Bible Commentaries

Here our Lord passed over the national boundary to bring blessing to the household of a Roman centurion. Of that man the elders said, "He is worthy." The man said, "I am not worthy." Jesus Said, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." It certainly is a wonderful story, showing that the principle of faith is supreme over all privileges of race and birth.

Two crowds are seen meeting outside the city of Nain, one, the Master, His disciples, and a great multitude, approaching the gates; the other, a dead son, his mother, and many people of the city, issuing forth from the gates. As they met, life triumphed over death, sorrow was turned into joy.

Luke now tells of how John sent an inquiry to Jesus which unquestionably was born of his perplexity over the methods of our Lord. Jesus' reply was first that of continuing the work that He was doing, then of speaking of the greatness of John, and finally of seeking from him faith, even though intellectually he might be perplexed.

The scene in the house of Simon the Pharisee is very full of beauty as it reveals our Lord dealing with two entirely different personalities- Simon, cold, dispassionate, satisfied with his own integrity; the woman, conscious of her sinful past, rejoicing in her forgiveness and pouring on Jesus the evidences of her love. Our Lord Himself contrasts the two in the most striking way, revealing the value of moral cleansing as leading to the victory of love.