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 7:27 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 7:27 contains a statement by Jesus about John the Baptist, referencing a prophecy found in the Old Testament.

The passage is indicative of Jesus affirming John's role as the forerunner to the Messiah.

Within Christian Theology, John the Baptist is often seen as a prophetic figure who prepared the way for Jesus' ministry.

The phrase "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee" echoes the prophecies found in Isaiah and Malachi, where a messenger is predicted to herald the advent of the Lord.

This establishes a direct link between the Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament events surrounding Jesus' life.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Luke 7:27 is set within the Gospel narrative of Luke, written by Luke the Evangelist, one of the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament.

Historically, this Gospel is placed within the context of 1st-century Roman Judea.

The verse specifically is a testimonial of Jesus' regard for John the Baptist at a time when John had sent disciples to Jesus to inquire about whether Jesus was the anticipated Messiah.

The verse is an affirmation and validation of John the Baptist's role in accordance with Jewish Messianic expectations.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Luke 7:27 has several layers of meaning.

First, it confirms the divine mission of John the Baptist as the foreordained forerunner to Jesus Christ.

Second, it establishes Jesus as the predicted Messiah according to Jewish prophecy.

Close examination by theologians might argue that the verse demonstrates the unity of the Biblical narrative, linking Old Testament prophecies with their fulfillment in the New Testament.

Theologians across different Christian denominations may place varying degrees of emphasis on prophecy and fulfillment narratives within their doctrinal frameworks.

Practical Applications

Luke 7:27 can be applied in various practical ways.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and serving others.

Just as John the Baptist did not claim to be the Messiah but took on the role of preparing others for the arrival of Jesus, individuals can strive to support and uplift others in their spiritual journeys.

Additionally, the verse can inspire believers to place trust in divine timing and to recognize that they may play a part in a larger divine plan.

Cross-References

Malachi 3:1: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts."
Isaiah 40:3: "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
Matthew 11:10: "For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "messenger" is "ἄγγελος" (angelos), which can be translated as "angel" or "messenger", depending on the context. This term was used to describe John the Baptist and signified someone who is sent with a divine message.

The Greek also uses the word "ὁδόν" (hodon) for "way," which is metaphorically used to describe the moral and spiritual path or direction one should take.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing this verse to other cultural and religious beliefs, some parallels can be drawn with various figures that act as forerunners or heralds of greater deities or divine events in different mythologies.

The role of John the Baptist resembles that of figures who serve to prepare the people or the world for a significant transformation or the coming of a great leader or god.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, Luke 7:27 does not directly intersect with scientific concepts as it is a theological and historical statement within the Christian faith.

However, the practices of history and archaeology can provide context and validation for the time and place of the events described in this verse.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians provide insights into Luke 7:27.

Commentators like Matthew Henry point out that Jesus is highlighting the honor and importance of John the Baptist's ministry as divinely ordained.

William Barclay notes the revolutionary aspect of John's and Jesus' ministries in the context of 1st-century Judaism, and the alignment of this to ancient prophecy.

Modern commentators and theologians continue to explore the depth of the connection between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, using this verse as a significant bridge between the two.

Luke 7

Luke 7

What does Luke 7:27 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 7:27 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?