Luke 7:1-17

7:1-10 | As a Gentile, Luke had a special interest in noting how the gospel message expanded from an exclusively Jewish audience to one that included Gentiles. The Roman centurion, who would naturally be hated as an officer of the occupying force, displayed more faith in Christ than many Jews.

7:11-15 | Several times in the Gospels, Jesus raised dead people to life (8:52; Matt. 9:24; 11:5; Mark 5:35-41; John 11:43). Here the story is especially touching, as it concerns the only son of a widow. In that culture, a woman without a husband or son was very likely to end up in utter poverty with no means to support herself. Jesus not only raised the young man to life, but He risked ritual defilement by touching the coffin on which the linen – swathed body had been placed.

7:16-17 | Fear and amazement often followed Jesus and His ministry. Jesus performed miracles similar to those performed by the celebrated ancient prophets, Elijah and Elisha (1 Kgs. 17:23; 2 Kgs. 4:36), causing people to proclaim that a prophet like those of old had arisen.