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).

7:1–10 The episode of the healing of the centurion’s servant parallels Matt. 8:5–13 (though there are some differences) and may perhaps be related to the similar account in John 4:46–53. The emphasis of this account lies not on the miracle itself, which is performed at a distance, nor on the centurion’s humility, but on h…