Luke 7 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

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LUKE 7 IN 5 MINUTES

WHEN:

• The events of chapter 7 were part of Jesus’ ministry on earth.

• These events took place between approximately 26-31 A.D..

CHARACTERS:

• Jesus - The Savior, son of Mary.

• Centurion - A Roman military officer who had a sick servant.

• Widow from Nain - Woman from the town of Nain whose son had just died.

• John the Baptist - Imprisoned prophet of God.

• Simon - A Pharisee who invited Jesus to dine in his house.

• Sinful Woman - Woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil and washed them with her hair.

WHERE:

• The chapter opens in Capernaum where Jesus heals a centurion’s servant.

• He then makes a trip to town southwest of the sea of Galilee, Nain.

• Luke doesn’t tell us where Jesus talked with John’s disciples or the city where Simon the Pharisee lived.

OUTLINE:

• JESUS HEALS A CENTURION’S SERVANT (7:1-7:10):

  • In the city of Capernaum a centurion sent the elders of the Jews to ask Jesus to heal his sick servant.

  • Jesus followed the elders to the centurion’s house.

  • As they were walking, friends of the centurion approached Jesus and told Him the centurion did not believe himself worthy for Jesus to come to his house. He asked Jesus to just say the word and heal his servant.

  • Jesus “marveled” at the man’s faith, lifted him up as an example for the people, and healed his servant.

• A WIDOW’S SON RAISED FROM THE DEAD (7:11-17):

  • While entering the town of Nain, Jesus encountered a funeral procession for the only son of a widow.

  • Jesus had compassion on the woman and raised her son from the dead.

  • The large funeral crowd was amazed and spread the news through the surrounding country.

• MESSENGERS FROM JOHN ASK ABOUT JESUS’ IDENTITY (7:18-7:33):

  • Disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked if He was the Messiah or if they should look elsewhere.

  • Jesus told them to tell John what they had witnessed: the blind received sight, the lame were able to walk, the lepers were cleansed, hearing was restored to the deaf, and the gospel was preached to the poor.

  • Jesus then spoke to the people about John’s honorable character and how the Jews had rejected his message.

• JESUS IS ANOINTED WITH OIL IN A PHARISEE’S HOUSE (7:34-7:50):

  • Simon, a Pharisee, asked Jesus to eat a meal with him at His house.

  • While eating, a sinful woman approached Jesus with an alabaster flask of ointment.

  • She proceeded to wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wash them with her hair.

  • Simon concluded Jesus wasn’t a prophet because no prophet would let a sinner wash his feet.

  • Jesus turned to Simon and corrected Him.

  • Using an illustration about two debtors, Jesus revealed the sinful woman loved God more than Simon.

  • Jesus forgave the woman’s sins, saying, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

BIG PICTURE:

• This chapter puts Jesus’ power over sickness and death on display.

• His power was part of the evidence that He was the one true Messiah.

APPLICATION:

• Sometimes evidence isn’t enough to make people believe. You can provide someone with all the evidence in the world, but if it isn’t received in an open and honest heart, it won’t change a person. Many of the Jews had all the evidence they needed but still rejected both John and Jesus.

• Difficult times can introduce doubts into even the most convicted believers. John taught the people that Jesus was the Messiah but his time in prison may have led him to question Jesus’ identity.

• Sometimes great faith can be observed where we aren’t expecting to find it. The centurion was a military man and most likely a Gentile, it is incredible that although the Jews had been anticipating the Messiah for centuries, the greatest example of faith was found in a Gentile.