路加福音 7
Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified)
治百夫长的仆人
7 耶稣对百姓讲完了这一切的话，就进了迦百农。
2 有一个百夫长所宝贵的仆人害病快要死了。 3 百夫长风闻耶稣的事，就托犹太人的几个长老去求耶稣来救他的仆人。 4 他们到了耶稣那里，就切切地求他，说：“你给他行这事是他所配得的， 5 因为他爱我们的百姓，给我们建造会堂。” 6 耶稣就和他们同去。离那家不远，百夫长托几个朋友去见耶稣，对他说：“主啊，不要劳动，因你到我舍下，我不敢当， 7 我也自以为不配去见你。只要你说一句话，我的仆人就必好了。 8 因为我在人的权下，也有兵在我以下，对这个说‘去！’他就去，对那个说‘来！’他就来，对我的仆人说‘你做这事！’他就去做。” 9 耶稣听见这话，就稀奇他，转身对跟随的众人说：“我告诉你们：这么大的信心，就是在以色列中我也没有遇见过！” 10 那托来的人回到百夫长家里，看见仆人已经好了。
叫拿因城寡妇之子复活
11 过了不多时[a]，耶稣往一座城去，这城名叫拿因，他的门徒和极多的人与他同行。 12 将近城门，有一个死人被抬出来。这人是他母亲独生的儿子，他母亲又是寡妇。有城里的许多人同着寡妇送殡。 13 主看见那寡妇，就怜悯她，对她说：“不要哭！” 14 于是进前按着杠，抬的人就站住了。耶稣说：“少年人，我吩咐你，起来！” 15 那死人就坐起，并且说话。耶稣便把他交给他母亲。 16 众人都惊奇，归荣耀于神，说：“有大先知在我们中间兴起来了！”又说：“神眷顾了他的百姓！” 17 他这事的风声就传遍了犹太和周围地方。
施洗约翰差人问主
18 约翰的门徒把这些事都告诉约翰。 19 他便叫了两个门徒来，打发他们到主那里去说：“那将要来的是你吗？还是我们等候别人呢？” 20 那两个人来到耶稣那里，说：“施洗的约翰打发我们来问你：那将要来的是你吗？还是我们等候别人呢？” 21 正当那时候，耶稣治好了许多有疾病的、受灾患的、被恶鬼附着的，又开恩叫好些瞎子能看见。 22 耶稣回答说：“你们去，把所看见、所听见的事告诉约翰，就是：瞎子看见，瘸子行走，长大麻风的洁净，聋子听见，死人复活，穷人有福音传给他们。 23 凡不因我跌倒的，就有福了！”
称赞施洗约翰
24 约翰所差来的人既走了，耶稣就对众人讲论约翰说：“你们从前出去到旷野是要看什么呢？要看风吹动的芦苇吗？ 25 你们出去到底是要看什么？要看穿细软衣服的人吗？那穿华丽衣服、宴乐度日的人是在王宫里。 26 你们出去究竟是要看什么？要看先知吗？我告诉你们，是的，他比先知大多了。 27 经上记着说：‘我要差遣我的使者在你前面预备道路’，所说的就是这个人。 28 我告诉你们：凡妇人所生的，没有一个大过约翰的；然而神国里最小的比他还大。” 29 众百姓和税吏既受过约翰的洗，听见这话，就以神为义。 30 但法利赛人和律法师没有受过约翰的洗，竟为自己废弃了神的旨意。[b] 31 主又说：“这样，我可用什么比这世代的人呢？他们好像什么呢？ 32 好像孩童坐在街市上，彼此呼叫说：‘我们向你们吹笛，你们不跳舞！我们向你们举哀，你们不啼哭！’ 33 施洗的约翰来，不吃饼不喝酒，你们说他是被鬼附着的。 34 人子来，也吃也喝，你们说他是贪食好酒的人，是税吏和罪人的朋友。 35 但智慧之子都以智慧为是。”
有罪的女人用香膏抹主
36 有一个法利赛人请耶稣和他吃饭，耶稣就到法利赛人家里去坐席。 37 那城里有一个女人，是个罪人，知道耶稣在法利赛人家里坐席，就拿着盛香膏的玉瓶， 38 站在耶稣背后，挨着他的脚哭，眼泪湿了耶稣的脚，就用自己的头发擦干，又用嘴连连亲他的脚，把香膏抹上。 39 请耶稣的法利赛人看见这事，心里说：“这人若是先知，必知道摸他的是谁，是个怎样的女人，乃是个罪人！” 40 耶稣对他说：“西门，我有句话要对你说。”西门说：“夫子，请说。” 41 耶稣说：“一个债主有两个人欠他的债，一个欠五十两银子，一个欠五两银子。 42 因为他们无力偿还，债主就开恩免了他们两个人的债。这两个人哪一个更爱他呢？” 43 西门回答说：“我想是那多得恩免的人。”耶稣说：“你断的不错。”
爱大赦免也大
44 于是转过来向着那女人，便对西门说：“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 你没有与我亲嘴，但这女人从我进来的时候就不住地用嘴亲我的脚； 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：她许多的罪都赦免了，因为她的爱多；但那赦免少的，他的爱就少。” 48 于是对那女人说：“你的罪赦免了！” 49 同席的人心里说：“这是什么人，竟赦免人的罪呢？” 50 耶稣对那女人说：“你的信救了你，平平安安地回去吧！”
路加福音 7
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
百夫长的信心
7 耶稣向众人讲完道后，进了迦百农。 2 当时，有一个百夫长很赏识的奴仆病了，生命垂危。 3 百夫长听说耶稣的事，就托几位犹太人的长老去请耶稣来医治他的奴仆。 4 他们便来恳求耶稣，说：“这位百夫长值得你帮助， 5 因为他爱我们的同胞，为我们建造会堂。” 6 耶稣就跟他们去了。
快抵达时，那百夫长又请几位朋友去见耶稣，对祂说：“主啊，不用劳驾，我不配让你亲自来我家。 7 我自认不配见你的面，只要你一句话，我的奴仆必定康复。 8 因为我有上司，也有部下。我命令我的部下去，他就去；要他来，他就来。我吩咐奴仆做什么事，他一定照办。”
9 耶稣听了这番话，感到惊奇，转身对跟从祂的百姓说：“我告诉你们，就是在以色列，我也从未见过有这么大信心的人。”
10 派去的几位朋友回到百夫长家里，发现那奴仆已经痊愈了。
寡妇的独子起死回生
11 过了不久[a]，耶稣去拿因城，随行的有门徒和一大群人。 12 耶稣快到城门口时，从城里走出一队送殡的人，死者是一个寡妇的独子，有许多城中的人陪着她。 13 耶稣看见那寡妇，怜悯之心油然而生，就对她说：“不要哭！” 14 随即上前按住抬尸架，抬的人停了下来。耶稣说：“年轻人，我吩咐你起来！” 15 那死者就坐了起来，并开口说话。耶稣把他交给他母亲。
16 在场的人惊惧万分，把荣耀归给上帝，说：“我们中间出了一位大先知！”又说：“上帝眷顾了祂的百姓！” 17 有关祂的这消息传遍了犹太和附近地区。
施洗者约翰的疑问
18 约翰从自己的门徒那里获悉这些事后， 19 就叫了两个门徒来，派他们去问主：“将要来的那位就是你吗？还是我们要等别人呢？”
20 他们找到耶稣，便问：“施洗者约翰派我们来请教你，‘将要来的那位就是你吗？还是我们要等别人呢？’”
21 那时，耶稣刚治好了许多患各种疾病和被鬼附身的人，又使许多瞎子得见光明。 22 耶稣便回答说：“你们回去把所见所闻告诉约翰，就是瞎子看见，瘸子走路，麻风病人得洁净，聋子听见，死人复活，穷人听到福音。 23 凡对我没有失去信心的人有福了！”
耶稣称赞施洗者约翰
24 约翰的门徒离去后，耶稣对众人谈论约翰，说：“你们从前去旷野要看什么呢？看随风摇动的芦苇吗？ 25 如果不是，你们到底想看什么？是看穿绫罗绸缎的人吗？那些衣着华丽、生活奢侈的人住在王宫里。 26 你们究竟想看什么？看先知吗？是的，我告诉你们，他不只是先知。 27 圣经上说，‘看啊，我要差遣我的使者在你前面为你预备道路。’这里所指的就是约翰。 28 我告诉你们，凡妇人所生的，没有一个比约翰大，但上帝国中最微不足道的也比他大。”
29 众百姓和税吏听了这番话，都承认上帝是公义的，因为他们接受了约翰的洗礼。 30 但那些法利赛人和律法教师没有接受约翰的洗礼，拒绝了上帝为他们所定的旨意。
31 主又说：“我用什么来比拟这个世代的人呢？他们像什么呢？ 32 他们就如街头上戏耍的孩童——彼此呼叫，
“‘我们吹娶亲的乐曲，
你们不跳舞；
我们唱送葬的哀歌，
你们不哭泣。’
33 施洗者约翰来了，禁食禁酒，你们就说他被鬼附身了； 34 人子来了，又吃又喝，你们就说，‘看啊，祂是个贪吃好酒之徒，与税吏和罪人为友！’ 35 然而，智慧会在追求智慧的人身上得到验证。”
罪妇的悔改
36 有一个法利赛人请耶稣到他家里吃饭，耶稣应邀赴宴。 37 那城里住着一个女人，生活败坏。她听说耶稣在那法利赛人家里吃饭，就带了一个盛满香膏的玉瓶进去。 38 她站在耶稣背后，挨着祂的脚哭，泪水滴湿了祂的脚，就用自己的头发擦干，又连连亲祂的脚，并抹上香膏。
39 请耶稣的法利赛人看在眼里，心想：“如果这人真的是先知，就该知道摸祂的是谁，是个什么样的女人，她是个罪人。”
40 耶稣对他说：“西门，我有话跟你说。”
西门答道：“老师，请说。”
41 耶稣说：“有一个债主借给一个人五百个银币，又借给另一个人五十个银币。 42 二人都没有能力还债，这位债主就免了他们的债务。你想，哪一位会更爱债主呢？”
43 西门答道：“我相信是那个被免去较多债的人。”
44 耶稣说：“你判断得对！”随后转向那女人，继续对西门说：“你看见这女人了吗？我到你家里来，你没有拿水给我洗脚，这女人却用她的眼泪洗我的脚，还亲自用头发擦干。 45 你没有亲吻我，但我进来以后，这女人却不停地吻我的脚。 46 你没有用油为我抹头，这女人却用香膏抹我的脚。 47 所以我告诉你，她众多的罪都被赦免了，因此她的爱深切；那些获得赦免少的，他们的爱也少。”
48 耶稣对那女人说：“你的罪都被赦免了。”
49 同席的人彼此议论说：“这人是谁？竟然能赦免人的罪！”
50 耶稣又对那女人说：“你的信心救了你，平安地走吧！”
Footnotes
- 7:11 “过了不久”有古卷作“次日”。
Luke 7
New King James Version
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant(A)
7 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He (B)entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But (C)say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under (D)authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well [a]who had been sick.
Jesus Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain
11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, He had (E)compassion on her and said to her, (F)“Do not weep.” 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, (G)arise.” 15 So he who was dead (H)sat up and began to speak. And He (I)presented him to his mother.
16 (J)Then fear [b]came upon all, and they (K)glorified God, saying, (L)“A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, (M)“God has visited His people.” 17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus(N)
18 (O)Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to [c]Jesus, saying, “Are You (P)the Coming One, or [d]do we look for another?”
20 When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” 21 And that very hour He cured many of [e]infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
22 (Q)Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: (R)that the blind (S)see, the lame (T)walk, the lepers are (U)cleansed, the deaf (V)hear, the dead are raised, (W)the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not [f]offended because of Me.”
24 (X)When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes 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 clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written:
(Y)‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’
28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is [g]not a (Z)greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors [h]justified God, (AA)having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and [i]lawyers rejected (AB)the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
31 [j]And the Lord said, (AC)“To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:
‘We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not weep.’
33 For (AD)John the Baptist came (AE)neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come (AF)eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a [k]winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 (AG)But wisdom is justified by all her children.”
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
36 (AH)Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, (AI)“This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
So he said, “Teacher, say it.”
41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred (AJ)denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”
And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no (AK)water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no (AL)kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 (AM)You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 (AN)Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
48 Then He said to her, (AO)“Your sins are forgiven.”
49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, (AP)“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Then He said to the woman, (AQ)“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Footnotes
- Luke 7:10 NU omits who had been sick
- Luke 7:16 seized them all
- Luke 7:19 NU the Lord
- Luke 7:19 should we expect
- Luke 7:21 illnesses
- Luke 7:23 caused to stumble
- Luke 7:28 NU none greater than John;
- Luke 7:29 declared the righteousness of
- Luke 7:30 the experts in the law
- Luke 7:31 NU, M omit And the Lord said
- Luke 7:34 An excessive drinker
Luke 7
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 7
The Healing of a Centurion’s Slave.(A) 1 [a]When he had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum.[b] 2 A centurion[c] there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. 3 When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. 4 They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” 6 And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.[d] 7 Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
Raising of the Widow’s Son.[e] 11 (B)Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.(C) 13 When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.(D) 16 Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and “God has visited his people.”(E) 17 This report about him spread through the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
The Messengers from John the Baptist.[f] 18 (F)The disciples of John told him about all these things. John summoned two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”(G) 20 When the men came to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” 21 At that time he cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. 22 And he said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.(H) 23 And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”[g]
Jesus’ Testimony to John. 24 [h]When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.(I) “What did you go out to the desert to see—a reed swayed by the wind? 25 Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces. 26 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.(J) 27 This is the one about whom scripture says:
‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
he will prepare your way before you.’(K)
28 I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 (L)(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors, and who were baptized with the baptism of John, acknowledged the righteousness of God; 30 but the Pharisees and scholars of the law, who were not baptized by him, rejected the plan of God for themselves.)
31 [i]“Then to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?(M) 32 They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance.
We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(N) 35 But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
The Pardon of the Sinful Woman.[j] 36 (O)A Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.[k] 37 Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.(P) Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,(Q) 38 she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages[l] and the other owed fifty. 42 Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. 47 So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.[m] But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48 He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”(R) 49 The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”(S) 50 But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Footnotes
- 7:1–8:3 The episodes in this section present a series of reactions to the Galilean ministry of Jesus and reflect some of Luke’s particular interests: the faith of a Gentile (Lk 7:1–10); the prophet Jesus’ concern for a widowed mother (Lk 7:11–17); the ministry of Jesus directed to the afflicted and unfortunate of Is 61:1 (Lk 7:18–23); the relation between John and Jesus and their role in God’s plan for salvation (Lk 7:24–35); a forgiven sinner’s manifestation of love (Lk 7:36–50); the association of women with the ministry of Jesus (Lk 8:1–3).
- 7:1–10 This story about the faith of the centurion, a Gentile who cherishes the Jewish nation (Lk 7:5), prepares for the story in Acts of the conversion by Peter of the Roman centurion Cornelius who is similarly described as one who is generous to the Jewish nation (Acts 10:2). See also Acts 10:34–35 in the speech of Peter: “God shows no partiality…whoever fears him and acts righteously is acceptable to him.” See also notes on Mt 8:5–13 and Jn 4:43–54.
- 7:2 A centurion: see note on Mt 8:5.
- 7:6 I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof: to enter the house of a Gentile was considered unclean for a Jew; cf. Acts 10:28.
- 7:11–17 In the previous incident Jesus’ power was displayed for a Gentile whose servant was dying; in this episode it is displayed toward a widowed mother whose only son has already died. Jesus’ power over death prepares for his reply to John’s disciples in Lk 7:22: “the dead are raised.” This resuscitation in alluding to the prophet Elijah’s resurrection of the only son of a widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 7:8–24) leads to the reaction of the crowd: “A great prophet has arisen in our midst” (Lk 7:16).
- 7:18–23 In answer to John’s question, Are you the one who is to come?—a probable reference to the return of the fiery prophet of reform, Elijah, “before the day of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day” (Mal 3:23)—Jesus responds that his role is rather to bring the blessings spoken of in Is 61:1 to the oppressed and neglected of society (Lk 7:22; cf. Lk 4:18).
- 7:23 Blessed is the one who takes no offense at me: this beatitude is pronounced on the person who recognizes Jesus’ true identity in spite of previous expectations of what “the one who is to come” would be like.
- 7:24–30 In his testimony to John, Jesus reveals his understanding of the relationship between them: John is the precursor of Jesus (Lk 7:27); John is the messenger spoken of in Mal 3:1 who in Mal 3:23 is identified as Elijah. Taken with the previous episode, it can be seen that Jesus identifies John as precisely the person John envisioned Jesus to be: the Elijah who prepares the way for the coming of the day of the Lord.
- 7:31–35 See note on Mt 11:16–19.
- 7:36–50 In this story of the pardoning of the sinful woman Luke presents two different reactions to the ministry of Jesus. A Pharisee, suspecting Jesus to be a prophet, invites Jesus to a festive banquet in his house, but the Pharisee’s self-righteousness leads to little forgiveness by God and consequently little love shown toward Jesus. The sinful woman, on the other hand, manifests a faith in God (Lk 7:50) that has led her to seek forgiveness for her sins, and because so much was forgiven, she now overwhelms Jesus with her display of love; cf. the similar contrast in attitudes in Lk 18:9–14. The whole episode is a powerful lesson on the relation between forgiveness and love.
- 7:36 Reclined at table: the normal posture of guests at a banquet. Other oriental banquet customs alluded to in this story include the reception by the host with a kiss (Lk 7:45), washing the feet of the guests (Lk 7:44), and the anointing of the guests’ heads (Lk 7:46).
- 7:41 Days’ wages: one denarius is the normal daily wage of a laborer.
- 7:47 Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love: literally, “her many sins have been forgiven, seeing that she has loved much.” That the woman’s sins have been forgiven is attested by the great love she shows toward Jesus. Her love is the consequence of her forgiveness. This is also the meaning demanded by the parable in Lk 7:41–43.
Copyright © 2011 by Global Bible Initiative
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.