Luke 7 – Great Faith, Compassion, and the Identity of Christ
Luke 7 offers a powerful look into who Jesus is and how people respond to Him. Through miracles, parables, and a prophetic declaration, this chapter invites us to see the Savior through eyes of faith and humility.
When Faith Meets Compassion, the Kingdom Moves
Luke 7 presents people from all walks of life: a Roman soldier, a grieving widow, confused disciples, and a repentant woman. Each encounter reveals something powerful about the character of Christ—and the kind of faith He honors.
✔ A Roman centurion demonstrates unmatched faith.
✔ Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead.
✔ John the Baptist seeks confirmation of Christ’s identity.
✔ A sinful woman’s act of worship stirs both controversy and grace.
📖 Luke 7:22 – “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.”
🔎 Luke 7 calls us to see Christ as the fulfillment of prophecy—and to respond with bold, humble faith.
Luke Chapter 7 - Overview
Luke 7:1–10 – The Faith of the Centurion
📖 Luke 7:6–7 – “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.”
🔎 The centurion, a Gentile and Roman officer, recognizes Jesus’ authority in a way few in Israel do. He demonstrates great humility and unwavering belief in Christ’s spoken word. Jesus marvels—not at his power, but his faith. This officer likely made the connection between Jesus and divine authority by observing Christ’s reputation: healings, teachings, and command over spiritual forces. As a man under authority himself, he intuitively understood rank and power. He believed Jesus had divine backing—not unlike how soldiers follow a command from Caesar. Where others saw a rabbi, the centurion saw the King of Heaven.
📖 Luke 7:9 – “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.”
🔎 Jesus is astonished. The faith that impresses the Lord is not found in religious circles, but in a Gentile outsider who understands divine authority. This man likely grasped spiritual truth by comparing Jesus’ authority to the military command structure he knew well. He recognized that Christ’s words carried the same—if not greater—weight than a Roman order backed by imperial power. Where scribes demanded signs, the centurion discerned power in a word.
Luke 7:11–17 – The Widow’s Son Raised
📖 Luke 7:13–15 – “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.”
🔎 Compassion moves Christ to intervene. He touches the place of death and commands life to return. This miracle isn’t requested—it flows from divine love.
📖 Luke 7:16 – “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.”
🔎 The people recognize divine visitation. This act echoes Old Testament prophets like Elijah—but Jesus goes even further. He gives life because He is the Life.
Luke 7:18–35 – John’s Question, Christ’s Answer
📖 Luke 7:20 – “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?”
🔎 Even John the Baptist has questions. The one who baptized Jesus, saw the Spirit descend, and declared Him the Lamb of God now wrestles with uncertainty in prison. This is not weakness—it’s human. Jesus doesn’t rebuke him—He responds with evidence: fulfilled prophecy in motion. The same Savior who calms storms meets doubt with grace. Christ affirms John’s role and reassures his heart, proving that even the strongest can struggle—and still be called great in the kingdom.
📖 Luke 7:22–23 – “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.”
🔎 Jesus ties His identity to Isaiah’s prophecies. The works speak for themselves. Faith that overcomes offense is blessed.
📖 Luke 7:28 – “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.”
🔎 John’s greatness lay in his role—but the kingdom Jesus brings redefines greatness through humility and faith.
Luke 7:36–50 – The Sinful Woman Forgiven
📖 Luke 7:37–38 – “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.”
🔎 Her worship is bold, broken, and beautiful. Her tears speak what words cannot. She risks shame to show love—and Jesus welcomes it.
📖 Luke 7:47–48 – “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.”
🔎 Forgiveness ignites love. The more we understand our need, the deeper our worship. Jesus offers full pardon to the one the world rejects.
📖 Luke 7:50 – “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
🔎 Faith—not works, not status—opens the door to salvation. Christ sends her away with peace, not condemnation.
Luke Chapter 7 - Deeper Study
Overview: Faith Recognized, Mercy Extended
🔹 Timeframe: Early in Jesus’ public ministry, following the Sermon on the Plain.
🔹 Setting: Capernaum, Nain, surrounding towns, and a Pharisee’s home.
🔹 Theme: Faith, mercy, and Christ’s identity as Messiah are unveiled.
🔹 Connection to Future Events: The healing of the centurion’s servant and the raising of the dead foreshadow deeper revelations of Jesus’ divine power and coming resurrection.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Great faith often comes from unexpected people.
🔑 Jesus moves with compassion even when unasked.
🔑 Doubts are not rejected—they’re answered with truth.
🔑 Love grows in the soil of forgiveness.
🔑 Jesus sees through our labels and offers lasting peace.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Isaiah’s Messianic signs are fulfilled (Isaiah 35:5–6; 61:1).
🔮 The widow’s son mirrors Elijah’s miracle (1 Kings 17).
🔮 John as the forerunner echoes Malachi 3:1.
🔮 The woman’s worship reflects Psalm 51:17—“a broken and contrite heart.”
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Roman centurions were typically outsiders to Jewish faith—this one stood out for humility.
📜 Widowhood left women economically and socially vulnerable.
📜 Jewish expectation of the Messiah focused on political power—Jesus challenges that.
📜 Anointing with ointment was a deeply intimate and expensive act of devotion.
💡 Final Reflection: How Do You Respond to Jesus?
Luke 7 reveals how the centurion, the widow, John the Baptist, and the sinful woman all encountered Christ—and responded differently. But in each case, faith made the difference.
📌 Do you trust His word—even without seeing the result?
📌 Are you allowing compassion to move you toward others?
📌 Have you brought your brokenness to His feet?
📖 Luke 7:50 – “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
🔥 May your story, like hers, end in peace because it began in faith.
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
Luk 7:1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
Luk 7:2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
Luk 7:3 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.
Luk 7:4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
Luk 7:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
Luk 7:6 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:
Luk 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Luk 7:8 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.
Luk 7:9 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.
Luk 7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
Luk 7:11 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.
Luk 7:12 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.
Luk 7:13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
Luk 7:14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Luk 7:15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
Luk 7:16 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.
Luk 7:17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
Messengers from John the Baptist
Luk 7:18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
Luk 7:19 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?
Luk 7:20 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?
Luk 7:21 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.
Luk 7:22 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.
Luk 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Luk 7:24 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?
Luk 7:25 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.
Luk 7:26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Luk 7:27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Luk 7:28 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.
Luk 7:29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Luk 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
Luk 7:31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
Luk 7:32 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.
Luk 7:33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
Luk 7:34 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!
Luk 7:35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
Luk 7:36 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.
Luk 7:37 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,
Luk 7:38 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.
Luk 7:39 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.
Luk 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
Luk 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
Luk 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Luk 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
Luk 7:44 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.
Luk 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luk 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luk 7:47 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.
Luk 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Luk 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Luk 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Date Written
Around 60-62 AD
Written By
Luke the physician
Language
Greek
Verses
50