Luke 7:40 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."

NIV: Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.

NASB: And Jesus responded and said to him, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' And he replied, 'Say it, Teacher.'

CSB: Jesus replied to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." He said, "Say it, teacher."

NLT: Then Jesus answered his thoughts. 'Simon,' he said to the Pharisee, 'I have something to say to you.' 'Go ahead, Teacher,' Simon replied.

KJV: And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

NKJV: And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

While Jesus is dining at the home of Simon the Pharisee, a repentant woman arrives. She washes Jesus' feet with her tears and anoints them with perfume. Simon decides Jesus must not be a prophet if He doesn't know the character of the woman (Luke 7:36–39) or won't send her away.

Jesus proves him wrong on several levels. First, He knows what Simon is thinking (Mark 2:8). Second, He knows exactly what the woman has done (Luke 7:47; John 4:28–29). Third, He not only accepts the woman's ministrations, but her actions are more righteous than those of Simon. Still, the conversation remains cordial, as befits a banquet. Jesus calls His host by his first name, and Simon respectfully calls Jesus "Teacher," an honorable title when not used ironically (Luke 11:45; 20:28).

Simōn is a common name in Jesus' era. Two of Jesus' disciples are named Simon, including the one renamed Peter (Luke 6:13–15), and Jesus has a brother named Simon (Matthew 13:55). During the week before Passover, Jesus will dine at the home of Simon the leper in Bethany. While there, a woman will anoint Jesus' head with expensive ointment (Matthew 26:6–13). Despite the similarities, these are two different events.

Luke 7:39–50 places Simon the Pharisee at center stage. Unlike the centurion (Luke 7:1–10), Simon misreads his standing in comparison to the greatness of Jesus. He's somewhere between the humble who accept Jesus and the arrogant who flatly reject Him (Luke 7:29–34). Simon has invited Jesus to dinner, given Him the minimum hospitality, and silently judged Him. This contrasts with the repentant woman who interrupts dinner to bless Jesus (Luke 7:36–38). Jesus goes where Simon doesn't expect: Simon understands neither forgiveness nor love.

Luke 7 presents a chiasm: a set of themes mirrored around a reflection point. The humble centurion (Luke 7:1–10) contrasts the legalistic Pharisee (Luke 7:39–50). The widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–17) and the sinful women (Luke 7:36–38) have nothing to offer but gratitude for Jesus' blessings. In the center are John the Baptist and his disciples who struggle to trust that Jesus is worth following (Luke 7:18–23), then the sinners who do choose to follow Jesus and the religious leaders who refuse (Luke 7:24–35).

Luke 7 continues Jesus' mission primarily to the people of Galilee expressed as a series of pointed events and teachings punctuated by calls to follow Him. He has finished teaching the rigors of discipleship (Luke 6:17–45) and invited the crowd to place their faith in Him (Luke 6:46–49). Here, Luke describes different reactions to Jesus' miracles and message. Next, Jesus will reveal the mechanics of and reactions to His call (Luke 8:4–21) before showing His great authority over nature, demons, sickness, and worldly powers (Luke 8:22—9:17). After a final call to the disciples to deepen their faith (Luke 9:18–50), Jesus will turn toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.