The Meaning of Luke 7:21 Explained

Luke 7:21

KJV: And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

YLT: And in that hour he cured many from sicknesses, and plagues, and evil spirits, and to many blind he granted sight.

Darby: In that hour he healed many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and to many blind he granted sight.

ASV: In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  in  that same  hour  he cured  many  of  [their] infirmities  and  plagues,  and  of evil  spirits;  and  unto many  [that were] blind  he gave  sight. 

What does Luke 7:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 7:11-23 - "god Hath Visited His People"
Nain lay near the plain of Esdraelon, on the slopes of Little Hermon. Two confluent streams met there-those with Christ and those with death, Luke 7:11-12. He wipes away tears by removing the cause. When the young are being borne by their young companions to graves of sin, it is thus that the Master arrests them. See Ephesians 5:14. There was a threefold gradation in the power He put forth-to Jairus' daughter, just dead; to this young man, on the way to burial; and to Lazarus, who was three days dead. The depression from John's long confinement in the gloomy fortress of Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea, and the fact that Jesus had not sent to deliver him, were the double root of this sad lapse from the position taken up on the Jordan bank, when he recognized and indicated the Lamb of God. But our Lord did not chide; He understood, Psalms 103:9. His miracles of mercy and power are His best evidences, and He left John to draw his own conclusions, Isaiah 35:5-6. May ours be the blessedness of the un-offended, who will trust Christ, even though He does not hasten to deliver them just as they had hoped! [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 7

1  Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;
10  heals his servant, being absent;
11  raises from death the widow's son at Nain;
18  answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;
24  testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;
31  compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,
36  and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner,
44  he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance

Greek Commentary for Luke 7:21

In that hour he cured [εν εκεινηι τηι οραι ετεραπευσεν]
This item is not in Matthew. Jesus gave the two disciples of John an example of the direct method. They had heard. Then they saw for themselves. [source]
Diseases [νοσων]
(νοσων — nosōn), plagues (μαστιγων — mastigōn), evil spirits (πνευματων πονηρων — pneumatōn ponērōn), all kinds of bodily ills, and he singles out the blind (τυπλοις — tuphlois) to whom in particular he bestowed sight (εχαριζατο βλεπειν — echarizato blepein), gave as a free gift (from χαρις — charis grace) seeing (βλεπειν — blepein). [source]
plagues [μαστιγων]
(μαστιγων — mastigōn), evil spirits (πνευματων πονηρων — pneumatōn ponērōn), all kinds of bodily ills, and he singles out the blind (τυπλοις — tuphlois) to whom in particular he bestowed sight (εχαριζατο βλεπειν — echarizato blepein), gave as a free gift (from χαρις — charis grace) seeing (βλεπειν — blepein). [source]
evil spirits [πνευματων πονηρων]
(πνευματων πονηρων — pneumatōn ponērōn), all kinds of bodily ills, and he singles out the blind (τυπλοις — tuphlois) to whom in particular he bestowed sight (εχαριζατο βλεπειν — echarizato blepein), gave as a free gift (from χαρις — charis grace) seeing (βλεπειν — blepein). [source]
blind [τυπλοις]
(τυπλοις — tuphlois) to whom in particular he bestowed sight (εχαριζατο βλεπειν — echarizato blepein), gave as a free gift (from χαρις — charis grace) seeing (βλεπειν — blepein). [source]
Diseases - plagues [νόσων - μαστίγων]
See on Matthew 4:23; and Mark 3:10. Marking the two classes of disease recognized in medical writings, chronic and acute. [source]
Evil spirits [πνευμάτων πονηρῶν]
On πονηρός , evil, see Luke 3:19. It is applied to evil spirits by Luke only, with the single exception of Matthew 12:45. In accordance with its signification of evil on its active side, it is applied in medicine to that which spreads destruction or corruption; as the poison of serpents. Note, moreover, that Luke distinguishes here between disease and demoniac possession, as often. See Luke 6:17, Luke 6:18; Luke 8:2; Luke 13:32. [source]
He gave [ἐχαρίσατο]
More is expressed by this verb than simple giving. He gave as a free, gracious, joy-giving gift. See on χάρις , favor, Luke 1:30; and compare freely give, Romans 8:32. Also, 1 Corinthians 2:12. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 7:21

Mark 3:10 That they might touch him [ινα αυτου απσωνται]
If only that much. They hoped for a cure by contact with Christ. Aorist subjunctive. It was a really pathetic scene and a tremendous strain on Jesus.As many as had plagues (οσοι ειχον μαστιγας — hosoi eichon mastigas). Strokes or scourges, terms used by us today as a paralytic stroke, the influenza scourge. Our word plague is from πληγη — plēgē (Latin plaga), from πληγνυμι — plēgnumi to strike a blow. Common in ancient Greek in this sense. See note on Mark 5:29, Mark 5:34; Luke 7:21 for the same use of μαστιγες — mastiges and also 2 Maccabees 9:11. [source]
Mark 3:10 As many as had plagues [οσοι ειχον μαστιγας]
Strokes or scourges, terms used by us today as a paralytic stroke, the influenza scourge. Our word plague is from πληγη — plēgē (Latin plaga), from πληγνυμι — plēgnumi to strike a blow. Common in ancient Greek in this sense. See note on Mark 5:29, Mark 5:34; Luke 7:21 for the same use of μαστιγες — mastiges and also 2 Maccabees 9:11. [source]
Luke 7:22 What things ye have seen and heard [α ειδετε και ηκουσατε]
In Matthew 11:4, present tense “which ye do hear and see.” Rest of Luke 7:22, Luke 7:23 as in Matthew 11:4-6, which see notes for details. Luke mentions no raisings from the dead in Luke 7:21, but the language is mainly general, while here it is specific. Σκανδαλιζομαι — Skandalizomai used here has the double notion of to trip up and to entrap and in the N.T. always means causing to sin. [source]
John 7:7 Evil [πονηρά]
See on Luke 3:19; see on Luke 7:21. [source]
John 19:1 Scourged [ἐμαστίγωσεν]
Matthew and Mark use the Greek form of the Latin word flagellare, φραγελλόω , which occurs only in those two instances in the New Testament. John uses the more common Greek word, though he has φραγελλίον (flagellum ), scourge, at John 2:15. Matthew and Mark, however, both use μαστιγόω elsewhere (Matthew 10:17; Matthew 20:29; Mark 10:34). Its kindred noun, μάστιξ , occurs several times in the metaphorical sense of a plague. See on Mark 3:10, and compare Mark 5:29, Mark 5:34; Luke 7:21. The verb is used metaphorically only once, Hebrews 12:6. Scourging was the legal preliminary to crucifixion, but, in this case, was inflicted illegally before the sentence of crucifixion was pronounced, with a view of averting the extreme punishment, and of satisfying the Jews. (Luke 23:22). The punishment was horrible, the victim being bound to a low pillar or stake, and beaten, either with rods, or, in the case of slaves and provincials, with scourges, called scorpions, leather thongs tipped with leaden balls or sharp spikes. The severity of the infliction in Jesus' case is evident from His inability to bear His cross. [source]
1 Corinthians 12:9 Gifts of healings [χαρισματα ιαματων]
Ιαμα — Iama old word from ιαομαι — iaomai common in lxx, in N.T. only in this chapter. It means acts of healing as in Acts 4:30 (cf. James 5:14) and Luke 7:21 (of Jesus). Note εν — en here as just before. [source]
Galatians 3:18 Gave [κεχάρισται]
Freely bestowed as a gracious gift. See on Luke 7:21. [source]
Ephesians 6:12 Spiritual wickedness [τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας]
Lit., the spiritual things of wickedness. Rev., spiritual hosts of wickedness. The phrase is collective, of the evil powers viewed as a body. Wickedness is active evil, mischief. Hence Satan is called ὁ πονηρός thewicked one. See on Luke 3:19; see on Luke 7:21; see on 1 John 2:13. [source]
1 John 2:13 The evil one [τὸν πονηρόν]
See on wickedness, Mark 7:22; see on evils, Luke 3:19; see on evil spirits, Luke 7:21. The prince of darkness is styled by John ὁ διάβολος thefalse accuser (John 8:44; John 13:2; 1 John 3:8, 1 John 3:10. See on Matthew 4:1): ὁ Σατανᾶς Satanthe adversary (John 13:27; compare ὁ κατήγωρ theaccuser, properly, in court, Revelation 12:10): ὁ πονηρός theevil one (John 17:15; 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18, 1 John 5:19): ὁ ἄρχων τοῦ κόσμου τούτου theruler of this world (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11). Note the abrupt introduction of the word here, as indicating something familiar. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 7:21 mean?

At that very - hour He healed many of diseases and afflictions spirits evil to blind many He granted to see
Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ ἐθεράπευσεν πολλοὺς ἀπὸ νόσων καὶ μαστίγων πνευμάτων πονηρῶν τυφλοῖς πολλοῖς ἐχαρίσατο βλέπειν

Ἐν  At 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐν 
Sense: in, by, with etc.
ἐκείνῃ  that  very 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐκεῖνος  
Sense: he, she it, etc.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὥρᾳ  hour 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὥρα  
Sense: a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year.
ἐθεράπευσεν  He  healed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: θεραπεύω  
Sense: to serve, do service.
πολλοὺς  many 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
νόσων  diseases 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: νόσος  
Sense: disease, sickness.
μαστίγων  afflictions 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: μάστιξ  
Sense: a whip, scourge.
πνευμάτων  spirits 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: πνεῦμα  
Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast.
πονηρῶν  evil 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: πονηρός  
Sense: full of labours, annoyances, hardships.
τυφλοῖς  to  blind 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: τυφλός  
Sense: blind.
πολλοῖς  many 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
ἐχαρίσατο  He  granted 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: χαρίζομαι  
Sense: to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify.
βλέπειν  to  see 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: βλέπω  
Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye.