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The Centurion’s Faith

(A)When He had completed all His words in the hearing of the people, (B)He went to Capernaum.

And a centurion’s slave, [a]who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. Now when he heard about Jesus, (C)he sent some [b]Jewish elders asking Him to come and [c]save the life of his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they were earnestly pleading with Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him; for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” Now Jesus was going on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “[d]Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not good enough for You to come under my roof. For this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just [e]say the word, and my [f]servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him. And He turned to the crowd that was following Him and said, “I say to you, (D)not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

11 And it happened that soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain, and His disciples were going along with Him, [g]accompanied by a large crowd. 12 Now as He approached the gate of the city, behold, [h]a dead man was being carried out, the [i]only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a sizeable crowd from the city was with her. 13 And when (E)the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her and said to her, “Do not cry.” 14 And He came up and touched the coffin, and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” 15 And the [j]dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16 (F)And fear gripped them all, and they began (G)glorifying God, saying, “A great (H)prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has [k]visited His people!” 17 (I)And this report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district.

Questions from John the Baptist

18 (J)And the disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 19 Summoning [l]two of his disciples, John sent them to (K)the Lord, saying, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?” 20 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?’” 21 At that [m]very time He (L)cured many people of diseases and (M)afflictions and evil spirits, and He granted sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the (N)blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the (O)poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 Blessed is he [n]who does not take offense at Me.”

24 And when the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 [o]But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft garments? Behold, those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and even more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written,

(P)Behold, I send My messenger [p]ahead of You,
Who will prepare Your way before You.’

28 I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is [q]least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 And when all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they [r]acknowledged (Q)God’s justice, (R)having been baptized with (S)the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and the (T)scholars of the Law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by [s]John.

31 “To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children, sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, who say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’ 33 For John the Baptist has come (U)eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a [t]drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and [u]sinners!’ 35 Yet wisdom (V)is vindicated [v]by all her children.”

36 Now one of the Pharisees was asking Him to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 (W)And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a [w]sinner. And when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 And standing behind Him at His feet, crying, she began to wet His feet with her tears. And she kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39 Now when the Pharisee, who had invited Him, saw this, he said to himself, saying, “If this man were (X)a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”

Parable of Two Debtors

40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he [x]replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred [y](Y)denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they (Z)were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he graciously 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 your house; you (AA)gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You (AB)gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 (AC)You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, (AD)Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 And those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say [z]to themselves, “(AE)Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, (AF)Your faith has saved you; (AG)go in peace.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:2 Lit to whom he was honorable
  2. Luke 7:3 Lit elders of the Jews
  3. Luke 7:3 Or cure
  4. Luke 7:6 Or Sir
  5. Luke 7:7 Lit say with a word
  6. Luke 7:7 Or boy
  7. Luke 7:11 Lit and
  8. Luke 7:12 Lit one who had died
  9. Luke 7:12 Or only begotten
  10. Luke 7:15 Or corpse
  11. Luke 7:16 Or cared for
  12. Luke 7:19 Lit a certain two
  13. Luke 7:21 Lit hour
  14. Luke 7:23 Lit whoever
  15. Luke 7:25 Or Well then, what
  16. Luke 7:27 Lit before Your face
  17. Luke 7:28 Or less
  18. Luke 7:29 Or justified God
  19. Luke 7:30 Lit him
  20. Luke 7:34 Or wine-drinker
  21. Luke 7:34 Irreligious Jews
  22. Luke 7:35 Or from
  23. Luke 7:37 An immoral woman
  24. Luke 7:40 Lit says
  25. Luke 7:41 A Roman silver coin, approx. a laborer’s daily wage
  26. Luke 7:49 Or among

A Centurion’s Faith

When He had concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.(A) A centurion’s slave, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this, because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.”(B) Jesus went with them, and when He was not far from[a] the house, the centurion sent friends to tell Him, “Lord, don’t trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured.[b](C) For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command.[c] I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

A Widow’s Son Raised to Life

11 Soon afterward He was on His way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him. 12 Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow.(D) A large crowd from the city was also with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her(E) and said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then He came up and touched the open coffin,[d] and the pallbearers stopped. And He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”(F)

15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.(G) 16 Then fear[e] came over everyone,(H) and they glorified God,(I) saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,”(J) and “God has visited[f] His people.”(K) 17 This report about Him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.

In Praise of John the Baptist

18 Then John’s disciples told him about all these things.(L) So John summoned two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are You the One(M) who is to come, or should we look for someone else?”

20 When the men reached Him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask You, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?’”

21 At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases,(N) plagues, and evil spirits,(O) and He granted sight to many blind people.(P) 22 He replied to them, “Go and report to John the things you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed,[g] the deaf hear,(Q) the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news.(R) 23 And anyone who is not offended because of Me is blessed.” 24 After John’s messengers left, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? Look, those who are splendidly dressed[h] and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?(S) Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 27 This is the one it is written about:

Look, I am sending My messenger
ahead of You;[i]
he will prepare Your way before You.(T)[j]

28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John,[k] but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness,[l] because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.(U) 30 But since the Pharisees and experts in the law(V) had not been baptized by him, they rejected the plan of God for themselves.(W))

An Unresponsive Generation

31 “To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and 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 didn’t dance;
we sang a lament,
but you didn’t weep!

33 For John the Baptist did not come eating bread or drinking wine,(X) and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’(Y) 35 Yet wisdom is vindicated[m] by all her children.”

Much Forgiveness, Much Love

36 Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.(Z) 37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house.(AA) She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil 38 and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.(AB)

39 When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him—she’s a sinner!”(AC)

40 Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

“Teacher,” he said, “say it.”

41 “A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii,(AD) and the other 50. 42 Since they could not pay it back,(AE) he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.”

“You have judged correctly,” He told him. 44 Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet,(AF) but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave Me no kiss,(AG) but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in. 46 You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil,(AH) but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why[n] she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”(AI)

49 Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”(AJ)

50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you.(AK) Go in peace.”(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:6 Lit and He already was not far from
  2. Luke 7:7 Other mss read and let my servant be cured
  3. Luke 7:8 Lit under me
  4. Luke 7:14 Or the bier
  5. Luke 7:16 Or awe
  6. Luke 7:16 Or come to help
  7. Luke 7:22 Lit cleansed
  8. Luke 7:25 Or who have glorious robes
  9. Luke 7:27 Lit messenger before Your face
  10. Luke 7:27 Mal 3:1
  11. Luke 7:28 Other mss read women is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist
  12. Luke 7:29 Lit they justified God
  13. Luke 7:35 Or wisdom is declared right
  14. Luke 7:47 Her love shows that she has been forgiven