Luke 7:1

KJV

¶ Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} when {G1893} he had ended {G4137} all {G3956} his {G846} sayings {G4487} in {G1519} the audience {G189} of the people {G2992}, he entered {G1525} into {G1519} Capernaum {G2584}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Yeshua had finished speaking to the people, he went back to K'far-Nachum.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus had concluded His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.

American Standard Version

After he had ended all his sayings in the ears of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:1 serves as a crucial transitional verse in the Gospel narrative, marking the conclusion of Jesus' extensive public discourse, often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain, and signaling His deliberate movement to Capernaum. This shift from concentrated teaching to active engagement in a new geographical center highlights the dynamic nature of His ministry, preparing the reader for the miracles and encounters that immediately follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the profound and comprehensive teachings delivered by Jesus in what is known as [the Sermon on the Plain](/luke/6-20-49 "Luke 6:20-49 - The Sermon on the Plain"). Luke 6:20-49 presents a foundational discourse on discipleship, encompassing radical ethics such as loving enemies, practical wisdom, and the importance of hearing and obeying Jesus' words, culminating in the parable of the wise and foolish builders. The phrase "when he had ended all his sayings" explicitly indicates the completion of this significant teaching period, setting the stage for a new phase of Jesus' ministry characterized by action and demonstration of power, as seen in the subsequent narrative of the centurion's servant in [Luke 7:2-10](/luke/7-2-10 "Luke 7:2-10 - The Healing of the Centurion's Servant").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Capernaum (Greek: *Kapernaoúm*) was a bustling and strategically important city located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It served as a major fishing village, a customs post, and a crossroads for trade routes, making it a vibrant hub of activity. Historically, after leaving Nazareth, [Capernaum became Jesus' primary base](/matthew/4-13 "Matthew 4:13 - Jesus Makes Capernaum His Home") of operations during His Galilean ministry. Its diverse population and central location made it an ideal place for Jesus to reach a wide audience, teach in the synagogue, and perform numerous miracles. The city's prominence in Jesus' ministry is further underscored by the fact that many of His disciples, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, were from this region.
* **Key Themes:** This transitional verse contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **Authority and Completeness of Jesus' Teaching**. The "ending of all His sayings" implies a definitive and comprehensive body of instruction, establishing the foundational principles of His kingdom. Secondly, it highlights the **Strategic Nature of Jesus' Ministry**. His intentional movement to Capernaum, a significant population center, demonstrates His purposeful approach to evangelism and discipleship, always seeking to maximize the impact of His message and miraculous works. This strategic shift from teaching to active demonstration is a recurring pattern in Jesus' ministry, emphasizing that His words are to be followed by transformative actions, as exemplified by the immediate healing narrative in [Luke 7:2](/luke/7-2 "Luke 7:2 - The Centurion's Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **ended (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, meaning "to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc." In this context, "ended" signifies the completion and fulfillment of a specific period of teaching. It implies that Jesus had delivered a full and sufficient body of instruction, bringing that phase of His ministry to a purposeful close.
* **sayings (Greek, _rhēma'_):** From G4487, meaning "an utterance (individually, collectively or specially); by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever." This term refers not merely to individual words but to the entire discourse or message Jesus had just delivered. It emphasizes the comprehensive and weighty nature of His teachings, which were a coherent body of truth.
* **audience (Greek, _akoḗ'_):** From G189, meaning "hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard):--audience, ear, fame, which ye heard, hearing, preached, report, rumor." This word highlights that Jesus' teachings were delivered publicly, within the hearing of the people. It underscores the open and accessible nature of His ministry, emphasizing that His message was intended for all who would listen, not just a select few.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when he had ended all his sayings":** This clause signifies a definitive conclusion to a significant period of Jesus' public teaching. It indicates that the discourse (the Sermon on the Plain) was not merely interrupted but brought to a complete and intentional close, having conveyed its full message.
* **"in the audience of the people":** This phrase emphasizes the public nature of Jesus' ministry. His teachings were not delivered in private or to a select group of disciples but openly, within earshot of a large crowd. This highlights the accessibility of His message and the broad scope of His evangelistic efforts.
* **"he entered into Capernaum":** This final clause marks a geographical transition and a strategic shift in Jesus' ministry. His entry into Capernaum, a prominent Galilean city, signals a move from a period of concentrated teaching to a new phase of active ministry, including miracles, healings, and direct engagement with the community in a central location.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 7:1 employs several literary devices to effectively convey its message. The most prominent is **Transition**, clearly signaling a shift in the narrative from Jesus' extensive teaching ministry to a new phase of active engagement and miraculous works. This is achieved through the explicit statement "when he had ended all his sayings" and the subsequent action "he entered into Capernaum." There is also a strong element of **Geographical Significance**, as Capernaum is not just a random destination but a strategic hub for Jesus' Galilean ministry, setting the stage for many pivotal events. Furthermore, the verse functions as a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for the immediate events that follow, particularly the healing of the centurion's servant, which demonstrates the practical application and power inherent in Jesus' teachings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:1 encapsulates the dynamic nature of Jesus' ministry, illustrating the essential interplay between authoritative teaching and compassionate action. Having laid down the foundational principles of the Kingdom of God through His "sayings," Jesus immediately moves to demonstrate the power and reality of that Kingdom through tangible acts of healing and deliverance. This seamless transition underscores a core theological truth: divine revelation (the Word) is always accompanied by divine demonstration (the works). The public nature of His teachings and His strategic movement to Capernaum highlight God's desire to reach all people with His transforming truth and power, ensuring that both the message and its manifestation are widely accessible.

* [Matthew 4:23](/matthew/4-23 "Matthew 4:23 - Jesus Teaching and Healing")
* [Mark 1:39](/mark/1-39 "Mark 1:39 - Jesus Preaches and Casts Out Demons")
* [Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - God Anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:1 invites us to consider the profound impact of Jesus' words and the intentionality of His ministry. Just as the crowds heard "all his sayings," we are called to be diligent hearers and doers of the Word. The completion of Jesus' discourse implies that His teachings are comprehensive and sufficient for guiding our lives. Our spiritual growth is not merely about accumulating knowledge but about allowing the truth to transform our actions and direct our paths. Furthermore, Jesus' strategic move to Capernaum reminds us that faith is not static; it calls for active engagement in the world. We are encouraged to be intentional in our own spheres of influence, seeking opportunities to embody and share the Gospel, moving from contemplation to compassionate action, just as Jesus did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I move from merely hearing Jesus' "sayings" to actively applying them in my daily life?**
* **In what ways can I be more intentional and strategic in sharing the Gospel or demonstrating God's love in my community?**
* **What "new phases" of ministry or service might God be calling me to enter after a period of learning or preparation?**

### FAQ
**Why is Capernaum so significant in Jesus' ministry?**

Answer: Capernaum was highly significant because it became Jesus' primary base of operations during His Galilean ministry, as noted in [Matthew 4:13](/matthew/4-13 "Matthew 4:13 - Jesus Makes Capernaum His Home"). Its strategic location on the Sea of Galilee, as a bustling fishing village and customs post, made it an ideal hub for reaching diverse populations. Many of Jesus' most powerful miracles, such as the healing of the centurion's servant ([Luke 7:1-10](/luke/7-1-10 "Luke 7:1-10 - The Healing of the Centurion's Servant")), Peter's mother-in-law ([Mark 1:29-31](/mark/1-29-31 "Mark 1:29-31 - Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law")), and the paralytic lowered through the roof ([Mark 2:1-12](/mark/2-1-12 "Mark 2:1-12 - Jesus Heals a Paralytic")), occurred there. Despite witnessing such mighty works, the city largely remained unrepentant, leading to Jesus' strong rebuke in [Luke 10:15](/luke/10-15 "Luke 10:15 - Jesus' Woe to Capernaum").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:1, though seemingly a simple transitional verse, profoundly points to Christ's comprehensive redemptive work. Jesus' "ending all his sayings" signifies the completion of a foundational phase of His revelation, where He, as the incarnate Word of God, fully articulated the principles of the Kingdom. This anticipates His ultimate work on the cross, where He would declare "It is finished!" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Last Words on the Cross")), bringing to completion the entire plan of salvation. His deliberate entry into Capernaum, a place of human need and spiritual darkness, foreshadows His active pursuit of humanity, entering into our brokenness to offer healing and deliverance. Just as He transitioned from teaching to demonstrating power in Capernaum, so too did His earthly ministry of teaching and healing culminate in the ultimate act of self-giving on the cross, which secured our eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ Entered the Holy Place Once for All")). Every word spoken and every step taken by Jesus was purposefully directed towards fulfilling God's redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in His triumph over sin and death, offering new life to all who believe ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 8:5

¶ And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

Matthew 8:13

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Luke 7:1

¶ Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

Luke 7:10

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

Matthew 7:28

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Matthew 7:29

For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.