A ROMAN OFFICER THERE HAD A SERVANT. For notes on the healing of this servant, see Matthew 8:5_ to_ Matthew 13:11. SOON AFTERWARD JESUS WENT TO A TOWN NAMED NAIN. Only Luke tells of this "raising from death." Nain was a town on the northwest slope of "Little Hermon," about twenty-five miles south of... [ Continue Reading ]
JUST AS HE ARRIVED AT THE GATE OF THE TOWN. Most towns in the Middle East had walls and a gate. He met the funeral procession coming out. The dead were always carried out of a Jewish town to be buried outside. THE DEAD MAN. He was being carried in an open coffin, covered with a cloth. [SOROS = coffi... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HEART WAS FILLED WITH PITY. Jesus really loved people. He had pity toward those who were sad and in need. Compare Matthew 14:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TOUCHED THE COFFIN. This signaled them to stop. GET UP! This is the first time he commanded the dead to "get up!" Compare the raising of Jairus' daughter (Matthew 9:18-26); and the raising of Lazarus (_John 11)._ Imagine the amazement of the crowd, also of the disciples!... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DEAD MAN SAT UP. Jesus speaks and the miracle is done! Language cannot express the feelings of this moment.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERYONE WAS FILLED WITH FEAR. They are shocked and astonished to see the dead man get up. A GREAT PROPHET HAS APPEARED AMONG US! Even the Twelve had not yet declared his Messiahship. THROUGH ALL THE COUNTRY. All Palestine. Even John the Baptist, in prison east of the Dead Sea, seems to have heard a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SENT THEM TO THE LORD TO ASK HIM. John the Baptist had already identified Jesus as the Messiah (John 1:31-34). But the Jews expected a political Messiah, and John wonders why Jesus does not overthrow Herod and the Romans, declare himself king, and release him from prison. See notes on Matthew 11... [ Continue Reading ]
A PHARISEE INVITED JESUS. Only Luke gives this anointing, and it is not the same as the one in Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8, in which Mary was the woman. This event is early in the ministry of Jesus, before the gap between himself and the Pharisees became so severe they could not be fri... [ Continue Reading ]
A WOMAN. SINFUL LIFE. The language implies she was a prostitute in Capernaum. SHE HEARD THAT JESUS. The fame of Jesus was the talk of the town. She believed there was mercy, even for her. SO SHE brought. The room where they were eating had no door, but the whole front of it was open, making it easy... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STOOD BEHIND JESUS. Rather than sitting up, these people lay on their side on a couch when they ate a feast. She stands behind him, at his feet [which stick out behind the couch]. CRYING AND WETTING HIS FEET. These are tears of repentance, with a deep sense of sin, and a strong hope of mercy and... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE PHARISEE. He was surprised that Jesus would not drive her away. HE SAID TO HIMSELF. Simon decides in his own mind that Jesus: (1) either does not know what this woman is - which no true prophet could fail to know; (2) or he knows it and still lets her touch him - which defiles him, and no t... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus SPOKE UP. He answers the unspoken question of Simon. TWO MEN WHO OWED MONEY. This is a parable - using common things to teach spiritual truth. NEITHER COULD PAY HIM BACK. Both were helpless, as we all are before God. SO HE CANCELED THE DEBTS. This is GRACE: _an undeserved favor._ WHICH ONE, TH... [ Continue Reading ]
I CAME INTO YOUR HOME. Jesus shows the sharp contrast between Simon and the woman. Simon refused him water; she gave him her tears [which Augustine calls _the blood of her heart._]. Simon would not greet him with a kiss; she kissed his feet. Simon refused to provide oil for his head; she covered his... [ Continue Reading ]
I TELL YOU, THEN. "Simon, if the one who was forgiven more will love more, this woman's great love proves she has been forgiven, because she had a lot to be forgiven for." [Simon thinks of the woman as very sinful and doubts her repentance; and thinks of himself as not a sinner at all.] YOUR SINS AR... [ Continue Reading ]