Luke 7:1-50

Luke’s Good News

Luke

Hilda Bright

Chapter 7

The *faith of an army officer 7:1-10

v1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things to the people, he went to Capernaum.

v2 In that town, an officer in the *Roman army had a servant, whom he liked very much. The man was very ill and he was nearly dead. v3 When the officer heard about Jesus, the officer sent some *Jewish leaders with this message: ‘Please come and *heal my servant!’ v4 They immediately went to Jesus and urged him to come. ‘This man deserves your help. v5 He loves our people and he has even built our *synagogue’.

v6 So Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the officer sent friends to him. They gave Jesus a message from the officer: ‘Sir, you do not need to come. I do not deserve to have you in my house. v7 Nor am I good enough to come to you myself. But just give the order and my servant will be well. v8 For I too obey officers of higher rank. And I have soldiers who obey me. I tell one soldier to go, and he goes. If I say to another soldier, “Come”, he comes. If I order my servant to do something, he does it’. v9 The officer’s words greatly surprised Jesus. He turned round and said to the crowd behind him, ‘I tell you, I have never found *faith like this in *Israel’. v10 When the officer’s friends returned, they found that the servant was well.

Verse 2 The *Roman officer’s attitude was not usual. His servant was probably a *Jew. But he had served his master well. The officer certainly did not want him to die.

Verse 3 The *Jewish leaders were sincere when they asked Jesus to help.

Verse 5 They said that the officer loved the *Jews so much that he had paid to build their *synagogue. ‘Our’ *synagogue could mean that Capernaum had only one *synagogue. If so, it would be the building in which Jesus had already shown his power (Luke 4:31-37).

Verses 6-7 The *Roman officer was a humble man. He considered that Jesus was more important than he was. Also, he did not want Jesus, who was a *Jew, to make himself ‘*unclean’. This would happen if Jesus entered a *Gentile’s house (Acts 10:28).

Verse 8 He spoke from his own experience, when he requested Jesus to give an order. The officer knew what authority meant. He had to obey other officers who were superior to him. He himself could give an order to his soldiers, and they would obey him. He recognised that Jesus had God’s authority. If Jesus gave the order, the officer’s servant would get well.

Verse 9 The *Roman officer’s *faith astonished Jesus. It was stronger than the *faith of any *Jew, a member of God’s own people *Israel. Luke did not need to mention that Jesus actually gave the order. Instead Luke wants to emphasise the *faith of the *Roman officer, because he was a *Gentile.

The widow of Nain’s son 7:11-17

v11 Soon afterwards Jesus went to the town of Nain. His *disciples and a great crowd were with him. v12 As he came near to the town gate, he met a group of men. They were taking a dead man to his grave. The man who had died was the only son of his mother. She was a widow too. A large crowd from the town was with her. v13 When the *Lord saw her, he felt very sorry for her. He said to her, ‘Do not cry’. v14 Jesus went and touched the *bier. The men who were carrying it stood still. Jesus said ‘Young man, I tell you, get up!’ v15 The dead man sat up and began to speak. Jesus gave him to his mother. v16 Fear filled them all and they praised God. They said, ‘A great *prophet is here with us! God has come to help his people!’ v17 The news about Jesus spread all over Judea and everywhere else in that region.

Verse 12 Nain was a town with a wall round it. Jesus arrived at the gate in the wall. The widow had no other members of her family. Her son had provided her income and he protected her. He could not do that any more. Her family would not continue. Her husband was dead. Her son was dead too. She probably doubted whether God loved her. The large crowd with her was showing its sympathy for the death of her son.

Verse 14 When Jesus touched the *bier he made himself ‘*unclean’. Nobody had asked Jesus to help. Jesus acted because he had a lot of love.

Verse 15 When the young man spoke everyone knew that he had come back to life. Jesus gave an order. That order defeated death, at once and completely.

Verse 16 The crowd recognised that Jesus had used God’s power. So they called him ‘a great *prophet’. They were perhaps thinking of Elijah and Elisha. These two *prophets of the past had also made dead people come back to life (1 Kings 17:17-23; 2 Kings 4:17-37).

John the *Baptist’s question and Jesus’ answer 7:18-23

v18 When John’s *disciples told John about all these things, he called two of them. v19 He sent them to ask Jesus, ‘Are you the one who will come, or should we expect someone else?’ v20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the *Baptist sent us to ask you, “Are you the one who will come? Or should we wait for someone else?” ’

v21 At that very time Jesus freed many people from their diseases and pains and freed them from wicked *demons. He made many blind people able to see.

v22 Jesus replied to John’s *messengers, ‘Go back to John. Tell him what you have seen and heard. The blind can see. The people with weak legs can walk. People with *leprosy are well again. Deaf people can hear. Dead people are alive again. The poor people are hearing the good news. v23 The person who has no doubt about me is very happy!’

Verse 18 John was in prison at the town of Machaerus by the Dead Sea. His *disciples told him what Jesus had done for the servant of the *Roman officer and for the widow’s son.

Verse 19 ‘The one who will come’ means ‘the *Messiah’. There may be more than one reason why John doubted. He may have wondered why Jesus did not do anything to free him from prison. Perhaps he was urging Jesus to tell people that he was the *Messiah. He did not know what to believe. He had warned people of God’s judgement. Perhaps he was expecting Jesus to free their country from the *Romans and to punish *sinners. However, Jesus was forgiving people and doing kind things.

Verses 21-22 When Jesus *healed people this pointed to the work of the *Messiah. This would remind John of the words of Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 61:1. Jesus was making those words come true.

Jesus praises John 7:24-30

v24 After John’s *disciples had left, Jesus began to speak about John to the crowd. He said, ‘When you went into the desert, what did you expect to see? Did you expect to see grass that the wind was shaking? v25 Did you go out to the desert to see a man who wore expensive clothes? You only find people like that and luxury in palaces. v26 Did you go out to see a *prophet in the desert? Yes, he really is a *prophet and he is much more than a *prophet. v27 John is the one of whom the *Old Testament speaks. God said, “I will send my *messenger ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you” ’. v28 Jesus said, ‘I tell you that John is more important than any other person. But the least important in the *kingdom of God has more honour than John’.

v29 All the people who heard John’s message, even the *tax-collectors, accepted John’s warning. They believed that God’s demands were fair. They showed this because they came to John. They asked him to *baptise them. v30 But the *Pharisees and experts in the law did not accept what God wanted them to do. They refused to ask John to *baptise them.

Verse 24 Jesus did not want people to be confused when they heard about John’s doubts. The crowds did not go to see a very ordinary man. Nor did they go to see a weak man. He was not like grass that the wind blew one way and then another way. John did not keep changing what he believed so that he agreed with other people. He had a strong character and firm beliefs.

Verse 25 They did not go to see a rich man who was living a comfortable life. John had worn rough clothes. He had lived a strict life with very simple food (Mark 1:6).

Verse 27 The *prophet Malachi had written about John (Malachi 3:1).

Verse 28 God gave John more honour than any other person. John announced that the *Messiah had come. However, when Jesus appeared in public, John was humble enough to end his own work. He said, ‘Jesus must become more important, but I must become less important’ (John 3:30).

Verse 28 Jesus was not speaking about John’s character. He did not compare it with that of one of his own *followers. John was the link between the time of the *Old Testament and the time of the *New Testament. He belonged to the time of preparation for the *kingdom. Now Jesus had come, people could actually enter God’s *kingdom.

Children were playing 7:31-35

v31 Jesus asked, ‘I will tell you what you people are like. v32 You are like children who are sitting in the market place. They are calling out to one another, “We played you merry music for a wedding, but you would not dance. We sang a sad song for a funeral, but you would not cry”. v33 When John the *Baptist came, he ate no food and drank no *wine. You said, “He has a *demon in him”. v34 When the *Son of Man came, he ate and drank. You said, “Look at him! He is greedy, and he drinks too much *wine. He is a friend of *tax-collectors and *sinners”. v35 All those who are wise prove that wisdom is right.’

Verse 32 Jesus compared the people of his time with children playing a game of weddings and funerals. One group was arguing with another group. One group said that the other group would not play a game of weddings. So neither would they pretend to play a game of funerals.

Verses 33-34 In the same way, people did not want to accept either John or Jesus. John the *Baptist led a very strict life. People said that he was crazy. Jesus enjoyed normal social occasions. People said that he was too fond of food and drink. Moreover, he mixed with the wrong kind of people. The people of Jesus' time were not satisfied with anybody!

Verse 35 Both John the *Baptist and Jesus were doing what was right for them at that time. Wise people knew that.

The woman in the *Pharisee’s house 7:36-50

v36 A *Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner with him. Jesus went to the *Pharisee’s house and sat down at the table. v37 A woman of the city, who had a bad character, came in. She had heard that Jesus was a guest in the *Pharisee’s house. She brought a little bottle of very expensive oil that had a sweet smell. v38 She stood behind Jesus, by his feet. She was crying and her tears fell on his feet. She dried his feet with her hair and kissed his feet. She poured the oil over them. v39 When the *Pharisee saw this, he thought, ‘If this man were really a *prophet, he would know what kind of woman she is. He would not let a bad person like her touch him’. v40 Jesus said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you’. He answered, ‘Teacher, what is it?’ v41 ‘A man gave loans to two people. One had an enormous debt of money that would take a year and a half to earn. The other owed a small amount of money, one tenth of the other man’s debt. v42 Neither man was able to pay. So the man to whom they owed money forgave them both’.

Jesus asked, ‘Which of the two men will love him more?’ v43 Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, who had the greater debt’. ‘You are right’, Jesus said. v44 Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘You see this woman. I came into your home and you gave me no water to wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. v45 You did not welcome me with a kiss. She has been kissing my feet ever since I arrived. v46 You gave me no ordinary oil for my head. Yet, she has covered my feet with expensive oil. v47 Her great love to me proves that she knows that her many *sins have gone. The one who has few *sins for God to forgive shows little love’. v48 Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your *sins have gone’.

v49 The other guests began to talk among themselves, ‘Who is this man, who forgives *sins?’ v50 But Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your *faith in me has *saved you. Go in peace’.

Verse 36 It is not clear why Simon invited Jesus. Everybody was talking about Jesus. Simon may have been curious and wanted to see Jesus. He may have been eager to show people that he had entertained a famous teacher. He did not do the usual polite acts when he welcomed Jesus as a guest.

Verse 37 People often used to come in to watch what was happening.

It is probable that the woman had sex with men to earn money. She may have met Jesus before. She may have heard his message that God forgives.

Verse 38 The guests leaned on their side at a low table. Their feet were behind them, away from the table. The woman had come to show how grateful she was to Jesus. Her tears were tears of joy. People did not respect *Jewish women who showed their long hair in public. She did not care about what people might think.

Verse 40 Simon had not welcomed Jesus in the usual polite way. But Jesus made a polite request when he spoke to Simon.

Verse 43 Simon said ‘I suppose’. He probably suspected that the story involved himself.

Verses 44-46 Hosts would usually provide water for their guests. They could wash the dust of the road from their feet. It was the custom to give a guest a kiss on the cheek to welcome him. A man used to put oil on his face and head. This would make him feel soft and cool after the hot sun.

Simon had left out all these usual ways to welcome a guest. The woman’s lovely behaviour was very different from the way that Simon welcomed Jesus.

Verse 47 The woman’s great love showed that she was grateful that her many *sins were gone. Simon did not even realise that he needed God to forgive his ‘few’ *sins. Simon’s attitude to Jesus showed this.

Verse 48 Jesus wanted to make the woman completely certain that God had *forgiven her. Simon’s attitude may have made her feel that she had done the wrong thing. Jesus also wanted Simon and the other guests to know that she was no longer a ‘*sinner’.

Verse 49 Jesus had shown that he was more than a ‘*prophet’. He could forgive *sins. Only God has that right.

Verse 50 Jesus did not care about what the other people said. He sent the woman away ‘in peace’. She could be confident that Jesus had rescued her from the wrong way that she used to behave. Her *faith in Jesus had *saved her. She loved him because she knew that he had removed all her *sins.

This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words)

faith ~ trust.
Roman ~ person or thing that belongs to Rome.
Rome ~ capital of a great empire in *New Testament times.
empire ~ group of nations under one ruler (emperor).
emperor ~ king who rules over many countries.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
heal ~ cure; make completely well.
synagogue ~ a building where Jews gather to pray and to study the *Old Testament.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.'Israel, Israelites ~ all the people from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
unclean ~ (1) not pure in a religious meaning. (2) dirty.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
Gentiles ~ people who are not Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
disciple ~ one who follows another and learns from him; a person who believes in Jesus; a person who follows the things that he teaches.
Lord ~ name for God in the Bible; name that we use for Jesus when we obey him.
bier ~ open structure on which to carry a dead body.
prophet ~ one who tells God’s messages.
Baptist ~ a person who baptises people (John the Baptist).

baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water to show that he wants to obey God.
demons ~ bad or evil spirits. They work for Satan, the chief demon.
Satan ~ chief evil spirit; the Devil.
messenger ~ person who gives a message.
leprosy ~ serious disease of the skin.'Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.

Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.

'sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
kingdom ~ land that a king rules.'tax-collector ~ man who received taxes for the government.
tax ~ money that people must pay to the government.'baptise/baptism ~ to put a person into water to show that he wants to obey God.
Pharisees ~ group of Jews who were very strict about the law of Moses.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
follower ~ person who follows a leader.
wine ~ a drink made from grapes.
grape ~ fruit of vine.
vine ~ plant that produces grapes.'Son of Man ~ special name that Jesus used of himself.'sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.'save/salvation ~ rescue from the power and result of sin.

sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
forgive ~ when someone stops being angry with another person who has done bad things.

Luke: The Man Christ Jesus

Jesus in Galilee

Luke 4:14-9

Ian Mackervoy

Chapter 7

Examples of Jesus’ good deeds – Luke 7:1–50

The belief of the *centurion – Luke 7:1-10

v1 Jesus finished what he wanted to say to the people. Then he went to the town called Capernaum. v2 There a *centurion had a servant of whom he thought highly. The servant was sick and he was almost dead. v3 The *centurion heard about Jesus and he sent some leaders of the *Jews to him. They asked Jesus to come and to cure the *centurion’s servant. v4 When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him. They said to Jesus, ‘This man really deserves your help. v5 He loves our nation and he built us a *synagogue.’ v6 Jesus went with them.

Jesus was not far from the house when the *centurion sent friends to him with this message. ‘Sir, do not go out of your way. I do not deserve to have you come into my house. v7 That is why I did not come to you myself. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. v8 I am a man under authority as well. And I have soldiers over whom I have authority. I say to this one, “Go” And he goes. To another one I say, “Come.” And he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this.” And he does it.’

v9 When Jesus heard this, it astonished him. He turned to the crowd that followed him. He said to them, ‘I tell you something. I have not found such belief even in *Israel.’ v10 The men that the *centurion had sent went back to the house. There they found that the servant was well again.

Verses 1-10 Jesus went again to the town called Capernaum. A *centurion (that is, an officer in the *Roman army) near there had a sick servant. This *centurion cared about his servant who was close to death. There were no medicines to cure him. But the *centurion had *faith that Jesus could cure his servant.

He heard that Jesus was there. The *centurion would not come to Jesus himself. He was not a *Jew. Maybe he thought that Jesus would not accept him. So, he asked the *Jewish leaders to go to Jesus on his behalf. They were happy to do this for him because the *centurion had built a *synagogue for them.

The leaders came to Jesus and they asked him to go with them and to cure the servant. They told him that this *Roman officer loved the *Jews. Jesus started to go with them.

The *centurion knew that a *Jew would not want to enter the house of a foreigner. So, while Jesus was still coming toward his house, he sent friends to stop him. It was not necessary for Jesus to go out of his way. Although the *centurion was an officer in the *Roman army, he was a humble man. He said that he did not deserve to have Jesus in his house.

The *centurion knew what authority was. He had to obey the officers who had a higher rank than himself. And his own soldiers and servants had to obey him. He believed that Jesus had authority over diseases. He believed that there was the power to cure in the words of Jesus. If Jesus told the disease to go, it would go. Jesus did not need to be with the servant.

The *faith of this *centurion astonished Jesus. He was not a *Jew but he believed so much in Jesus. Many people in *Israel did believe in Jesus. But this man’s belief was extraordinary.

Jesus gave the order and he cured the sick servant.

The widow’s son – Luke 7:11-17

v11 Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His *disciples and a large crowd went there with him. v12 When Jesus came near to the town gate, he saw a funeral. The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow. A large crowd from the town was with her. v13 When the *Lord saw the widow, he had pity for her. He said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ v14 Jesus walked over to the procession. He touched the open bed on which the body lay. The people who carried it stopped. Then Jesus said, ‘Young man, I say to you: rise up’. v15 The dead man sat up and he began to speak. Then Jesus gave him to his mother.

v16 All the people were afraid and they praised God. They said, ‘A great *prophet has come among us. God has come to help his people.’ v17 This news about Jesus spread through the whole region called Judea and all the surrounding country.

Verses 11-17 Nain was a small town about 6 miles south and east of Nazareth. And it was about two miles to the south of the mountain called Tabor. It would have taken Jesus about a day to walk there from Capernaum. This is the only mention of Nain in the Bible.

A funeral procession had gone through the town. It was on its way to the place outside of Nain where its inhabitants buried dead people. The dead person was the only son of a widow. Probably now that her son was dead, she had no income to live. She would have to depend on the kindness of other people. A large crowd from the town came with the widow. It seems that the family was popular.

There was a large crowd of people with Jesus as he approached Nain. Jesus met the procession near the gate to the town. Immediately he felt sympathy and pity for the widow as she walked in front of the bed. He went over to her as she cried. Jesus said, ‘Do not weep.’ He touched the bed and the procession stopped. Then Jesus spoke to the dead body. He told the young man to get up. And the young man got up. Jesus gave the young man back to his mother.

The effect that this had on the people was to cause fear. To see a dead person rise up alive scared them. But they knew that it was the work of God. So, all the people praised God for what he had done. They called Jesus a great *prophet. But they did not know him yet as the *Christ.

Jesus spoke with such authority that even dead people obeyed him. He has the power of life and death. This is further evidence that Jesus is the *Christ, the Son of God.

The report of this astonishing *miracle spread through the whole region.

Jesus and John the *Baptist – Luke 7:18-35

v18 John's *disciples told him about all these things. John called to him two of his *disciples. v19 He sent them to the *Lord with this question. ‘Are you the one who is to come? Or should we wait for someone else?’

v20 The men came to Jesus. They said to him, ‘John the *Baptist sent us to ask you. “Are you the one who is to come? Or should we expect someone else?” ’

v21 At that time, Jesus cured many people who had diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits. And he gave sight to many people who were blind. v22 Jesus answered John’s *disciples, ‘Go back to John. Tell him what you have seen. Tell him what you have heard. Blind people can see. People who could not walk can now do so. I have cured people who had *leprosy. Deaf people can hear. I have raised dead people to life again. I have given the good news to the poor people. v23 God will *bless the person who does not lose his *faith in me.’

v24 After John’s *disciples left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. ‘You went into the desert to see John. You did not expect him to be weak like grass as the wind blows on it. v25 You went into the desert to see John. You did not expect to see a man in fine clothes. Those people in splendid clothing who live in luxury are in kings’ palaces. v26 You went into the desert to see a *prophet. Yes, I tell you, John is even more than a *prophet. v27 John is the one about whom the Bible spoke. It says, “Look! I will send my servant ahead of you. He will prepare the way before you.” v28 I tell you that John is greater than anyone else. No mother ever had a son as great as John is! But even the least important person in the *kingdom of God is greater than John.’

v29 (All the people heard what Jesus said. This included people who collected taxes. And they all agreed that God’s way was the right way. This was because John had *baptised them. v30 But the *Pharisees and experts in the law refused God’s purpose for them. They did not let John *baptise them.)

v31 ‘I will describe the people who live now. This is what they are like. v32 They are like children who sit in the market place. They shout to each other. They say, “We played music for you but you did not dance. We sang a sad song but you did not cry.”

v33 John the *Baptist has come. He neither eats bread nor drinks wine. You say, “He has a *demon in him.” v34 The Son of Man has come. He both eats and drinks. You say, “Look at him. He eats too much food and he drinks too much wine. He is a friend of those people who collect taxes and of *sinners.” v35 But all who accept God’s wisdom recognise its truth.’

Verses 18-20 Some of John’s *disciples had seen the things that Jesus had done. They had seen that Jesus had cured many people. And they saw when Jesus raised the widow’s son from death. They went and they told John about Jesus. So, John sent two of them to Jesus to find out if Jesus was the *Christ.

It seems strange that John should ask this question. He had *baptised Jesus. The voice from heaven said that Jesus was the Son of God (Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:11). John knew that Jesus would *baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16). John told some of his *disciples that Jesus was the *Lamb of God. And he told them that Jesus would take away the *sin of the world (John 1:29).

For some reason John needed further proof that Jesus was the *Christ. Soon after John had *baptised Jesus, Herod put John in prison. So, John could not have seen Jesus as he did these *miracles. He could not have heard Jesus as he taught. In the prison, perhaps John began to doubt that Jesus was the *Christ. Perhaps John started to think that Jesus was just another *prophet. Perhaps the *Christ had not really come yet. Perhaps Jesus did not do what John expected the *Christ to do.

However, it is possible that John did not have these doubts. Perhaps John was using this question to show his *disciples that Jesus was the *Christ. They had remained loyal to John, but John was not trying to get *disciples for himself. His constant desire was to introduce people to Christ (John 3:26-30).

Verses 21-23 Even in the day that John’s *disciples came, Jesus had cured many people. He had made people free from evil spirits. And he had given sight to people who were blind. So, Jesus sent his answer back to John. He told John’s *disciples to tell John what they had seen. And he told them to tell John what they had heard. Then Jesus told them some of those things. All these things proved that Jesus was the *Christ (Isaiah 35:5-6; Isaiah 61:1: Luke 4:18-21). Those who accept this, God will *bless.

Verses 24-30 The *disciples of John the *Baptist went to report to him. Then Jesus spoke to the crowd about John. John was a *prophet and he was more than a *prophet. God sent him for a special task. John was the person that God promised to send on order to prepare for the *Christ (Malachi 3:1). John had to tell people to get ready for the *Christ to come. And he pointed to Jesus as the one who would take away the *sins of the world. John *preached in the desert and he *baptised people in the Jordan River.

The people knew that John was a *prophet. Crowds of them came to hear him speak. And he *baptised many of them as they *repented of their *sins. There was no person greater than John. Jesus came to bring in God’s *kingdom. John was born before; in Jesus Christ the *kingdom came. So, the least person in the *kingdom of God is greater than John was.

The ordinary people heard what Jesus said. They believed that he was declaring God’s message. John the *Baptist had *baptised many of them. And they expected the *Christ to come soon. But many of the *Pharisees and experts in the law did not *repent. They had not allowed John to *baptise them. And they would not believe what Jesus said.

Verses 31-35 The people failed to understand either John the *Baptist or the *Lord Jesus. Jesus compared the people with little children at play. The children shout at each other. The game was to act to the music. They should dance to the happy song as at a wedding. And they should cry to the sad song as at a funeral. But the other children would not play the game. So, the people, especially many *Pharisees and leaders, did not accept either John the *Baptist or Jesus. They would not accept John or Jesus because of opposite reasons:

(1) John the *Baptist was too serious for them. He was like the sad song. He did not eat much normal food. He did not drink wine. They said that he had a *demon. They thought that he was mad. They would not accept him or what he taught.

(2) Jesus did eat normal food and he drank wine. He was like the happy song. But they said that he ate too much. They said that he drank too much. And he had the wrong type of friends. They would not accept him or what he taught.

Really, these were just foolish excuses. They were not even true. John was not mad and he did not have a *demon. Jesus did not eat or drink too much. The reality was that both John and Jesus declared the same message from God. It was that message from God which the people really did not like. That was the reason why they made these excuses.

But God’s wisdom is for those people who accept it. And they prove how right it is. They can accept what God taught them by John the *Baptist. Also, they will believe in Jesus, who is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:30).

The *Pharisee and the *sinful woman – Luke 7:36-50

v36 One of the *Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. So, Jesus went into the *Pharisee's house and he sat down to eat. v37 There was a woman in that town who had lived a *sinful life. She heard that Jesus was eating at the *Pharisee’s house. So, she brought an *alabaster bottle of *perfume. v38 She stood behind Jesus at his feet. She cried and her tears washed his feet. She wiped his feet with the hair of her head and she kissed them. And she poured the *perfume on them.

v39 The *Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this. He said to himself, ‘This man is not really a *prophet. A *prophet would know who touches him. He would know what sort of woman she is. He would know that she is a *sinner.’

v40 Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ He said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell me.’

v41 Jesus said, ‘A certain man lent money to two other people. One owed him 500 *denarii and the other one owed him 50 *denarii. v42 Neither of them had the money to pay back what they owed. So, the man cancelled both the debts. Which of the two will love him more?’

v43 Simon (the *Pharisee) answered him. ‘I suppose the one who owed the most. For him, the man cancelled a larger debt.’

Jesus said, ‘Yes, you have given the right answer.’

v44 Jesus turned toward the woman. He said to Simon, ‘Look at this woman. When I came into your house, you did not give to me water to wash my feet. But this woman washed my feet with her tears and she dried them with her hair. v45 You did not greet me with a kiss. But from the time I came in, she has kissed my feet. v46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured *perfume on my feet. v47 I tell you that God has forgiven her many *sins. Therefore, she loves much. But the person that God has not forgiven much will not love much.’

v48 Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘I have forgiven you for your *sins.’

v49 The other guests began to say among themselves, ‘This man does not have authority to forgive *sins.’

v50 But Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your belief in me has saved you. Go and be *at peace with God.’

Verses 36-38 Simon, a *Pharisee, invited Jesus to have a meal with him. Jesus came to the house and he sat down to eat. Rather he placed himself ready to eat. In those days, some rich people followed a *Roman custom. They did not actually sit for a meal. They lay down on the left side with their feet away from the low table.

In that town, there was this woman. All the people there knew of her character. Probably she was a *prostitute. However, they all knew her to be a *sinner by the way that she lived. It seems that this woman had heard Jesus teach. She had *repented of her *sins and Jesus had forgiven her. She wanted to thank Jesus for what he had done for her. She had heard that Jesus was in Simon’s house. So, she came in.

It was quite normal for poor people to come into such a meal. There they could receive what the guests had left.

The woman came behind the feet of Jesus. Jesus would have removed his *sandals so his feet were bare. She wept and her tears fell onto the feet of Jesus. She wiped his feet with her hair and she kissed his feet. Also, she had brought with her an *alabaster bottle of expensive *perfume oil. She broke the bottle and she poured the *perfume on his feet.

*Alabaster was a type of soft stone. It was common to put expensive *perfumes in bottles that people had made out of *alabaster. The stone bottle would keep the *perfume oil pure. The top of the bottle was a long narrow section. To pour the *perfume oil, she had to break that long narrow section.

Verses 39-43 The *Pharisee saw what the woman did. He thought about it. He thought that Jesus could not be a *prophet. If Jesus were a *prophet, he would know about this woman. He would have known her bad character. He would have known that she was a *sinner. He would not allow her to do these things. A *prophet would not allow such a *sinner even to touch him. He would not let her waste expensive *perfume in this way. But Jesus did know about this woman. And he did allow her to wash his feet with her tears and to pour the *perfume on his feet.

Jesus knows what is in the hearts and minds of people. He knew the thoughts of Simon the *Pharisee. Simon did not speak aloud, but Jesus answered the thoughts of Simon.

Jesus told this story. A man lent some money to two other men. To one, he lent 500 *denarii, and to the other man, he lent 50 *denarii. One *denarius was a coin worth about a day’s wages for a farm worker. Neither man could pay what he owed. So, the man cancelled both debts.

Then Jesus asked Simon which of the two would love the man most. Simon had to give the right answer. The word ‘love’ here probably means to give thanks and to be grateful. There is no definite word ‘to thank’ in the *Hebrew or the *Aramaic languages.

Verses 44-47 Jesus then explained the purpose of the story. He drew Simon’s attention to the woman again. He showed Simon what the woman had done. And he contrasted that with what Simon had neglected to do.

It was the custom in that country to wash feet when you went into a house for a meal. People there either wore *sandals, or they walked with bare feet. And the roads were very dusty. When they entered a house, they took off their *sandals. Then the host would wash the feet of his guests or he would provide water for this purpose. Simon did not wash the feet of Jesus. He did not even provide water for Jesus to wash his own feet. In this, Simon did not respect his guest. However, the woman washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. And she wiped his feet with her hair as the towel. She did respect Jesus when Simon had neglected his duties to his guest.

It was the custom to greet a guest with a kiss, usually on the cheek. People did this as a friendly greeting. Simon did not greet Jesus in this way. The woman kissed the feet of Jesus continuously, since the time that she came in.

Among the *Jews, it was common to pour a little oil on the head of a guest. The oil that they used had a sweet *perfume. Simon did not do this for Jesus. He did not even use the ordinary oil. But the woman poured expensive *perfume over the feet of Jesus.

Often in a town, people did not follow these customs. So perhaps Simon did nothing wrong except that he did not respect Jesus.

Jesus told Simon that the woman had *sinned much. But God had forgiven her many *sins. Therefore, she had much love for God. Jesus did not complete the story to say whether God had forgiven Simon. A person’s love for God will be in proportion to his opinion of his *sins. If in his opinion his *sin is small, his love for God will also be small. Those people whom God has forgiven should love him much. In God’s opinion, all *sins are great. The size of one *sin against another *sin does not matter. The price that Jesus paid to forgive us was his death. We all need God to forgive our *sins, so we all should be very grateful to God for the death of Christ.

Verses 48-50 Jesus spoke to the woman. He said to her that he has forgiven her all her *sins. He did not forgive because she loved much. She loved much because he had forgiven her. The *Lord Jesus saved her because she believed in Him.

The woman knew that God had forgiven her. Perhaps Jesus spoke these words for the benefit of the other guests. They heard what Jesus said to the woman. This caused them to ask questions in their minds. They wondered whether Jesus really could have authority to forgive *sins. No man has authority to forgive *sins. But Jesus said that he had done that. In this, he declared that he is God. Only God can forgive *sins.

centurion ~ an officer in the Roman army.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at the time of the New Testament. Anything that belonged to Rome was Roman.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
synagogue ~ a building where Jews gather for prayer; a place where the Jews meet for the purpose of their religion.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
Israel ~ the country of the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
Roman ~ Rome was the capital city of the rulers at the time of the New Testament. Anything that belonged to Rome was Roman.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
faith ~ trust in someone or something; belief and trust in God and in Jesus Christ his Son.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
disciple ~ a person who follows a leader, especially the 12 men that Jesus chose to be with him.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
prophet ~ a person who speaks for God. A prophet can sometimes say what will happen in the future.
Christ ~ the Christ is the name for the person whom God would send to save his people. Jesus is the Christ and he was called Christ.
miracle ~ a powerful deed that does not happen by natural means. Often, miracles seem impossible to explain. Miracles show God’s power.
Baptist ~ a title for John, who prepared for Christ’s arrival, because he baptised people.
baptise ~ to use water in a special ceremony to show that God has forgiven (washed away) someone’s sin.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
leprosy ~ a serious disease of the skin.
bless ~ to show kindness.
kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules. In the New Testament, this word nearly always refers to the people over whom the king rules and not a territory on earth.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
baptise ~ to use water in a special ceremony to show that God has forgiven (washed away) someone’s sin.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Pharisees ~ a group of Jews who tried to keep all God’s rules. Many Pharisees did not approve of Jesus.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
demons ~ evil angels that serve the devil.
angel ~ a servant of God from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages. So, angels are God’s servants from heaven. But there are evil angels who opposed God. These evil angels now serve the devil.
sinners ~ people who sin.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
Lamb ~ a lamb is a young sheep. The title ‘Lamb of God’ is a name for Jesus because he died as a sacrifice for our sin.
sacrifice ~ a gift to God to ask him to forgive sins or to thank him for something.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
preach ~ to speak out God’s message in public and to teach his word.
repent ~ to change one’s mind and heart. People who repent must turn their minds and hearts away from sin. They ask God to help them so that they can now serve him.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
sinful ~ a person who sins is sinful.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
alabaster ~ a soft stone that people used to make small bottles.
perfume ~ oil with a sweet smell.'at peace ~ a right relationship with God, or with other people.
prostitute ~ a woman who sells her body to men for sex.
sandals ~ a shoe with a piece of leather underneath and leather pieces to fit to the foot.
alabaster ~ a soft stone that people used to make small bottles.
denarius ~ a coin. The plural is denarii.
Hebrew ~ the language of the Jews and of the Old Testament.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
Aramaic ~ the language that Jesus spoke.