The centurion of Capernaum's exceptional faith in Jesus' authority to heal his valued servant with a mere word earns Jesus' amazement and declaration that He has not found such faith even in Israel. Jesus raises the widow of Nain's only son from the funeral bier, prompting acclamation of a great prophet's arising and God's visitation of His people. John the Baptist's disciples inquire whether Jesus is the Coming One, receiving a catalogue of messianic signs, Jesus eulogizes John while pronouncing the tax collectors more righteous than rejecting Pharisees, and a sinful woman's lavish anointing of Jesus' feet with tears, kisses, and ointment prompts the parable of two debtors and the declaration that her many sins are forgiven because she loved much.
Read Luke Chapter 7 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Capernaum was a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee that became the center of Jesus' Galilean ministry. Jesus called it "his own city" and performed many miracles there, including healing Peter's mother-in-law and the centurion's servant. The ruins of a synagogue where Jesus taught can still be seen today.
The wilderness refers to the desert regions of Sinai and Judea. Israel wandered here for 40 years after the Exodus. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness of Judea, and Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. It represents testing, preparation, and encounter with God.
Position in Book
Teaching, miracles, choosing twelve, transfiguration.
Bible Bites
Luke Wrote for Gentiles
Luke is the only Gentile author in the New Testament. A physician by profession, he wrote his Gospel and Acts specifically for a Gentile audience, tracing Jesus' genealogy all the way back to Adam, father of all humanity.
Luke