Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 7
Albert Barnes Commentary
Luke 7
Albert Barnes Commentary
Luke 7
"After he had ended all his sayings in the ears of the people, he entered into Capernaum." — Luke 7:1 (ASV)
Verse 1. In the audience of the people. In the hearing of the people.
"And a certain centurion`s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and at the point of death." — Luke 7:2 (ASV)
Who was dear to him. That is, he was valuable, trusty, and honored.
"And they, when they came to Jesus, besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him;" — Luke 7:4 (ASV)
They besought him instantly. Urgently or earnestly.
He was worthy. The centurion. He had shown favour to the Jews, and it was not improper to show him a kindness.
"And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude." — Luke 7:11 (ASV)
A city called Nain. This city was in Galilee, in the boundaries of the tribe of Issachar. It was about two miles south of Mount Tabor, and not far from Capernaum. It is now a small village inhabited by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. ii. p. 158) locates it on the north-west corner of a mount now called Jebel ed Duhy, one hour's ride from the foot of Mount Tabor. Of this place he says:
"This mount is now called Jebel ed Duhy, and that small hamlet on the north-west corner of it is Nain, famous for the restoration of the widow's son to life. It was once a place of considerable extent, but is now little more than a cluster of ruins, among which dwell a few families of fanatical Muslims. It is in keeping with the one historic incident that renders it dear to the Christian, that its only antiquities are tombs. These are situated mainly on the east of the village, and it was in that direction, I presume, that the widow's son was being carried on that memorable occasion. It took me just an hour to ride from the foot of Tabor to Nain."
"Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her." — Luke 7:12 (ASV)
The gate of the city. Cities were surrounded by walls to defend them from their enemies. They were entered through gates placed at convenient distances from each other. In most cities, it was not allowed to bury the dead within the walls; therefore, they were carried to some convenient burial place in the vicinity of the city.
A dead man carried out. A funeral procession. Anciently, no Jews were buried within the walls of the city, except for the kings and distinguished persons, 1 Samuel 28:3; 2 Kings 21:18.
The custom of burying within cities, and especially within the walls of churches or in their vicinity, originated among Christians very early; yet perhaps few customs are more harmful to health than burials within large cities, especially within the walls of frequented buildings.
The harmful vapors from dead bodies are excessively unhealthy.
Burial places should be in secluded locations, far from the activity of the lively and busy world, where all feelings may be still and calm, and where there can be no injury to health from the decaying bodies of the dead.
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