Luke 7

Faith in Christ's word

Then 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: Luke 7:6–10

A Gentile officer calls Jesus Lord and believes His word alone has power to heal from a distance. Jesus praises his faith, and the servant is healed.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 8:5-13 — The centurion's servant healed.

The Lord who raises the dead

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. Luke 7:13–15

Luke calls Jesus 'the Lord' as He has compassion on a grieving widow and commands her dead son to arise. His power over death previews His own Resurrection and ours; the wording echoes Elijah restoring a widow's son.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 1 Kings 17:23 — Elijah delivered him unto his mother.
• the same title in John 11:25 — I am the resurrection, and the life.

The Prophet like Moses; God visiting His people

And 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. Luke 7:16

The people recognize a great prophet and say God has visited His people. Both are truer than they know: Jesus is the Prophet Moses foretold, and He is God come among His people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Deuteronomy 18:15 — The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet... like unto me.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 20:23 — Behold, I am he of whom Moses spake.
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 22:21 — This prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel.
• alludes to Luke 1:68 — He hath visited and redeemed his people.

He that should come

He that should come — the Coming One, a title for the promised Messiah

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? Luke 7:19–22

John's disciples ask if Jesus is the promised Coming One. Instead of just saying yes, Jesus points to His works, which match exactly what Isaiah said the Messiah would do.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 11:2-6 — John's question and Jesus' answer.
• fulfils Isaiah 35:5-6 — The eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame leap.
• fulfils Isaiah 61:1 — Anointed to preach good tidings unto the meek.

Stone of stumbling

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Luke 7:23

'Offended' means to stumble. Jesus blesses those who do not stumble over Him, echoing the prophecy that the Messiah would be a stone many would trip over.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 8:14 — A stone of stumbling and a rock of offence.
• alludes to Luke 2:34 — Set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.

The Lord whose way the messenger prepares

This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Luke 7:27

In Malachi, the LORD says He will send a messenger to prepare the way 'before me.' Jesus applies it to John preparing 'thy way' — showing that the LORD of Malachi, Jehovah, is Jesus Himself.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Malachi 3:1 — Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.
• a parallel account in Matthew 11:10 — Same application to John.
• the same title in Mark 1:2 — Mark also applies Malachi 3:1 to John before the Lord.

He that is least

For 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. Luke 7:28

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that 'he that is least in the kingdom' was Jesus speaking of Himself — younger than John and counted least by the people, yet greater than he. It is a hidden self-reference.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 11:11 — Same saying.

Son of Man, friend of sinners

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? Luke 7:31–34

The people rejected John for being too strict and Jesus for being too friendly with sinners. The insult 'friend of publicans and sinners' is actually a true description of the Savior.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 11:16-19 — Same saying about this generation.

The Anointed

And, 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, Luke 7:37–38

A repentant woman worships Jesus by washing and anointing His feet. Messiah and Christ mean 'Anointed One,' and she honors Him in humble love that the proud host did not.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

The forgiving Creditor

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. Luke 7:41–43

In Jesus' parable, sins are debts none of us can pay, and the creditor freely forgives. In context, Jesus is the one forgiving this woman, so He stands in the place of the merciful creditor.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

Savior who forgives sins

Wherefore 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. Luke 7:47–50

Jesus forgives the woman's sins with His own authority, and the guests ask, 'Who is this?' — only God can forgive sins. Her faith in Him saves her and gives her peace.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Luke 5:20-24 — The earlier question of who can forgive sins and the Son of Man's power to forgive.