Luke 7

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

But wisdom is justified of all her children.

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

What does Luke 7:17 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 7:17, "And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about," refers to the spreading of Jesus' fame following the miracles and teachings he performed.

The term "rumour" in this context signifies "report" or "news" and not a false story.

The spreading of this news indicates that Jesus' acts and message were gaining traction and attention among the people, suggesting both the remarkable nature of his deeds and the growing curiosity and interest in his person and ministry.

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Historical Context

Luke 7:17 falls within the context of the early ministry of Jesus in the region of Galilee and its surroundings.

During this period, Jesus performed various miracles that astonished the people, including the raising of the widow’s son at Nain just before this verse.

News of such miracles would spread quickly in the tightly knit communities of Judea and bolster Jesus' reputation among the populace.

The historical setting is thus a first-century Jewish context under Roman occupation, where news of a wonder-worker like Jesus would have been of great interest.

Theological Insights

Luke's gospel often emphasizes the divine authority and power of Jesus, portraying him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and as the one who brings God’s salvation.

This verse serves as an acknowledgment of the spreading of Jesus' ministry and implicitly affirms his authority.

Theologically, from a Christian viewpoint, it indicates the unfolding of God's plan for Jesus to become known as the Messiah.

From a predestinarian perspective, the spreading of Jesus' fame could be interpreted as God's providence in action.
Contrastingly, a more free-will orientated theology might emphasize the human agency in the spread of Jesus' reputation.

Practical Applications

The passage reminds believers of the importance of witnessing and sharing news of profound experiences.

Just as the reports of Jesus' works spread through personal accounts, individuals today can relate how their lives have been affected by their faith.

It underscores the value of testimony in faith communities and encourages believers to spread the word of their own transformative experiences.

Cross-References

Matthew 9:26: "And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land."
Mark 1:28: "And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee."
Acts 10:37: "That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;"

Language Study

"Rumour" (φήμη, pheme): In the original Greek, it connotes a report or saying rather than an unsubstantiated story.
"Went forth" (ἐξέρχομαι, exerchomai): Suggests the act of spreading or emanating, as in a message or news leaving its source.
"Judaea" (Ἰουδαία, Ioudaia): Refers to the Roman province of Judea, not just the ancient tribal lands of Judah.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of other ancient religions, rumors of miraculous events were not uncommon. For example, stories about healing and resurrection are also found in Egyptian and Greco-Roman mythologies.

However, the claims about Jesus were tied to a historical figure with a message of spiritual salvation, which differentiates the Christian narrative from mythological stories typically involving deities and demigods.

Scientific Perspectives

The spreading of information in any form, whether rumor or fact, can be studied under the domains of psychology and sociology.

While this verse does not directly deal with scientific content, the phenomenon of how news spreads in communities can be analyzed using modern communication theories. The speed at which Jesus' fame grew can be compared to viral transmission, albeit in a pre-internet era.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians note the significance of this verse in underscoring Jesus' growing influence.

For instance, Matthew Henry’s commentary suggests that the spread of Jesus' renown is a fulfillment of God’s promise to make the Messiah known.

Others, like the Pulpit Commentary, discuss how Jesus’ miracles were a testament to his divine mission and served as an authentic foundation for the faith that would develop around his teachings.

Luke 7

Luke 7

What does Luke 7:17 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 7:17 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?