Luke 7 Luke 7:1–10 Christ admires the centurion’s singular faith, and healeth his absent servant. Luke 7:11–17 He raiseth to life the widow’s son at Nain, Luke 7:18–23 and sendeth back the messengers of John with an account of the miracles they had seen wrought by him.

See Poole on “Matt. 8:5”, and following verses to Matt. 8:13, where we have considered all the differences between Matthew’s and Luke’s relation of this miracle. We have in it remarkable, 1. The humanity of the centurion to his servant, to teach us Christians to do the like. 2.

Luke alone gives us an account of this miracle of our Saviour’s. Matthew mentions only the raising from the dead of Jairus’s daughter. Luke adds this. John adds that of Lazarus, John 11:57, by which our Lord did mightily show his Divine power, and gave us some firstfruits of the more general…

The people here saw the Divine power manifestly exerted; for the keys of the clouds, the womb, and the grave, are three keys, which their teachers had taught them were kept in God’s hand alone. All sense of the Divine presence naturally fills us with fear.

See Poole on “Matt. 11:2”, and following verses to Matt. 11:6.

See Poole on “Matt. 11:7”, and following verses to Matt. 11:15, where we met with this testimony concerning John, given by our Saviour, with some considerable enlargements.

Matthew hath not this addition to our Saviour’s commendation of John, but it is of great use to introduce our Saviour’s following discourse. The evangelist here divideth the hearers into two sorts.

See Poole on “Matt. 11:16” and following verses to Matt. 11:19, where we have this smart reflection upon the scribes and Pharisees, and the generality of the Jews. They were neither pleased full nor fasting, but censorious of the different manner of living of John and Christ.

This was no small civility from a Pharisee, for the Pharisees were of all others, in the generality of them, the most desperate and implacable enemies of our Saviour. But God hath his number amongst all nations, and all sorts and orders of men.

What hath made any interpreters imagine this was the some story which is mentioned Matt. 26:6–13, Mark 14:3–9, John 12:1–3, I cannot tell. The histories agree scarcely in any thing, unless in the bringing the alabaster box of ointment, and the anointing our Saviour’s feet, whereas there was nothing…

How easily are persons (though seemingly well inclined and fair) offended, who have not the love of God rooted and grounded in their hearts! Did then all men who were prophets know persons at first sight? 1.

Our Saviour treats his host civilly, but yet letteth him know, that he both knew his heart, and the heart of this poor woman, whom he had so uncharitably reflected upon. Simon spake within himself, Luke 7:39. Christ lets him know that he knew the thoughts of his heart.

These were either the Pharisees, who thought that Christ blasphemed in arrogating to himself such a power as belonged to God alone; or the others, who speak this rather in admiration; but it is probable the former are here meant.

Thy believing in me as he who have power on earth to forgive sins, and accordingly making application to me, and this thy faith working by love, Gal. 5:6, producing in thee this hearty sorrow for thy sins, a subjection unto me, and such testifications of thy love as thou art able to make, hath been…