Luke 8:16-18

 ¹⁶ “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. ¹⁷ For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. ¹⁸ Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Having given and explained to us His parable of the Sower, Jesus now reinforces it by telling us another brief parable. In this He uses a lamp to describe His Word as a lamp set on a lampstand so that it’s illuminating light may go out to all His followers, so that all who enter into His discipleship may see, know and believe the truth and revelations of God’s Word. For as He says, “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.” ^{vs. 17} For with the Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival the opening up of the Scriptures, and thus the mysteries of God to His disciples through His apostles and prophets is upon us all (Rom. 16:25-27; Eph. 1:9-10; 3:4-7; 5:13-14). Therefore, it is incumbent upon each and every one of us to receive His Word reverently, and to believe His Word completely, as Jesus says, “Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” ^{vs. 18}  
Those then who take lightly God’s Word, or who take it as one of “many truths” will by their doing so, be shut out from having any of its truths given to or retained by them!

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 8:4-15

⁴ And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: ⁵ “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. ⁶ Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. ⁸ But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” ⁹ Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?” ¹⁰ And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’ ¹¹ “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³ But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴ Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. ¹⁵ But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Commentary
Vs. 4-8 ⁴ And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: ⁵ “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. ⁶ Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. ⁷ And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. ⁸ But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

With a great multitude of people being assembled from every city in that region; (and thus there were people gathered there from all walks of life); the Lord Jesus Christ now tells them a parable to draw an analogy of Himself teaching and preaching the Word of God, and people’s various responses to it. Now the parable isn’t limited to just His Person teaching and preaching the Word of God, but at its heart is His Word, and its effect on people’s hearts, minds, and lives wherever it is sown. To begin then Jesus tells of a Sower who went out to sow His seed. Now the picture here is of a man with a bag of seed on his side walking through a field, who as He walked cast His seed on either side of himself, and so it was that some of the seed fell by the wayside, and was trampled down, and the birds of the air came and devoured it (vs. 5). Next Jesus says that some of the seed feel on the rock (that were in the field) and so it soon sprang up, however it withered away because it lacked moisture, for having no root in the soil it could not survive (vs. 6). In His third example Jesus then says that some of the seed fell amongst the thorns, and thorns sprang up with the seed and choked it out (vs. 7). Now in His finial example Jesus says that some of the seed fell on good ground, sprang up and yielded a crop a hundredfold! When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (vs. 8)

Vs. 9-10 ⁹ Then His disciples asked Him, saying, “What does this parable mean?” ¹⁰ And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’

The disciples then having heard these things and not immediately understanding them, now ask Jesus what these things mean (vs. 9). Now Jesus in answering says to them “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’ ^{vs. 10} Thus Jesus says that His true disciples will be given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, while those who are only shallow in the faith, and or seeking God, will have His truths concealed from them. Therefore, the mysteries of the Kingdom of God will come to them in parables.

Vs. 11-15 ¹¹ “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³ But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴ Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. ¹⁵ But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Jesus now explains His parable by first saying that the seed is the Word of God (vs. 11). And like all seed that is sown the Word of God does not always take root in people’s hearts and lives. For it is clear that only one fourth of what is sown yields a crop, and yet that crop will yield a bounty of hundredfold! Therefore, in the first example that Jesus gave of the seed falling by the wayside and being trampled underfoot and then devoured by the birds of the air, in actuality is those people who hear the Word of God, but then the devil comes and takes away the Word of God out of their hearts lest they believe and be saved (vs. 12). Those people then are the ungodly mockers and scoffers who hear, but whose hearts and minds and lives have been given over to the devil and his domain. And so, they have no desire for it, other than to hold it in contempt and trample it underfoot.


Next Jesus explains about the seed that fell on the rock, that as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. This then represents those who when they hear the Word of God, receive it with joy, who believe for a while, however in time of temptation fall away (vs. 13). For many a Christian has started out well, but when faced with temptation instead of battling through it (consider Heb. 12:3-6), surrender to it, or revert back to what God called them out of, and so sadly they fall away from the faith.

In His third analogy Jesus described how some of the seed fell amongst the thorns and when both sprang up together, the thorns chocked out the Word of God. Thus, in explaining this Jesus says that the seed that fell amongst the thorns are those who when they have heard go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (vs. 14) because other things take “priority” in their lives. The first warning then is don’t let your faith and life be consumed by the cares of this life. For all such worries about this thing or that, will only choke out the Word of God and leave you fruitless in the end, if your life is lived is consumed with the cares and concerns of this life. For many a Christian never finds their true calling and purpose because they’re lives are consumed by their own worries, fears, and anxieties about this thing or that. For a life of faith to be fruitful and abundant one must walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). 
Next in the thorn’s analogy is “riches”. Given the Lord Jesus many warnings about riches and their effect on the human heart it’s amazing that people still desire, seek and pursue earthly riches which will only leave them Spiritually bankrupt in the end (consider Prov. 23:4-5). And so, Jesus here warns again about them saying that they are a cause of many a person falling away from Him, because of their desires for and pursuits of them (consider 1 Tim 6:9-11; James 1:9-11 etc.). Last then is the thorns that choke out the Word of God, and thus bring no fruit to maturity is as Jesus explains His parable the “pleasures of life.” For there are many things that people desire and love to do that have nothing to do with serving the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Now these things in of themselves are not wrong, rather it is the emphasis and time that one places and spends on them that is the danger. For laboring in the Word of God is hard work; it requires discipline and self-denial and time, something which all our lives desperately lack. Nonetheless our service for Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of heaven reaps its own rewards and pleasures if one remains faithful in it. Therefore, in His last warning, Jesus warns us all not to let the pleasures of life overtake our faith in and pursuits for Him. For like all things, the pleasures of life only last for a season (read Ecclesiastes 12:1-14; vs. 12-14 if in doubt, and take King Solomon’s wise judgment to heart); but our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the work that we do for Him will last and will be handsomely repaid for all eternity! Therefore, in concluding explaining His parable Jesus now explains that the seed that the Sower sowed and fell on good ground “…are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” ^{vs. 15} The optimum word being that we bear fruit with patience, that is not in a season but over the course of ones new and wonderful faith life as a new creation In Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). For it is in the highs and the lows and temptations and trials that we must pass through that Godly character is being forged and reinforced in us so that we might bear greater fruit (consider John 15:1-8). Therefore, brethren remain faithful and steadfast in your faith and Godly convictions and continue on in following Jesus Christ and serving Him whenever and wherever you can, because only those who remain faithful to Him will be rewarded by Him. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” ^{1 Cor. 15:58}

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 8:1-3

 ¹ Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, ² and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, ³ and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.

Commentary
Having freely forgiven a repentant sinful woman while dinning in a Pharisees house. Jesus now goes through every city and village in that region, “preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.” Thus, many would’ve also experienced the grace and forgiveness and love of God for them while Jesus was there. Now the twelve were also with Jesus while He was doing so, and they too would’ve been observing and thus learning of all these things. Now the Scripture briefly notes that there was certain woman who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities who were also with the twelve and who ministered to Jesus. The first mentioned is Mary Magdalene a woman who had seven demons cast out of her. And thus, like the previous sinful woman Jesus forgave, Mary Magdalene would have been a social outcast, and likely estranged from the greater faith community. After her is mentioned Joanna the wife of a man named Chuza, who was Herod’s steward. And thus, he was the man who ran Herod’s household. How his wife came to know and follow Jesus is untold, nonetheless the Gospel is never bound to social or economic boundaries, but reaches all people from all walks of life everywhere! Then there is a woman named Susanna, who is mentioned along with many other women as also providing for Jesus from their own substance. These women then who would’ve been unknown to crowds and multitudes whom Jesus preached too and healed were themselves ministering to Him! And thus, their contribution to Him from their own substance so He could keep ministering to one and to all is now recalled and mentioned, because what they did will never be forgotten by Him. Rest assured then all woman who likewise down through the centuries who also ministered to those who were, and are, ministering the Gospel will likewise never be forgotten, but they’re good works and deeds and sacrifices for Him will be recalled and repaid by Him in heaven.

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 7:36-50

³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. ³⁷ And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, ³⁸ and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” ⁴¹ “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” ⁴⁴ Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷ Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Commentary
Vs. 36 “Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.”

Having declared that “wisdom is justified by all her children” ^{Luke 7:35} in the defense of John the Baptist and Himself. Jesus is now asked by one of the Pharisees there to come and eat with him. And so, Jesus graciously accepts the man’s invitation to dine with him, and goes to the Pharisees house.

Vs. 37-38 ³⁷ And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, ³⁸ and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

Now in that city there was a woman who was sinner; meaning she was known throughout it as being a sinner. Nonetheless when she knew that Jesus sat at the table (more like reclined sideways on a couch) in the Pharisees house, she did something that was very extraordinary and contrite. For she came into the house, and having brought with her an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, she stood at Jesus’ feet behind Him weeping. And she began to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now why did she kiss Jesus’ feet? because these same feet that walked into the Pharisees house; which she stood behind because she felt unworthy to see His face, which she washed with her tears, and wiped dry with the hair of her head, which she kissed before anointing them with the fragrant oil, will be the same feet which will walk to the Cross to redeem her soul. Thus, this woman understood who Jesus’ was, and who she had been, and thus she knew that she could do nothing to redeem herself, or make herself acceptable to God, and so all she could do was offer her tears and contrition at the feet and of the One who could.

Vs. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

Now rest assured though it was a common practice to have an “open door” policy when it came to hosting meals and feasts and such, since hospitality was a greatly regarded virtue amongst the Jews. Had not Jesus been known for His own courtesy and hospitality towards one and all, this woman may never have been permitted to stay. Nonetheless the Pharisee who invited Jesus when he saw her enter said nothing, and while she showed all manner of contriteness and humility, mixed with her great thanksgiving towards Jesus, also said nothing. And yet, having seen it all, and instead of being moved by it all, can now only find it in his heart to doubt Jesus’ Person by saying to himself, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

Vs. 40-43 ⁴⁰ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” ⁴¹ “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”

Now as soon as Simon thought such things about the Lord Jesus Christ and the woman’s own displays of contrition and thanksgiving towards Jesus. Jesus knowing that Simon was speaking such things about Him in his heart now asks him a question about two debtors, one owes five hundred denarii and the other owes fifty, therefore Jesus asks him, “And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” To which Simon reasons out and replies by saying: “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And with Jesus says to him, “You have rightly judged.” And yet in having judged the parable of Jesus rightly, Simon could not discern nor judge the very real manner in which the woman was behaving toward Jesus and the very real mercy that He was about to bestow on her because of her own faith in Him.

Vs. 44-46 ⁴⁴ Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.

With Simons right reply to His parable of the two debtors, and yet he remained spiritually blind to his own need, Jesus now turns to the woman, (who had previously been behind His feet) and now says to Simon: “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.” ^{vs. 44}

Indeed, one of the first things that ancient hosts would do would be too offer water and towels for their guests to wash their feet. It was a very common gesture, and yet Simon in wanting to checkout Jesus for himself, and see if he was really a prophet, completely overlooked that. However, as Jesus notes the woman whom Simon condemned in his heart, when she saw Jesus, she immediately went to Him and washed His feet with her tears and wiped them dry with the hair of her head. In other words, she had no doubts about who Jesus’ Person was, and knowing who He was (and what she had been) she was exceedingly sorrowful before Him. Similarly then Jesus says to Simon that when He entered Simons house Simon gave Him no kiss of greeting (again a completely common congenially gesture that ancient hosts practiced by kissing their guests on the cheek upon greeting and receiving them), and yet Simon likely hedging his bets did not want to extend such a welcome and greeting to Jesus, just in case Jesus didn’t turn out to be who He was. Therefore, Jesus says to Simon: “You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.” ^{vs. 45} Thus Simon didn’t even think Jesus worthy of a greeting kiss on the cheek, and yet the sinful woman only thought herself worthy of kissing His feet!

Again, Jesus says in recalling Simons own actions towards Him, and that of the sinful woman’s, now says to him, “You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.” ^{vs. 46}

Simon then didn’t even extend the courtesy of anointing Jesus head with just some common oil (again a common gesture of hospitality) while the sinful woman, not feeling worthy to touch Jesus’ head anointed His feet with the very costly fragrant oil. Quite a contrast then in how each one viewed Jesus and themselves in relation to Him.

Vs. 47-50 ⁴⁷ Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Jesus then in concluding His rebuke of Simons evil judgment of Him, now says to him, Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Thus, revealing the true nature of those who belong to God and those who don’t. For though Simon had all the religion, and knew all its laws and practices, yet he had little faith in, and love for God, because he had never experienced the grace and love of God for him. For his faith was essentially on his keeping and observing his religion, as it was taught him, and thus he had never opened his heart to God, (as the sinful woman did) and so he never experienced the depths of God’s love and mercies and forgiveness and restorative power for him, which then spills over into how one sees and perceives others. Especially in how one sees and perceives God. For as Jesus says, “But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” ^{vs. 47} Having said as much Jesus now turns to the sinful woman and says to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ^{vs. 48} Which then brings the immediate consternation of those who were sitting around the table (vs. 49). Nonetheless Jesus is unmoved by their unbelief, and continues from His heart to hers, by saying to her, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” ^{vs. 50}
Thus, not her morally “perfect’ life, nor her religion, nor her faithfully observing all its decrees and practices, as Simon likely held and did, but her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who has all Authority and Power to forgive sins, is what saved her, and will save you too, if you also repent and believe in Him as the Scripture has said.

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 7:31-35

³¹ And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’ ³³ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ ³⁴ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ³⁵ But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Commentary
The Lord Jesus Christ having declared that the multitudes who were baptized by John justified God (that is proved that God is Righteous) in being baptized by him, now turns to those who did not do so, that is “the men of this generation”; meaning those who did not believe John and thus were not baptized by him. Saying: “They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’ ^{vs. 32}
And thus, they treat God as if He is required to move to their “music” and be swayed by their “mourning” and “dance.” However, God does not move, nor respond by obeying one’s own ideas about Him, nor does He adhere to the traditions and commandments of men. And so since both John and Jesus did not act, nor respond as they would have them do, they found fault with both of them. For John the Baptist’s very ascetic and isolated lifestyle they used only to dismiss him and his message of repentance towards God by saying of him, ‘He has a demon.’ (Vs. 33) While Jesus ate and drank with His disciples and He befriended one and all, and so they only said of Him, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ^{vs. 34} And so it is no matter what they did, or would do, the unbelieving generation always found a fault with them. For that is what they do, they always find a fault with Jesus, or with His disciples, or with Christianity in general. No matter what He, or even any of His disciples do, the unbelieving generation will always be unmoved by them. Therefore, Jesus in concluding says, “But wisdom is justified by all her children.” That is the fruits of the Lord Jesus Christ’s own life as well as all the peoples redeemed souls and transformed lives by Him will always and perpetually justify the Wisdom of God that is God’s Son.

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 7:24-30

²⁴ When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵ But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ ²⁸ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” ²⁹ And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

Commentary
Vs. 24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

The Lord Jesus then having healed many and restored sight to the blind in the very presence of the messengers sent from John the Baptist to Him; and so with their departure to report back to John what they have seen and heard Jesus now begins to speak to multitudes of people around Him concerning John. Asking them what did they go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? That is when they heard of John’s preaching in desert and they went out to see who this was, did they expect to find some preacher whose message and faith would soon start to wane because of those forces who would oppose him. No John the Baptist was so much more than a would be “preacher” looking to make some disciples for himself. For John the Baptist was the messenger sent before the Christ, therefore he will keep his faith In the Lord Jesus Christ to the end.

Vs. 25 “But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.”

Neither then was John a faith “celebrity” who was well dressed and well-manicured who ran with, and ran after, the “power brokers” and the money crowd.

Vs. 26-28 ²⁶ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ ²⁸ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Now for those curiosity seekers who went out to see John the Baptist because they wanted to see a real-life prophet, Jesus says that John was so much more than just another prophet, for “This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ ^{vs. 27} Thus in quoting from Malachi 3:1 Jesus is saying that John the Baptist was the foretold messenger who was sent by God to prepare the way before Him. Therefore, the people needed to know and understand that John’s person and ministry was not born of himself, but has its origins in God, to fulfill His Word. Therefore, John was God’s messenger sent before the Lord Jesus Christ to prepare the way for Him. And as such no prophet born of women is greater than John the Baptist, because he was chosen to announce and baptize, God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore having elevated John the Baptist to the prestige that Christ’s forerunner must have, Jesus now says to crowds, … “but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” In other words, do not be satisfied to have known or known of John the Baptist, and thus been baptized by him, because “he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” For Johns ministry and life was wrapped up on earth, but the Lord Jesus Christ’s, and thus all who believe in Him are eternally bound to Him in the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore, even the least person there is greater than John the Baptist was down here.

Vs. 29-30 ²⁹ And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

So it was when all the people heard Jesus, even the tax collectors justified God; that is by their obeying God in repenting and being baptized by John as He wanted all of Israel to do they justified Him, that is they proved that He was right in having sent John to preach to them to repent and then be baptized (i.e. be ceremonially cleansed or washed of all their sins and transgressions) in preparation for His Son (Acts 13:23-24). However, as the Scripture notes the Pharisees and lawyers (i.e. authorities in the Law) rejected God’s will for themselves, by not repenting and being baptized by John. Therefore, in rejecting the Will of God for themselves they shut themselves out of the Kingdom of God, because know one who rejected John’s baptism, ever received the Lord Jesus Christ’s Baptism (antithesis Acts 19:1-7).

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 7:18–23

¹⁸ Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. ¹⁹ And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” ²⁰ When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” ²¹ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. ²² Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. ²³ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Commentary

Vs. 18-20 ¹⁸ Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. ¹⁹ And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” ²⁰ When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ”

The report then of Jesus raising the widow’s son from the dead even reaches the ears of John the Baptist who was then imprisoned by Herod (Luke 3:18-20). For John the Baptist having fulfilled God’s purpose in proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; and having rebuked Herod for all the evils which he had done, and was doing, was now imprisoned by him, and so John having a limited revelation of the Will of God does not know why since Jesus Christ is doing all things why He doesn’t release him and all of Israel from Roman bondage and set up His Kingdom. For every Jews expectation of the Messiah was that when He came, He would do just that. Therefore, John upon hearing of Jesus’ mighty works that are clearly revealing Him as the Messiah is uncertain as to why these things are. Therefore, he sends some of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” John then because of his inability to understand his own circumstances is looking for a confirmation from Jesus, something that is not unique to him.

Vs. 21-23 ²¹ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. ²² Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. ²³ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Therefore, in that very hour when John the Baptist through the messengers he sent to Him came seeking a confirmation from Jesus about His Person, Jesus cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight (vs. 21). Which is just as what happens today when people’s faith wanes because of their own circumstances, Jesus does not stop working as the Christ and Savior of the world, but He is still transforming people and their lives, interceding for His brethren everywhere (Heb. 4:14-16). Therefore, Jesus having received John’s messengers now tells them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” ^{vs. 22} All which are the very works of God that the Scripture said Jesus Christ would do (Isaiah 29:18-19; 35:5-6; 61:1). Therefore, John as Jesus’ forerunner was to be fully assured that whom he proclaimed as the Lamb of God and Savior of the world was indeed Jesus Christ. Now in John’s defense he did not see these mighty works himself, for having proclaimed Jesus Christ as the Coming One his ministry was effectively over. Therefore, Jesus in reassuring John by His Words that He spoke to John’s messengers sent to Him, now concludes His message by saying, “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Therefore, Jesus in saying as much to John the Baptist, and to all who are likewise burdened by their own circumstances and troubles, and are wondering if God has abandoned them (which He does not) for men may abandon Him, but God abandons no one who keeps their faith in Him. Therefore, in saying as much, Jesus is saying to us all keep your faith in Me. Even though you don’t understand everything I am doing, or not doing, keep your faith in Jesus Christ and do not be one of those who takes an offense at Him, and thus walks away from Him. For if you do keep your faith in Jesus Christ your blessing is assured! For though John may have had his questions while imprisoned, guaranteed when the messengers returned to him, and told him all that Jesus was doing, and had said, John would’ve been completely assured that Jesus Christ is not only the Coming One, (and thus he was completely right in what he did for Him, and how he preached Him to one and to all) but he also would’ve rejoiced in having known Him, and continued to believe in Him. John then could go to his grave in peace for he had done the Will of God. You also then be assured and continue to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ so that God’s blessing may eternally be upon you. For “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” ^{Ezra 8:22}

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 7:11-17

¹¹ Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. ¹² And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” ¹⁴ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” ¹⁵ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. ¹⁶ Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” ¹⁷ And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.  

Commentary 
Vs. 11-12 ¹¹ Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. ¹² And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 

Jesus having healed the centurion’s servant on the next day moves from Capernaum to a city (i.e. village or town) called Nain (which means: lovely, pleasant, delightful) referring to the green pastures southwest of Capernaum. Now as Jesus journeyed many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd (vs. 11). Now as He came near the gate of the city, there was a dead man in a coffin being carried outside the city to be buried; this man was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and there was a large crowd with her, and so this would’ve been a sad and emotionally moving scene indeed. 

Vs. 13-17 ¹³ When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” ¹⁴ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” ¹⁵ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. ¹⁶ Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” ¹⁷ And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

Now when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” ^{Vs. 13} Jesus then not only felt the woman’s sorrow in that moment, but also, He knew what He was about to do for her when He said that to her. Jesus then draws near the coffin and touches it, and those who were carrying it stood still; not because they knew what Jesus was going to do, but generally no Jew under the law of Moses was allowed to come into contact with a corpse, for that would make them ceremonially defiled and require their ritual cleansing (Num. 19:11-13). And so, when Jesus, being a rabbi in their eyes, approached them and touched the coffin, they instinctively just stopped, which is precisely why Jesus did so. And having stopped Jesus says to young man’s corpse: “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And with that Word from Jesus the young man who was dead sat up and began to speak! Therefore, being lowered to the ground alive and climbing out of the coffin Jesus now presents the young man alive to his previously weeping, but now obviously stunned and amazed mother (vs. 15). Now when the crowds all saw this the Scripture says: Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” ^{vs. 16} Unlike then the healing of the centurions servant which was not on public display, Jesus here wanted everyone to see and understand that God is in the midst of His people, and He is working mighty and merciful works on their behalf. And in some ways in doing so Jesus openly demonstrates that just as he called the young man back to life, so He now calls young and old men and woman and even children back to life by calling us all to put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! For when anyone does, they too will be raised from the dead, from now being spiritually dead to God and brought to new and everlasting life! With Jesus having had mercy on the poor widow and raised her son from the dead, the report then of what Jesus did now goes out into all of Judea and all the surrounding region. Because that was where the Jews religion was centered; for it was from there that all things pertaining to God’s people were discussed and discerned. For that was where Jerusalem was, and thus the Temple, and the high priest, and the temple priests, along with the Sadducees and Pharisees and all the major authorities and thus the Sanhedrin counsel were. For all the major “power brokers” in their religion were centered there. And so word of these mighty works that Jesus was doing was going out not just into the regions where He was doing them, but were quite intentionally by the Will of God meant to reach to the very heart of Judaism, and thus to stir hearts and minds there, for it would be there where Jesus will make His triumphal entry as their Messiah and King when the time came for Him to do so. 

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 7:1–10

¹ Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. ² And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. ³ So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, ⁵ “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” ⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ⁹ When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” ¹⁰ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Commentary

Vs. 1 “Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.”


The Lord Jesus then having concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people; for Jesus’ Word is not just for the twelve, or His own disciples and followers, but for all people everywhere, for it is by His Word that He draws all people to Himself, John 12:32); and so, having completed all His sayings in the hearing of all the people, Jesus now enters Capernaum again, the most prominent city on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee, the area where Jesus first called His disciples, and thus it will be from there that Jesus will not only teach many, but where many of His miracles and healings will take place (consider Mark 2:1-12; Luke 4:31-39; John 4:46-54; John 6 etc.).


Vs. 2-3 ² And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. ³ So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.


Therefore, when Jesus entered Capernaum; His Name and Fame already being widespread in the region; and a certain Centurion; that is a Roman military commander who had a sick servant who heard that Jesus was now in Capernaum, believing that Jesus could heal his servant, he now sends to Him some elders of the Jews to plead with Him and come heal his servant. Now generally the Jews distained all Roman authority, especially their military authority, since it was by them, they were kept in subjection to the Rome. Nonetheless this centurion, like the one later mentioned in Acts chapter 10, will stand out for his faith in the One true God.

Vs. 4-5 ⁴ And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, ⁵ “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”


And so, it was when these elders of the Jews came to Jesus, they earnestly begged Him to heal the centurion’s servant, saying to Jesus that he was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

Quite a remarkable statement for them to say about him, therefore he clearly must have endeared himself to them, and not just in building them a synagogue (i.e. a place of worship), for even before they mentioned that they said, “he loves our nation.” Therefore, he must have been a just and righteous man indeed for them to be willing to appeal to Jesus on his behalf.


Vs. 6-8 ⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”


Jesus then having heard the elders of Jews pleas now goes with them. Now as Jesus drew near the place where the centurion’s servant lay sick, the centurion sends some friends to Jesus saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ^{Vs. 7-8}


In the centurion’s words to Jesus there is not only great humility; but also, and most importantly faith. Which are key ingredients to having the Lord Jesus Christ answer one’s own prayers. Indeed, so confident was the centurion in Jesus ability to heal his servant that he says to Jesus through the messengers he sent to Him, “But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ^{Vs. 7-8}


This Roman Centurion then had come to learn from his own experiences that just as he directs men to go here or go there, or to do this or to do that, and so they do because he is a man under the authority of Rome, and thus he is exercising its authority when he speaks and commands such things, thus the men obey him. So, Jesus being under God’s Authority when He speaks, He too has all of God’s Power and Authority behind Him. Therefore, this centurion has no problem believing that Jesus does not have to enter his house; that is a Gentiles house; and thus create a great stir amongst the Jews for doing so, all Jesus has to do is say the Word and his servant will be immediately healed.

Vs. 9-10 ⁹ When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” ¹⁰ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.


Therefore, when Jesus heard the centurions word sent to Him by his messengers, He marveled at him, because here was a man who was not of the covenant people of God, who had not been, or seen, or known of all of God’s Mighty works done for the people of God down through the ages, and more specifically he did not have the Lord Jesus Christ walking in the midst of his own doing all of the Mighty signs and deeds that Jesus was doing right then in and amongst the Jews, and yet here he is totally confident in Jesus’ ability, and more importantly Authority, over all of or anything in creation, to heal his servant with just a Word. Jesus then upon hearing what the centurion said, and marveling at it, now turns to the crowd and says, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Which itself is an incredible declaration coming from the Son of God, of not just that man’s faith, but sadly what was so desperately lacking in Israel, and often even now is often lacking amongst the New Covenant people of God. Therefore, this Roman centurion though not being of the covenant people of God will by his own words and faith become an object lesson to all the people of God, of trusting and believing that God Almighty and His Son have all Authority and Power to do whatever they will to do. 
Therefore, when the messengers returned to the centurion’s house, they found the servant who had been sick total healed! Now what is most interesting is that Jesus didn’t even speak a Word to heal him, or lay hands on him, or do anything that would’ve been a visible sign to those who were then with Him, that He had healed him, He simply honored the centurion’s faith and willed it to be done and it was. A simple transaction then between God and a person in need, and such is the same today as Jesus Christ doesn’t need anything from us, other than for us to believe in Him and then He too will heal and save us. No fanfare, no great displays of worship and praying and sensational outcry’s, just believe in Him and you too will become a part of the New Covenant people of God, bound to Him (and secured by His Spirit to God) under the New Covenant, not the Old.

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 6:46-49

⁴⁶ “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? ⁴⁷ Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. ⁴⁹ But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

Commentray
Here the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear the just professing Him as ones Lord is not being His disciple, because if all your doing is calling Him, ‘Lord, Lord’, and thus trying to look and sound “spiritual”, then your foundation is only on shaky and unstable ground. Because the Lord Jesus Christ wants us to do the things He says, for that is being His disciples. For Jesus’ Word goes out with Authority and Power and those who hear it and do it are the ones who not only have a profession of Him, but they also have the Person of Him, guarding them, and keeping them, and preserving them in the faith, because they having dug dip into His Word have built their lives upon it, upon obeying Him. All which is hard work, but reaps everlasting rewards for all who do so! Therefore, when the storms of life arise both their faith and their lives are able to withstand them, for they have built their “homes” i.e. their faith and lives upon the Rock.

In contrast then to the wise builders who dig deep and lay their foundation on the Rock, are those who merely lay their foundation on the earth, and thus they don’t bother to dig deep into His Word to lay their foundation, and thus put in the hard work of obedience that being a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ requires. And so, it is when the storm comes, and floods beat vehemently against that house, i.e. that person and their faith, immediately they fall, and Jesus says the ruin of that house was great.

Therefore, please do not assume that “praise and worship” is the essence of being a disciple. Now praise and worship is great, and greatly edifying, and is something I love doing, but it is only the “desert portion” of being a disciple, and so as little children in the faith we need to learn to have a healthy a well-balanced diet in the faith, that includes not just praise and worship, or Bible studies, or trying to exercise Spiritual gifts, but doing all those things that Jesus commands of us. So that we might be emotionally well balanced and spiritually healthy. For again the essence of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is keeping His Word, everything else then should manifest itself out from there.

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version. (1982): Thomas Nelson