Lit., ears.

For vv. 1-10, see notes in Matt. 8:5-13.

Lit., save his slave thoroughly.

Or, on the next day.

This case is unique in the misery it portrays — a widow's only son was being carried in a coffin. The Savior's compassion also was unique in His loving sympathy — in His tender mercy He offered His power of resurrection to raise the widow's son from death, without being asked to do so. This indicates His unique commission, which was to come to save lost sinners (Luke 19:10), and shows the high standard of His morality, as a Man-Savior, in saving sinners.

A common name of the country of the Jews, including Galilee, where the city of Nain was (see note Luke 4:44²).

For vv. 18-35, see notes in Matt. 11:2-19.

Some MSS read, Jesus.

See note Luke 4:43^1a.

When it looks as if the Lord will not act on our behalf, we are blessed if we are not stumbled.

Not practitioners of law but scholars in the Mosaic law.

Or, set aside, nullified.

Or, provided.

The hair is the glory of the woman (1 Cor. 11:15) and is at the top of her body. With her top part she wiped the Savior's feet, the lowest part of His body, loving Him with her glory.

In love.

Indicating the woman's appreciation of the Savior's great worth and sweetness. Even the Savior's feet were precious and sweet to her affection.

A large crowd in Nain, having witnessed the Savior's power of resurrection, recognized the Savior as a great prophet (v. 16). Yet the Pharisee wondered if He was a prophet. He not only doubted the Savior but also despised the woman as a sinner.

Showing the Savior's omniscience.

Simon considered only the woman, not himself, a sinner and doubted that the Savior knew that she was a sinner. But the Savior's parable indicated that both Simon and the woman were sinners — debtors to Him — and that both needed His forgiveness.

See note John 6:7¹.

Indicating that sinners have nothing with which to repay their debt to God their Savior.

Indicating that the Savior had already forgiven both of them.

Indicating that their love for the Savior was the issue, not the cause, of the Savior's forgiveness.

The Savior's word in vv. 44-46 indicates that Simon should have taken the woman as an example and learned of her.

Her loving much was a proof that her many sins had been forgiven; Simon's loving little testified that he had been forgiven only a little.

This case and the case in Nain of the widow's only son (vv. 11-17) are found only in this Gospel. These cases display the Savior's tender care for the dead and sinful and convey the principle of morality as the unique characteristic of this Gospel.

Those who were reclining at the table with Him did not realize that this Man-Savior was the very God, who had authority to forgive man's sins. See note Mark 2:7¹.

The forgiven woman had not only love toward the Savior but also faith in Him, which operated through love (Gal. 5:6) and issued in peace. The faith that saved her brought her to the Savior in love and resulted in her going forward in peace. Faith, love, and peace are three crucial virtues in experiencing and enjoying the Savior's salvation. Faith is brought forth by knowing the Savior in His saving power and virtue. Love comes out of this faith and brings in peace; then we follow the Savior. In following the Savior in our living, faith and love bring us peace that we may enjoy the Lord's life and grow in it.

Lit., into.