t join in, the next they are all mournful and complain because others don’t feel as they did. We’re like that – fickle and changeable!

Then Jesus compares the people’s reactions to John and to himself. When John came they complained they he was too austere, even a fanatic. When Jesus came they complained they he was too light hearted and frivolous. The reality was that these religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees of verse 30, would never be happy with anything other than that which they originated. Their form of religion was all they could accept; their minds were closed to both John and Jesus. In fact they were rejecting the purpose of God for that generation. It’s all right, he concludes, true wisdom will be vindicated by the children we bring forth, see the outworking of our ministries and judge accordingly.

D. Application:

1. A Critical Heart? Such a heart ALWAYS find fault. It’s not that others are wrong but this person’s heart is wrong from the outset. Am I critical?
2. Fruitful? Let’s not judge or criticise, let’s just watch for good fruit. Not only that, let’s ensure WE bring forth good ‘fruit’.

Passage: Luke 7:36-43: Jesus and the weeping woman   

A. Find Out:

1. Where did Jesus go next and why? v.36
   • When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
2. What happened there? v37,38
   • A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
3. What did the Pharisee think? v.39
   • When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.’
4. What story did Jesus tell? v.41,42a
   • ‘Two people owed money to a certain money-lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both.
5. What question did he ask at the end of it? v.42b
   • Now which of them will love him more?’
6. What was the Pharisee’s answer? v.43
   • Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.’ ‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said.

B. Think:

1. What do you think was the first remarkable thing in these events?
2. What was the second remarkable thing in them?
3. How did Jesus use this as a teaching situation?

C. Comment:

So far we have only seen the Pharisees criticising Jesus, but now one of them invites Jesus to a meal – and Jesus goes! Even knowing that this Pharisee was likely to be critical of him, Jesus goes. That is the first remarkable thing about this passage. Jesus was open to all people, even those who start out being critical of him.

Next, while the dinner is going on, a woman comes in and starts pouring perfume over Jesus’ feet. That’s not the problem! The problem is WHO she is. She is someone well known for her immorality, and as such she would be one strongly condemned by the Pharisees. Simon, the Pharisee who had invited Jesus sees this happening and starts thinking negative thoughts about Jesus. Now Jesus understood his thoughts and before he had a chance to say anything, Jesus tells a story.

In the story Jesus portrays two debtors who are forgiven. He then simply asks Simon which of the debtors would be most grateful, and Simon correctly answers the one with the bigger debt cancelled. The implication of this story in respect of the woman is obvious. She was a BIG sinner and therefore when she receives forgiveness, feels doubly grateful and has expressed it very obviously. The implications of that are also obvious and we’ll see them in the next study.

D. Application:

1. Open to Others? Can I be open to others, even when they are critical of me?
2. Open to sinners?  Am I open to the “sinners” (as I see them) around me like Jesus was?
3. Forgiven: Do I appreciate the wonder of having been forgiven? Do I have a joy in being one of God’s forgiven children?

Passage: Luke 7:44-50: Jesus chides the Pharisee     

A. Find Out:

1. What had the woman done? v.44c,45b,46b
   • she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. …this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet….she has poured perfume on my feet.
2. What hadn’t Simon done? v.44b,45a,46a
   •  Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet …  You did not give me a kiss … You did not put oil on my head
3. What had happened to her? v.47
   • Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – as her great love has shown.
4. How does Jesus reassure her? v.48
   • Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’
5. What did provoke others to ask? v.49
   • The other guests began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’
6. What does Jesus declare to her? v.50
   • Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

B. Think:

1. How had the woman blessed Jesus?
2. Why, according to Jesus, had she done it?
3. What is the greatest motivator for change?

C. Comment:

We need to understand the order of things here if we are to understand what is happening. In the previous parable Jesus indicated that the one who is forgiven most will love most. This woman had previously been a well-known immoral woman, yet now she comes to Jesus expressing great love and thankfulness. The assumption we must come to is that Jesus has already encountered her and forgiven her; what takes place here is as a result of that and a confirmation of that.

She comes and blesses Jesus. Simon, the Pharisee, objects to her presence and so Jesus gently scolds him. Simon hadn’t cared for Jesus in the same way she had, and he needs to understand why she acted as she did. Perhaps verse 47 should be understood to mean “the way she has just expressed so much love indicates that she realises how much she has been forgiven by me.” To reassure her in the face of Simon’s accusations, Jesus confirms that yes, she had been forgiven, it was all right. Her actions had been actions of faith and they had simply confirmed what had happened in her and revealed her salvation. She could go at peace with God and not worrying about what religious men might say in their lack of understanding! These reassurances leave the other guests wondering – as so they should do! Hard hearted lack of understanding needs challenging!

D. Application:

1. Motivated to change: Have forgiveness and love been the two greatest motivators for change in my life?  If not, perhaps I’ve never yet received them.
2. Love Expressed: Am I able to forgive and love others as jesus forgives and loves me? How we act reveals the state of our heart and love for Jesus.