- 1Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.
- 2And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
- 3And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
- 4And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
- 5For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
- 6Then 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:
- 7Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
- 8For 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.
- 9When 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.
- 10And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
- 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.
- 12Now 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.
- 13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
- 14And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
- 15And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
- 16And 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.
- 17And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about.
- 18And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
- 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?
- 20When 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?
- 21And 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.
- 22Then 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.
- 23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
- 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?
- 25But 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.
- 26But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
- 27This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
- 28For 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.
- 29And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
- 30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
- 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
- 32They 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.
- 33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
- 34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
- 35But wisdom is justified of all her children.
- 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.
- 37And, 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,
- 38And 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.
- 39Now 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.
- 40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
- 41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
- 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
- 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
- 44And 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.
- 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
- 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
- 47Wherefore 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.
- 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
- 49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
- 50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
KING JAMES VERSION
LUKE 7
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Luke 7 — Compassion at Nain gathers the chapter’s central movement as Jesus’s identity, authority, mercy, and saving mission are revealed.
About this illustration
The illustration centers at Nain’s gate Jesus touches a funeral bier as a widow’s only son sits up and the procession responds in hope. Other events and teachings remain in the chapter text rather than being crowded into one scene.
Scripture basis: Luke 7:1–50King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Late first century BC
4QMessianic Apocalypse (4Q521)
4Q521 is a fragmentary late Second Temple Hebrew composition that combines Isaianic signs of restoration, including good news, healing, release, and resurrection, within an anticipated age of divine deliverance.
Isaiah 35:5–6 · Isaiah 61:1–2 · Luke 7:20–23
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
6th Century
Papyrus P2: John 12:12–15 in a Greek–Coptic Witness
Papyrus P2 is a tiny sixth-century leaf in Florence carrying John 12:12-15 in Greek and portions of Luke 7 in Sahidic Coptic, a rare material trace of bilingual Egyptian Gospel reading.
John 12:12–15 · Luke 7:22–26 · Luke 7:50
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
6th–7th Century
Papyrus P3: Luke 7:36–45 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P3 is a sixth- or seventh-century Greek fragment in Vienna that joins Luke's account of the woman who anointed Jesus with the Martha-and-Mary episode, preserving rare chapter headings and evidence for organized Gospel reading.
Luke 7:36–45 · Luke 10:38–42
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
4th–5th Century
Papyrus P82: Luke 7:32–34 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P82, dated by the CSNTM catalog to the 4th–5th century, physically preserves Luke 7:32–34 as part of the early manuscript transmission of the New Testament.
Luke 7:32–34
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCESettlement
Middle Bronze Age through Ottoman period; Roman settlement and Byzantine commemoration are most relevant
Nain at Nein: Village Archaeology and the Widow's Son Church
Small excavations at modern Nein document ancient settlement, Roman-period activity, and a Byzantine Christian complex near the church commemorating Jesus' raising of a widow's son.
Luke 7:11–17 · 2 Kings 4:18–37
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Tenth century AD
Codex Monacensis (GA 033)
Codex Monacensis (GA 033) is a distinct physical witness to the material transmission and reception of Scripture, identified by its own shelfmark, date, contents, and custodial history.
Luke 7:18–35 · John 7:1–13
Prophecy Events
Sermons
Battle Ready: Getting the Demons Out of Your Marriage by Pastor Dean Odle
In “Battle Ready - Getting the Demons Out of Your Marriage by Pastor Dean Odle,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about demons and deliverance, marriage and covenant, the authority of Scripture. Drawing especially from James 4:7, James 1:21-22, Luke 13, Luke 8, the teaching emphasizes that demonic influence must be answered through Christ’s authority and the freedom He provides. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that marriage is treated as a covenant requiring faithfulness, sacrifice, truth, and biblical order.
Spiritual WarfareMarriage and Family
View sermon Don't Run Out of Oil
In “Don't Run Out of Oil,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about the anointing, holiness, the Holy Spirit. Drawing especially from Matthew 25, 2 Corinthians 11, Psalm 119, John 16, the teaching emphasizes that spiritual anointing is given for service and must remain joined to character and obedience. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that God calls believers to reject compromise and pursue practical holiness.
Doctrine and DiscernmentChristian LivingHoly Spirit and Spiritual Gifts
View sermon Spiritual Warfare #6 - Demons & Deliverance
In Spiritual Warfare class six, Dean Odle argues that casting out demons was a normal and prominent part of Jesus’ ministry and was meant to continue through believers. He distinguishes different degrees of demonic influence, traces the origin of demons through his reading of Genesis 6, Jude, 2 Peter, and 1 Enoch, and uses Gospel deliverance accounts to explain how spirits gain and exercise control.
Spiritual WarfareDoctrine and DiscernmentHoly Spirit and Spiritual GiftsChristian Living
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons