72 Steps from Glory to Glory
Home Bible Study
Step 27: Capernaum to Nain
Luke7:11-17, 36-50
The city of Nain is mentioned only once in the Bible, but it was the site of one of Jesus’ greatest miracles. Nain was about 25 miles from Capernaum. The average Israelite would walk 18-20 miles in a day. So this was probably Jesus’ destination, not somewhere He was just passing through. When you have a destination, it means you have a purpose for visiting that place. Jesus always had a destination. He always knew ahead of time where He was going, why He was going there, and what he would encounter when He got there. He was never surprised. On this day His destination was a funeral.
- Luke 7:11-17 In these verses, we see Jesus perform another miracle. This is one of the things Jesus had in mind when He left Capernaum headed for Nain.
- V.11 Many disciples and a large crowd follow Jesus. The disciples want to learn, and the crowd wants to be entertained! (Don’t make the mistake of thinking all followers of Christ are disciples.)
- V.12 Jesus’ path intersected with the path of the funeral at precisely the right time and place. Jesus is always exactly where He needs to be. He is never late; He is never early.
- Who was the woman? Who was the son? We don’t know; it was not important. If it was important, the Bible would have given us that information.
- This was a tragedy. She was carrying her only son to be buried. Her husband had already died, so the death of her son leaves her alone and in severe economic and social trouble.
- V.13 Jesus moved with compassion speaks words of hope: “ Do not weep”
- V.14 He touches not the young man but the coffin. The pallbearers stop.
- He speaks to the young man.
- “I say to you,” with these words Jesus signifies His authority
- “Arise.” This word is a command from the Almighty God that had to be obeyed.
- V.15. The young man sets up and speaks, then Jesus presents (returns) him to his mother.
Reminding us of 1 Kings17:23
When Elijah returns a boy he had raised from the dead to his mother.
- V. 16-17 the results of this miracle
- Fear of God, God is glorified, Jesus is recognized as a Great Prophet, and news about Jesus spreads throughout the land.
- Luke 7:36-50 A sinful woman exposes the self-righteous Pharisee.
- V.36 Why did Simon the Pharisee host this meal?
- V.37-38 Who was the sinful woman? We don’t know. Some say Mary Magdalene. Luke 8:1-3
- The alabaster flask and ointment were extremely expensive. Matt.26:6; Mark 14:3
- V. 39 See the contrast of the humility of a repentant sinner and an arrogant Pharisee.
- In this verse, Simon’s thoughts not only condemn the woman for her sins, but he also condemns Jesus because He was not repulsed by the woman.
- V.40-43 Jesus teaches an important parable about forgiveness.
- V.40 Jesus says, “I have something to say.” Simon’s silent condemnation vs Jesus’ public teaching.
- V.41-43 the parable of a forgiving debtor. The question of which one would be more grateful.
- Both men were debtors; neither man could pay what they owed.
- Unspoken point of this parable: your sin is a debt that you cannot pay.
- Unspoken promise: Jesus will forgive you of your sins, great and small, if you will receive it.
- V.44-47 The woman’s deep repentance and deep gratitude.
- Simon did not even extend common courtesies to Jesus.
- The woman could not stop expressing her gratitude to Jesus.
Conclusion
V.48-59
The woman was forgiven; her faith in Jesus had saved her.
What impact do you think Jesus had on those who sat at the table?
From the Bible
“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. 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. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
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.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 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, 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 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.”
And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”
Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.”
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. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 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.”
Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.””
Luke 7:11-17, 36-50 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.7.11-17.NKJV
Douglas Huff
Home Bible Study Notes
email-douglas@pavementendsministry.com
