Luke 7:16
And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐδόξαζον
they glorified
G1392
ἐδόξαζον
they glorified
Strong's:
G1392
Word #:
6 of 23
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Προφήτης
prophet
G4396
Προφήτης
prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
11 of 23
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
μέγας
a great
G3173
μέγας
a great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
12 of 23
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
ἐγήγερται
is risen up
G1453
ἐγήγερται
is risen up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
13 of 23
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
17 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ἐπεσκέψατο
hath visited
G1980
Ἐπεσκέψατο
hath visited
Strong's:
G1980
Word #:
18 of 23
to inspect, i.e., (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
20 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 9:8But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.Luke 7:39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.Jeremiah 33:9And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.Luke 1:68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,Psalms 65:9Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.Exodus 4:31And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.Matthew 21:11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.Matthew 15:31Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.Luke 2:20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.Luke 1:65And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
Historical Context
The phrase 'God hath visited his people' echoes Exodus 4:31 (God visiting Israel in Egyptian bondage) and reflects Jewish hope that God would again intervene in their oppression (now Roman). Prophetic expectation included divine visitation in the messianic age. The people correctly recognized God's presence in Jesus, though they didn't yet understand the full incarnation—God didn't merely visit through Jesus but came as Jesus. Their response—fear, praise, recognition of divine action—was appropriate. This miracle confirmed Jesus as more than a teacher; He wielded divine power over death itself.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the crowd's response of fear and glorifying God teach about proper reaction to divine power?
- How does the recognition that 'God hath visited his people' point toward understanding the incarnation—God present in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
After the resurrection miracle, people responded: 'There came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.' The 'fear' (Greek 'phobos,' φόβος) is holy awe, not terror—appropriate response to divine power. They glorified God, recognizing Jesus' power as divine. Calling Him 'a great prophet' shows partial understanding—He was more than a prophet, but they recognized God working through Him. The phrase 'God hath visited his people' (Greek 'epeskepsato ho theos ton laon autou,' ἐπεσκέψατο ὁ θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ) means God intervened redemptively in human history.