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 7:36 mean?

Explanation

Luke 7:36 recounts the event of a Pharisee, a member of a Jewish sect known for strict observance of religious rituals and the Law, inviting Jesus to his home for a meal.

This verse sets the stage for what will become an important teaching moment about forgiveness and grace. Jesus accepts the invitation and takes his place at the meal.

While the verse may seem straightforward, it suggests several nuances, such as the Pharisee’s interest in Jesus, the social custom of shared meals as opportunities for discussion and debate, and the significance of a religious leader opening his home to Jesus, which could imply respect or curiosity, or even a test of Jesus' teachings and character.

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Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, the Pharisees were a prominent religious group within Judaism known for their pious adherence to the Law (Torah) and for their interest in oral traditions.

They often held positions of influence and were respected within the community.

Meals were social occasions in the Jewish culture, often associated with discussions of the Law and were seen as exclusive events with societal hierarchies being observed.

It was a period where hospitality was a sacred duty, and inviting a teacher to one's home was a show of honor and respect but could also serve as a platform for challenging the teacher’s views.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse demonstrates Jesus’ willingness to engage with the religious establishment of His day.

Jesus breaking bread with a Pharisee shows His openness to converse with those who are different or even potentially oppositional to His message.

From the Christian perspective, this verse could be seen as a prelude to Jesus’ teaching on love, forgiveness, and the nature of His mission, which often included engaging with individuals from various social and religious backgrounds.

Jesus' actions reflect the inclusivity of His ministry, extending fellowship beyond social barriers and religious differences.

Practical Applications

The passage can be applied to daily life by encouraging inclusivity and openness to dialogue with those who hold different beliefs or opinions.

Accepting invitations and engaging positively with others, especially in settings outside one’s comfort zone, can lead to understanding and growth.

It reinforces the idea that one's home and table can be used as platforms for meaningful conversation and relationship-building, reflecting the hospitality and grace exemplified by Jesus.

Cross-References

Matthew 9:10-11: "And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples."
Mark 2:15-16: "And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him."
Luke 14:1: "And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him."
Luke 11:37: "And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat."

Language Study

The original Greek text uses the word "Pharisaios" for Pharisee, which denotes a member of a particular sect within Judaism known for their strict observance.

The term "desired" is translated from the Greek verb "ἐρωτάω" (erōtaō), which can mean to ask, request, or invite, shedding light on the Pharisee taking the initiative.

The word "sat down to meat" uses the Greek verb "ἀνακλίνω" (anaklinō), indicating reclining at the table, which was a common posture during meals in this culture, emphasizing the social nature of the dining experience.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many cultures of the ancient Near East, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and alliance.

Comparable to this biblical account, ancient myths often narrate stories of gods or divine beings dining with mortals to convey messages or establish covenants.

The idea of sharing a meal crosses many religious boundaries as a sign of community, reconciliation, and communion with the divine.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, shared meals have been studied as social mechanisms that promote group cohesion and trust. Anthropological research includes the act of eating together as a fundamental practice for establishing bonds and understanding within and across cultures.

While there are no direct scientific implications of this particular verse, it does touch on the universal human experience of shared dining fostering relationships.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and theologians interpret this verse within the context of Luke's Gospel as an introduction to a significant lesson on hospitality, social status, and divine grace.

Many commentaries focus on the contrast between the Pharisee, who is seen as self-righteous and adherent to the Law, and the figure of Jesus, who represents grace and challenges societal norms.

Some scholars point out the significance of this verse in demonstrating Jesus' method of teaching through personal engagement and the interactions that will follow this invitation, which further reveal the nature of Jesus' ministry and the radical nature of His message.

Luke 7

Luke 7

What does Luke 7:36 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 7:36 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?