百夫長的信心

耶穌向眾人講完道後,進了迦百農。 當時,有一個百夫長很賞識的奴僕病了,生命垂危。 百夫長聽說耶穌的事,就託幾位猶太人的長老去請耶穌來醫治他的奴僕。 他們便來懇求耶穌,說:「這位百夫長值得你幫助, 因為他愛我們的同胞,為我們建造會堂。」 耶穌就跟他們去了。

快抵達時,那百夫長又請幾位朋友去見耶穌,對祂說:「主啊,不用勞駕,我不配讓你親自來我家。 我自認不配見你的面,只要你一句話,我的奴僕必定康復。 因為我有上司,也有部下。我命令我的部下去,他就去;要他來,他就來。我吩咐奴僕做什麼事,他一定照辦。」

耶穌聽了這番話,感到驚奇,轉身對跟從祂的百姓說:「我告訴你們,就是在以色列,我也從未見過有這麼大信心的人。」

10 派去的幾位朋友回到百夫長家裡,發現那奴僕已經痊癒了。

寡婦獨子的起死回生

11 過了不久[a],耶穌去拿因城,隨行的有門徒和一大群人。 12 耶穌快到城門口時,從城裡走出一隊送殯的人,死者是一個寡婦的獨子,有許多城中的人陪著她。 13 耶穌看見那寡婦,憐憫之心油然而生,就對她說:「不要哭!」 14 隨即上前按住抬屍架,抬的人停了下來。耶穌說:「年輕人,我吩咐你起來!」 15 那死者就坐了起來,並開口說話。耶穌把他交給他母親。

16 在場的人驚懼萬分,把榮耀歸給上帝,說:「我們中間出了一位大先知!」又說:「上帝眷顧了祂的百姓!」 17 有關祂的這消息傳遍了猶太和附近地區。

施洗者約翰的疑問

18 約翰從自己的門徒那裡獲悉這些事後, 19 就叫了兩個門徒來,派他們去問主:「將要來的那位就是你嗎?還是我們要等別人呢?」

20 他們找到耶穌,便問:「施洗者約翰派我們來請教你,『將要來的那位就是你嗎?還是我們要等別人呢?』」

21 那時,耶穌剛治好了許多患各種疾病和被鬼附身的人,又使許多瞎子得見光明。 22 耶穌便回答說:「你們回去把所見所聞告訴約翰,就是瞎子看見,瘸子走路,痲瘋病人得潔淨,聾子聽見,死人復活,窮人聽到福音。 23 凡對我沒有失去信心的人有福了!」

耶穌稱讚施洗者約翰

24 約翰的門徒離去後,耶穌對眾人談論約翰,說:「你們從前去曠野要看什麼呢?看隨風搖動的蘆葦嗎? 25 如果不是,你們到底想看什麼?是看穿綾羅綢緞的人嗎?那些衣著華麗、生活奢侈的人住在王宮裡。 26 你們究竟想看什麼?看先知嗎?是的,我告訴你們,他不只是先知。 27 聖經上說,『看啊,我要差遣我的使者在你前面為你預備道路。』這裡所指的就是約翰。 28 我告訴你們,凡婦人所生的,沒有一個比約翰大,但上帝國中最微不足道的也比他大。」

29 眾百姓和稅吏聽了這番話,都承認上帝是公義的,因為他們接受了約翰的洗禮。 30 但那些法利賽人和律法教師沒有接受約翰的洗禮,拒絕了上帝為他們所定的旨意。

31 主又說:「我用什麼來比擬這個世代的人呢?他們像什麼呢? 32 他們就如街頭上戲耍的孩童——彼此呼叫,

『我們吹娶親的樂曲,
你們不跳舞;
我們唱送葬的哀歌,
你們不哭泣。』

33 施洗者約翰來了,禁食禁酒,你們就說他被鬼附身了; 34 人子來了,又吃又喝,你們就說,『看啊,祂是個貪吃好酒之徒,與稅吏和罪人爲友!』 35 然而,智慧會在追求智慧的人身上得到驗證。」

罪婦的悔改

36 有一個法利賽人請耶穌到他家裡吃飯,耶穌應邀赴宴。 37 那城裡住著一個女人,生活敗壞。她聽說耶穌在那法利賽人家裡吃飯,就帶了一個盛滿香膏的玉瓶進去。 38 她站在耶穌背後,挨著祂的腳哭,淚水滴濕了祂的腳,就用自己的頭髮擦乾,又連連親祂的腳,並抹上香膏。

39 請耶穌的法利賽人看在眼裡,心想:「如果這人真的是先知,就該知道摸祂的是誰,是個什麼樣的女人,她是個罪人。」

40 耶穌對他說:「西門,我有話跟你說。」

西門答道:「老師,請說。」

41 耶穌說:「有一個債主借給一個人五百個銀幣,又借給另一個人五十個銀幣。 42 二人都沒有能力還債,這位債主就免了他們的債務。你想,哪一位會更愛債主呢?」

43 西門答道:「我相信是那個被免去較多債的人。」

44 耶穌說:「你判斷得對!」隨後轉向那女人,繼續對西門說:「你看見這女人了嗎?我到你家裡來,你沒有拿水給我洗腳,這女人卻用她的眼淚洗我的腳,還親自用頭髮擦乾。 45 你沒有親吻我,但我進來以後,這女人卻不停地吻我的腳。 46 你沒有用油為我抹頭,這女人卻用香膏抹我的腳。 47 所以我告訴你,她眾多的罪都被赦免了,因此她的愛深切;那些獲得赦免少的,他們的愛也少。」

48 耶穌對那女人說:「你的罪都被赦免了。」

49 同席的人彼此議論說:「這人是誰?竟然能赦免人的罪!」

50 耶穌又對那女人說:「你的信心救了你,平安地走吧!」

Footnotes

  1. 7·11 過了不久」有古卷作「次日」。

A Centurion’s Slave Healed

After he had finished all his statements in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. Now a certain centurion’s slave, who was esteemed by him, was sick[a] and[b] was about to die. So when he[c] heard about Jesus, he sent Jewish elders to him, asking him that he would come and[d] cure his slave. And when they[e] came to Jesus, they began imploring[f] him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy that you grant this for him, because he loves our nation and he himself built the synagogue for us.” So Jesus went with them. Now by this time he was not far away from the house, and[g] the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy that you should come in under my roof. For this reason neither did I consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my slave must be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, who has soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another one, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”[h]

And when[i] Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning around to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith!” 10 And when they[j] returned to the house, those who had been sent found the slave healthy.

A Widow’s Son Raised

11 And it happened that on the next day he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 And as he approached the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when[k] the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep!” 14 And he came up and[l] touched the bier, and those who were carrying it[m] stopped. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and he gave him to his mother. 16 And fear seized them all, and they began to glorify[n] God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and “God has visited to help his people!” 17 And this report about him went out in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

A Question from John the Baptist

18 And his disciples reported to John about all these things. And summoning a certain two of his disciples, John 19 sent them[o] to the Lord,[p] saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 20 And when[q] the men came to him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and suffering and evil spirits, and he granted sight to many blind people. 22 And he answered and[r] said to them, “Go and[s] tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear;[t] the dead are raised, the poor have good news announced to them.[u] 23 And whoever is not offended by me is blessed.”

24 And when[v] the messengers of John had departed, he began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are in splendid clothing and luxury are in the royal palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet! 27 It is this man about whom it is written:

‘Behold, I am sending my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’[w]

28 I tell you, there is no one greater among those born of women than John, but the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 (And all the people, when they[x] heard this[y]—even the tax collectors—affirmed the righteousness of God, because they[z] had been baptized with the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the legal experts rejected the purpose of God for themselves, because they[aa] had not been baptized by him.)

31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another, who say,

‘We played the flute for you and you did not dance;
we sang a lament and you did not weep.’

33 For John the Baptist has come not eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a man who is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 And wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet

36 Now one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he entered into the house of the Pharisee and[ab] reclined at the table. 37 And behold, a woman in the town who was a sinner, when she[ac] learned that he was dining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of perfumed oil, 38 and standing behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and was wiping them[ad] with the hair of her head and was kissing his feet and anointing them[ae] with the perfumed oil. 39 Now when[af] the Pharisee who invited him saw this,[ag] he spoke to himself, saying, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and[ah] said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he said, “Teacher, say it.”[ai] 41 “There were two debtors who owed a certain creditor. One owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty. 42 When[aj] they were not able to repay him,[ak] he forgave the debts[al] of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and[am] said, “I suppose that it is the one to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house. You did not give me water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them[an] with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but from the time I entered, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with olive oil, but she anointed my feet with perfumed oil. 47 For this reason[ao] I tell you, her sins—which were many—have been forgiven, for she loved much. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who were reclining at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:2 Literally “was having badly”
  2. Luke 7:2 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“was having”) has been translated as a finite verb
  3. Luke 7:3 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  4. Luke 7:3 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“come”) has been translated as a finite verb
  5. Luke 7:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
  6. Luke 7:4 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began imploring”)
  7. Luke 7:6 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“away”) has been translated as a finite verb
  8. Luke 7:8 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  9. Luke 7:9 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  10. Luke 7:10 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“returned”) which is understood as temporal
  11. Luke 7:13 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  12. Luke 7:14 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  13. Luke 7:14 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  14. Luke 7:16 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to glorify”)
  15. Luke 7:19 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  16. Luke 7:19 A number of significant manuscripts read “Jesus”
  17. Luke 7:20 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
  18. Luke 7:22 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  19. Luke 7:22 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“go”) has been translated as a finite verb
  20. Luke 7:22 Some manuscripts have “and the deaf hear”
  21. Luke 7:22 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  22. Luke 7:24 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had departed”)
  23. Luke 7:27 A quotation from Mal 3:1; cf. Mark 1:2; Matt 11:10
  24. Luke 7:29 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  25. Luke 7:29 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  26. Luke 7:29 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had been baptized”) which is understood as causal
  27. Luke 7:30 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“been baptized”) which is understood as causal
  28. Luke 7:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“entered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  29. Luke 7:37 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“learned”) which is understood as temporal
  30. Luke 7:38 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  31. Luke 7:38 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  32. Luke 7:39 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  33. Luke 7:39 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  34. Luke 7:40 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  35. Luke 7:40 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  36. Luke 7:42 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“able”)
  37. Luke 7:42 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  38. Luke 7:42 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  39. Luke 7:43 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  40. Luke 7:44 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  41. Luke 7:47 Literally “on account of which”

In addition to teaching and healing, Jesus also gathers disciples, who are simply students or apprentices. Their classroom is the world—hillsides and beaches, homes and country roads, fields and city streets. Their subject is life—life in the kingdom of God. Jesus has many students, both men and women, but He forms a special inner circle known as “the twelve.” The number “twelve” is highly symbolic because the Jewish people were originally composed of twelve tribes. However, over the centuries, some of the tribes were decimated. By calling together a new twelve, Jesus seems to be dramatizing a new beginning for the people of God. The original twelve tribes found their identity in the law of Moses, but now Jesus is giving a new way of life for His twelve to learn and follow.

Jesus shared all these sayings with the crowd that day on the plain. When He was finished, He went into the town of Capernaum. There, a Centurion had a slave he loved dearly. The slave was sick—about to die— so when the Centurion heard about Jesus, he contacted some Jewish elders. He sent them to ask Jesus to come and heal his dear slave. With great emotion and respect, the elders presented their request to Jesus.

Jewish Elders: This man is worthy of Your help. It’s true that he’s a Centurion, but he loves our nation. In fact, he paid for our synagogue to be built.

So Jesus accompanied them. When they approached the Centurion’s home, the Centurion sent out some friends to bring a message to Jesus.

Message of the Centurion: Lord, don’t go to the trouble of coming inside. I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. That’s why I sent others with my request. Just say the word, and that will be enough to heal my servant. I understand how authority works, being under authority myself and having soldiers under my authority. I command to one, “Go,” and he goes. I say to another, “Come,” and he comes. I say to my slave, “Do this,” and he obeys me.

Jesus was deeply impressed when He heard this. He turned to the crowd that followed Him.

John, it seems, is having second thoughts. Is Jesus really the One we have expected? Is He the Anointed One? But who can blame John for these doubts? After all, John is in prison, unjustly held by a corrupt, immoral ruler. Ultimately the desert prophet will have his head severed from his body when the drunken, lusty king makes a silly promise in front of dinner guests. So who can blame John for seeking assurance from the Lord? Jesus, realizing fully the kinds of expectations others have, gently reminds John and his disciples of the Scriptures: “the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead live, and the poor receive the good news.” Luke doesn’t say how John responds to the report as he nears his own end. What is clear is that Jesus has the utmost respect for His colleague and cousin. He doesn’t reject him for his doubts but tries to send him reassurance.

Jesus: Listen, everyone. This outsider, this Roman, has more faith than I have found even among our own Jewish people.

10 The friends of the Centurion returned home, and they found the slave was completely healed.

11 It wasn’t long after this when Jesus entered a city called Nain. Again all of His disciples accompanied Him, along with a huge crowd. 12 He was coming near the gate of the city as a corpse was being carried out. This man was the only child and support of his widowed mother, and she was accompanied by a large funeral crowd.

13 As soon as the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her.

Jesus: Don’t weep.

14 Then He came to the stretcher, and those carrying it stood still.

Jesus: Young man, listen! Get up!

15 The dead man immediately sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother, 16 and everyone was both shocked and jubilant. They praised God.

Funeral Crowd: A tremendous prophet has arisen in our midst! God has visited His people!

17 News of Jesus spread across the whole province of Judea and beyond to the surrounding regions. 18 When these reports reached John’s disciples, they brought news to John himself, who was known for his preaching and ritual cleansing.[a] 19 John sent two of his disciples to ask the Lord, “Are You the Promised One, or shall we keep looking for someone else?”

20 They came to Jesus and asked their question exactly as directed by John the Baptist.

21 Before He answered John’s messengers, Jesus cured many from various diseases, health conditions, and evil spirits. He even caused many blind people to regain their sight.

Jesus (to John’s disciples): 22 Go and tell John what you’ve witnessed with your own eyes and ears: the blind are seeing again, the lame are walking again, the lepers are clean again, the deaf hear again, the dead live again, and good news is preached to the poor.[b] 23 Whoever is not offended by Me is blessed indeed.

24 When John’s messengers left, Jesus talked to the crowds about John.

Jesus: When you went out into the wilderness to see John, what were you expecting? A reed shaking in the wind? 25 What were you looking for? A man in expensive clothing? Look, if you were looking for fancy clothes and luxurious living, you went to the wrong place—you should have gone to the kings’ courts, not to the wilderness! 26 What were you seeking? A prophet? Ah yes, that’s what John is, and even more than a prophet. 27 The prophet Malachi was talking about John when he wrote,

    I will send My messenger before You,
        to clear Your path in front of You.[c]

28 Listen, there is no human being greater than this man, John the Baptist. Yet even the least significant person in the coming kingdom of God is greater than John.

29 The common people and tax collectors heard God’s own wisdom in Jesus’ assessment of John because they had been ritually cleansed through baptism by John. 30 But the Pharisees and religious scholars hardened their hearts and turned their backs on God’s purposes for them because they had refused John’s baptism.[d]

Jesus: 31 The people of this generation—what are they like? To what can they be compared? 32 I’ll tell you: they’re like spoiled kids sitting in the marketplace playing games, calling out,

    We played the pipes for you,
        but you didn’t dance to our tune!
    We cried like mourners,
        but you didn’t cry with us!

33 You can’t win with this generation. John the Baptist comes along, fasting and abstaining from wine, and you say, “This guy is demon-possessed!” 34 The Son of Man comes along, feasting and drinking wine, and you say, “This guy is a glutton and a drunk, a friend of scoundrels and tax collectors!” 35 Well, wisdom’s true children know wisdom when they hear it.

36-40 Once a Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to be a guest for a meal.

Picture this:

Just as Jesus enters the man’s home and takes His place at the table, a woman from the city—notorious as a woman of ill repute—follows Him in. She has heard that Jesus will be at the Pharisee’s home, so she comes in and approaches Him, carrying an alabaster flask of perfumed oil. Then she begins to cry, she kneels down so her tears fall on Jesus’ feet, and she starts wiping His feet with her own hair. Then she actually kisses His feet, and she pours the perfumed oil on them.

Simon (thinking): Now I know this guy is a fraud. If He were a real prophet, He would have known this woman is a sinner and He would never let her get near Him, much less touch Him . . . or kiss Him!

Jesus (knowing what the Pharisee is thinking): Simon, I want to tell you a story.

Simon: Tell me, Teacher.

Jesus: 41 Two men owed a certain lender a lot of money. One owed 100 weeks’ wages, and the other owed 10 weeks’ wages. 42 Both men defaulted on their loans, but the lender forgave them both. Here’s a question for you: which man will love the lender more?

Simon: 43 Well, I guess it would be the one who was forgiven more.

Jesus: Good answer.

44-46 Now Jesus turns around so He’s facing the woman, although He’s still speaking to Simon.

Jesus: Do you see this woman here? It’s kind of funny. I entered your home, and you didn’t provide a basin of water so I could wash the road dust from My feet. You didn’t give Me a customary kiss of greeting and welcome. You didn’t offer Me the common courtesy of providing oil to brighten My face. But this woman has wet My feet with her own tears and washed them with her own hair. She hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in. And she has applied perfumed oil to My feet. 47 This woman has been forgiven much, and she is showing much love. But the person who has shown little love shows how little forgiveness he has received.

48 (to the woman) Your sins are forgiven.

Simon and Friends (muttering among themselves): 49 Who does this guy think He is? He has the audacity to claim the authority to forgive sins?

Jesus (to the woman): 50 Your faith has liberated you. Go in peace.

Footnotes

  1. 7:18 Literally, immersing, to show repentance
  2. 7:22 Isaiah 29:18; 35:5–6
  3. 7:27 Malachi 3:1
  4. 7:30 Literally, immersed, to show repentance

The Faith of the Centurion(A)

When Jesus had finished saying all this(B) to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.(C) For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son(D)

11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord(E) saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”(F) 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 They were all filled with awe(G) and praised God.(H) “A great prophet(I) has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”(J) 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.(K)

Jesus and John the Baptist(L)

18 John’s(M) disciples(N) told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses(O) and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.(P) 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet?(Q) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’[b](R)

28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God(S) is greater than he.”

29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.(T) 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law(U) rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:

“‘We played the pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not cry.’

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine,(V) and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(W) 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman(X)(Y)

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet,(Z) he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet,(AA) but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss,(AB) but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head,(AC) but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”(AD)

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you;(AE) go in peace.”(AF)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:22 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  2. Luke 7:27 Mal. 3:1
  3. Luke 7:41 A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt. 20:2).