Jesus’ Answer to John: This section consists of three parts that are loosely related to Jesus’ answer to the messengers of the imprisoned John the Baptist. Another factor uniting these stories together are the parallels with the Elijah/Elisha stories in 1 and 2 Kings. The first of Luke’s episodes is about the healing of the officer’s servant (7:1–10); the second is about the raising of the widow’s son (7:11–17); and the third is John’s question and Jesus’ answer (7:18–35).

7:11–17 This story, found only in Luke’s Gospel, reveals several points of contact with the Elijah/Elisha stories as well (Tiede, pp. 151–52). The most noteworthy parallels include: (1) the setting in Nain (Luke 7:11), which may be an allusion to the ancient city of Shunem (2 Kings 4:8; see note below); (2) arrival at the…