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」。

治好百夫长的仆人(A)

耶稣向群众讲完这一切话,就进了迦百农。 有百夫长所重用的一个奴仆,病得快要死了。 百夫长听见耶稣的事,就打发犹太人中几个长老到他那里,求他去医治他的奴仆。 长老们就来见耶稣,恳切地求他说:“你给他行这事,是他配得的, 因为他爱我们的人民,给我们建造会堂。” 耶稣就和他们同去。离那家不远的时候,百夫长派几个朋友来说:“主啊,不必劳驾,因为你到舍下来,我实在不敢当, 我也觉得没有资格去见你;只要你说一句话,我的仆人就必好了。 因为我自己是在别人的权下,也有兵在我以下;我对这个说:‘去!’他就去;对另一个说:‘来!’他就来;对我的仆人说:‘作这个!’他就作。” 耶稣听见这些话,就很惊奇,转身对跟随的众人说:“我告诉你们,这样的信心,我在以色列中从来没有见过。” 10 奉派的人回到家里,见那奴仆已经好了。

使拿因城寡妇的儿子复活

11 后来耶稣往拿因城去,与他同去的有门徒和一大群人。 12 他走近城门的时候,有人把一个死人抬出来,是个独生子,他母亲又是个寡妇。城里有一大群人陪着她。 13 主看见了,就怜悯她,对她说:“不要哭!” 14 于是上前按着杠子,抬的人就站住。他说:“青年人,我吩咐你起来!” 15 那死人就坐起来,开口说话,耶稣就把他交给他母亲。 16 众人都惊惧,颂赞 神说:“有伟大的先知在我们中间兴起来了!”又说:“ 神眷顾他的子民了!” 17 于是这话传遍了犹太和周围各地。

约翰派门徒去见耶稣(B)

18 约翰的门徒把这一切事告诉约翰。他就叫了两个门徒, 19 差他们往主那里去,说:“你就是那位要来的,还是我们要等别人呢?” 20 两人来到耶稣跟前,说:“施洗的约翰差我们来问你:‘你就是那位要来的,还是我们要等别人呢?’” 21 就在那时候,耶稣治好许多患疾病的、遭灾难的、身上有污鬼附着的,并且施恩给瞎眼的,使他们看见。 22 耶稣回答他们:“你们回去,把看见和听见的都告诉约翰,就是瞎的可以看见,跛的可以走路,患痲风的得到洁净,聋的可以听见,死人复活,穷人有福音听。 23 那不被我绊倒的,就有福了。”

耶稣论约翰(C)

24 约翰差来的人走了以后,耶稣对群众讲起约翰来,说:“你们到旷野去,是要看甚么?被风吹动的芦苇吗? 25 你们出去到底要看甚么?身穿华丽衣服的人吗?这些衣服华丽,生活奢侈的人,是在王宫里的。 26 那么,你们出去要看甚么?先知吗?我告诉你们,是的。他比先知重要得多了。 27 圣经所记:

‘看哪,我差遣我的使者在你面前,

他必在你前头预备你的道路’,

这句话是指着他说的。 28 我告诉你们,妇人所生的,没有一个比约翰更大,然而在 神的国里最小的比他还大。” 29 众人和税吏受过约翰的洗礼,听见这话,就称 神为义。 30 但法利赛人和律法师,未受过约翰的洗礼,就拒绝 神对他们的美意。 31 耶稣又说:“我要把这世代的人比作甚么呢?他们好象甚么呢? 32 他们好象小孩子坐在巿中心,彼此呼叫,说:

‘我们给你们吹笛子,你们却不跳舞;

我们唱哀歌,你们也不啼哭。’

33 因为施洗的约翰来了,不吃饭,不喝酒,你们说他是鬼附的。 34 人子来了,又吃又喝,你们说:‘你看,这人贪食好酒,与税吏和罪人为友。’ 35 但 神的智慧,借着他的儿女就证实是公义的了。”

赦免犯了罪的女人(参(D)

36 有一个法利赛人,请耶稣同他吃饭,他就到法利赛人家去赴席。 37 那城里有一个女人,是个罪人,知道他在法利赛人家里吃饭,就拿着一瓶香膏, 38 站在耶稣背后,挨近他的脚哭,眼泪滴湿他的脚,又用自己的头发擦干,不住地吻他的脚,并且抹上香膏。 39 请他的法利赛人看见了,心里说:“这人若是先知,必定知道摸他的是谁,是怎样的女人,因为她是个罪人!” 40 耶稣对他说:“西门,我有句话要对你说。”他说:“老师,请说。” 41 耶稣说:“一个债主有两个债户,一个欠五百银币,一个欠五十。 42 他们都无力偿还,债主就把两人豁免了。他们之中哪一个更爱他呢?” 43 西门回答:“我想是那个多得恩免的。”耶稣说:“你判断对了。” 44 于是转身向着那女人,对西门说:“你看见这女人吗?我进了你的家,你没有给我水洗脚,但这女人用眼泪湿了我的脚,用头发擦干。 45 你没有和我亲吻;但这女人,自从我进来,就不住地亲我的脚。 46 你没有用油抹我的头;但这女人用香膏抹我的脚。 47 所以我告诉你,她许多罪都蒙赦免了,因为她的爱多;那赦免少的,爱就少。” 48 耶稣就对她说:“你的罪赦免了。” 49 跟他一起吃饭的人心里说:“这是谁,竟然赦罪呢?” 50 耶稣对那女人说:“你的信救了你,平安地去吧!”

From the Beatitudes to the Parables[a]

Chapter 7

Jesus Heals the Centurion’s Servant.[b] After Jesus had finished speaking to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion who dwelt there had a servant whom he regarded highly and who was ill and near death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to ask him if he would come and heal his servant.

When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, saying, “He deserves this favor from you, for he loves our people, and he was the one who built our synagogue for us.”

Jesus went with them. When he drew near the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. That is the reason why I did not presume to approach you personally. But say the word and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers who are subject to me. I say to one: ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another: ‘Come here,’ and he comes, and to my servant: ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard these words, he was amazed, and, turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, in no one throughout Israel have I found faith as great as this.” 10 When the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant completely healthy.

11 Jesus Raises the Son of a Widow.[c] Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his widowed mother. A large group of people from the town accompanied her.

13 When the Lord saw her, he was filled with compassion, and he said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 After this, he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers halted. Then he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

16 Fear seized all who were present, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people.” 17 The news of what he had done spread throughout Judea and the surrounding region.

18 Jesus Answers the Baptist’s Question.[d] When the disciples of John brought him reports about all these things, 19 John designated two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 20 When they came to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask: ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ ”

21 At that time, Jesus had just cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits, and had restored the sight of many who were blind. 22 And he gave them this reply: “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. 23 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

24 Jesus Praises John the Baptist.[e]When John’s messengers had departed, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25 What did you go out to see? Someone robed in fine clothing? Those who are robed in gorgeous clothing and live luxuriously are to be found in royal palaces. 26 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:

‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’

28 “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John, and yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (All the people who heard him, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the saving justice of God, for they had received John’s baptism. 30 However, the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law who had refused his baptism rejected God’s plan for them.)

31 Indecisive Children.“Then to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to each other:

‘We played the flute for you,
    but you would not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you refused to mourn.’

33 “For John the Baptist has come, eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say: ‘He is possessed.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say: ‘Look at him! He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 Yet wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

36 Jesus Pardons a Sinful Woman.[f] One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to dine with him. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house, he took his place at table. 37 A woman of that town, who was leading a sinful life, learned that Jesus was a dinner guest in the Pharisee’s house. Carrying with her an alabaster jar of ointment,[g] 38 she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were really a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus then said to the Pharisee, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied, “What is it, Teacher?”

41 “There were two men who were in debt to a certain creditor. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other owed fifty. 42 When they were unable to repay him, he canceled both debts. Now which one of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “I would imagine that it would be the one who was forgiven the larger amount.” Jesus replied, “You have judged rightly.”

44 Then, turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your home, and you provided no water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she has not ceased to kiss my feet from the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore, I tell you: her many sins have been forgiven her because she has shown great love. But the one who has been forgiven little has little love.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Those who were at table began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 But Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:1 The first 17 verses in this section recount two miracles of Christ, which highlight his mission both to the Jews and to the Gentiles. The next 33 verses then have to do with Jesus and the Baptist. The first Christian generations no doubt encountered groups who were followers of John the Baptist. Hence, it was most necessary to comprehend well the destiny of this prophet. Several times Luke sketches a parallel between John and Jesus (see Lk 1:5-56; 3:1-20; 9:7-9). Each time the Baptist impresses us by his courage, and each time Christ’s mission seems so different from his. Between these two destinies there is a kind of rupture, the difference of the two Testaments.
  2. Luke 7:1 Every miracle testifies to Christ’s power to save people. But this miracle is reported above all to teach the cost of faith in Jesus and to astound us with the faith of a pagan. Luke describes the deep religious attitude of this man. At that time, it was only at great cost that a Roman official would invite a Jew or show consideration for the one God worshiped by a conquered people. This miracle, granted to a pagan who trusted solely in the power of Jesus, discreetly announces the call of non-Jews to salvation (see Acts 10:34-35).
  3. Luke 7:11 Luke is the only one who reports this incident, which takes place in a village in the area of Nazareth. God manifests himself once again as he did in the time of the prophets Elijah and Elisha (see 1 Ki 17:17-24; 2 Ki 4:18-37).
  4. Luke 7:18 Jesus answers John by telling him of the signs which he, Jesus, is performing: those foreseen by the Prophets (Ps 72:2, 12-13; Isa 61:1-2). He is not the liberator of a nation but someone who takes the side of the wretched and marginalized of this world (see Lk 4:16-19).
  5. Luke 7:24 John the Baptist, messenger of the Savior, surpasses the Prophets because he precedes and announces the coming of the Lord (Lk 1:17, 76; Mal 3:1), but Jesus alone inaugurates this new time of the kingdom. The austere preaching of John moved the people and the tax collectors, those who were despised, whereas the officials of the religion rejected him in the same way they disdained the call to joy addressed to them by Jesus. This shows the narrow-mindedness of those who believe themselves wise in the face of the unexpected accomplished by God. But the true believers welcome the plan of the Lord who saves, i.e., his “wisdom.”
  6. Luke 7:36 The other three evangelists place this incident just before the Passion. Luke, however, keeps it here to show that his primary concern is with the mercy and forgiveness of God. He is the only evangelist to hand down the memory of good relations between Jesus and the Pharisees who invite him to dine (see also Lk 11:37; 14:1): these men, too, are children of Israel and will be given the instruction that they really need.
  7. Luke 7:37 The woman is certainly not Mary Magdalene (see Lk 8:2) nor Mary the sister of Lazarus (Lk 10:39; Jn 11:5). The immense popularity of Mary Magdalene was due to a confusion, which occurred as far back as Christian antiquity, between the sinful woman who is forgiven here and the real Mary Magdalene, who was one of the main figures on Calvary and at the tomb.