Thirdmill Study Bible

Notes on Luke 7:7-35

Luke 7:7-8

authority Centurions were under several authorities, including the Primus Pilus, but ultimately, under the authority of Caesar. He observed the same kind of spiritual authority in Jesus. say a word. True faith knows that God's power to heal is not dependent on any ritual, incentive, or external aid. His word alone is powerful (Ps. 107:20; Matt. 8:16; Heb. 11:3).

Luke 7:9

Jesus's praise of a person's faith was rare. Here it is especially unique that he highly praised a centurion. This emphasized that inclusion of Gentiles by faith in Israel's Messiah within God's people (see 4:25-27; Acts 13:46-47; 18:6; 28:26-28).

Luke 7:10

The centurion's confident faith in Jesus (vv. 6-8) was well-founded.

Luke 7:11

Soon after that. Luke intentionally linked the accounts. He often used pairs in his narrative sections. He also echoed the ministries of Elijah and Elisha by joining this miracle (vv. 11-17; 1 Kgs 17:17-24; 2 Kgs 4:32-37) with the preceding one (vv. 1-10; 2 Kgs 5). Nain. Located in southern Galilee, this town is only mentioned here.

Luke 7:12

carried out. Specific term for carrying a dead body out of town for burial. The typical procedure is described as follows. After ensuring death had occurred, the family will display their mourning through torn clothes. The dead body was then prepared for burial. This usually happened the same day to prevent decomposition. On the way to the grave, the body was wrapped and carried on a bier so all could see it (v. 14). only son . . . widow. Luke emphasized the woman's desperate situation. She is now without any family or means of providing for herself. large crowd. Funerals were an important event in first-century Jewish life. Normal activities ended for people to join the one mourning.

Luke 7:13

Lord. Not merely a title carried over from the previous account (v. 6). Luke used it here to reflect on Jesus's authority and compassion (v. 16; Isa. 54:7-10). deeply moved. God is not indifferent to the sufferings of his people (Ps. 34:15-18).

Luke 7:14-15

touched. Contact with a corpse was forbidden by the law and made one ritually unclean (vv. 5:12-14; 8:54; Num. 19:11, 16). However, such was Jesus's power that he did not receive any defilement. Instead, he imparted life to the dead. I say . . . arise. No mention is made of faith (see note on vv. 7-8). Jesus speaks and his words brings life (8:48; John 11:43; see Gen. 1:3-31; Ezek. 37:9-10).

Luke 7:15

The man responded to Jesus's command by rising and speaking. gave him to his mother. The same wording used by Elijah after raising a young man back to life (1 Kgs. 17:23).

Luke 7:16

fear. Holy awe came over the people, which led to their worship of God. great prophet. The people recognized the prophetic nature of Jesus's ministry (4:23-24; 7:39; 9:8, 19; 13:33; 22:64; 24:19; Acts 3:22; 7:37). By calling him a great prophet, they saw similarities between his ministry and that of Elijah and Elisha (see notes on vv. 11, 15; 4:24-26). However, the people were still unsure of exact nature of Jesus's identity and mission (9:19).