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And when he had fulfilled all his words into the ears of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

But a servant of a centurion, that was precious to him, was sick, and drawing to the death. [Soothly a servant of some man centurion, having evil, was to die, the which was precious to him.]

And when he had heard of Jesus, he sent to him the elder men of Jews, and prayed him [praying him], that he would come, and heal his servant.

And when they came to Jesus, they prayed him busily, and said to him, For he is worthy, that thou grant to him this thing; [And, when they came to Jesus, they prayed busily, saying to him, For he is worthy that thou give to him this thing;]

for he loveth our folk, and he builded to us a synagogue. [for he loveth our folk, and he built to us a synagogue.]

And Jesus went with them. And when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent to him friends, and said [saying], Lord, do not thou be travailed, for I am not worthy, that thou enter under my roof;

for which thing I deemed not myself worthy, that I come to thee; but say thou by word, and my child shall be healed.

For I am a man ordained under power, and have knights under me [having under me knights]; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this thing, and he doeth [it].

And when this thing was heard, Jesus wondered; [and he turned,] and said to the people following him, Truly I say to you, neither in Israel I found so great faith [not in Israel I found so great faith].

10 And they that were sent, turned again home, and found the servant whole [found the servant whole], that was sick.

11 And it was done afterward, Jesus went into a city, that is called Nain, and his disciples; and full great people went with him.[a]

12 And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, lo! the son of a woman that had no more children, was borne out dead [lo! an only son of his mother was borne out dead]; and this was a widow; and much people of the city [was] with her.

13 And when the Lord Jesus had seen her, he had ruth on her, and said to her, Do not thou weep.

14 And he came nigh, and touched the bier [And he came, and touched the bier]; and they that bare the bier stood. And he said, Young man, I say to thee, rise up.

15 And he that was dead sat up again, and began to speak [And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak]; and he gave him to his mother.

16 And dread took all men, and they magnified God, and said [saying], For a great prophet is risen among us, and, For God hath visited his people.

17 And this word went out of him into all Judaea, and into all the country about.

18 And John's disciples told him of all these things. [And the disciples of John told to him of all these things.]

19 And John called twain of his disciples, and sent them to Jesus, and said [And John called together two of his disciples, and sent to Jesus, saying], Art thou he that is to come, or abide we another?

20 And when the men came to him [Soothly when the men had come to him], they said, John Baptist sent us to thee, and said [saying], Art thou he that is to come, or we abide another?

21 And in that hour he healed many men of their sicknesses, and wounds, and [of] evil spirits; and he gave sight to many blind men.

22 And Jesus answered, and said to them [And Jesus answering said to them], Go ye again, and tell ye to John those things that ye have heard and seen; blind men see, crooked men go, mesels be made clean, deaf men hear, dead men rise again, poor men be taken to preaching of the gospel.

23 And he that shall not be caused to stumble in me [And whoever shall not be offended in me], is blessed.

24 And when the messengers of John were gone forth [And when the messengers of John had gone away], he began to say of John to the people, What went ye out into desert to see? a reed wagged with the wind [a reed waved with the wind]?

25 But what went ye out to see? a man clothed with soft clothes? Lo! they that be in [a] precious cloak [Lo! they that be in precious cloth] and in delights, be in kings' houses.

26 But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

27 This is he, of whom it is written, Lo! I send mine angel before thy face, which shall make ready thy way before thee.

28 Certainly I say to you, there is no man a more prophet among the children of women, than is John Baptist [Soothly I say to you, among the children of women, no man is more prophet than John Baptist]; but he that is less in the kingdom of heavens, is more than he.

29 And all the people hearing, and publicans, that had been baptized with the baptism of John, justified God; [And all the people hearing, and publicans, baptized with the baptism of John, justified God;]

30 but the Pharisees and the wise men of the law, that were not baptized of him [forsooth Pharisees and wise men of law, not baptized of him], despised the counsel of God against themselves.

31 And the Lord said, Therefore to whom shall I say men of this generation like, and to whom be they like?

32 They be like to children [They be like children] sitting in the market, and speaking together, and saying, We have sung to you with pipes, and ye have not danced; we have made mourning [we have made lamentation, or mourning], and ye have not wept.

33 For John Baptist came, neither eating bread, nor drinking wine, and ye say, He hath a fiend.

34 Man's Son came eating and drinking, and ye say, Lo! a man a devourer [Lo! a man (a) devourer, or glutton], and drinking wine, a friend of publicans and of sinful men.

35 And wisdom is justified of [all] her sons.

36 But one of the Pharisees prayed Jesus, that he should eat with him. And he entered into the house of the Pharisee, and sat at the meat.

37 And lo! a sinful woman, that was in the city, as she knew, that Jesus sat at meat in the house of the Pharisee, she brought an alabaster box of ointment; [And lo! a woman sinner, that was in the city, as she knew, that Jesus had sat at the meat in the house of the Pharisee, brought an alabaster box of ointment;]

38 and she stood behind beside his feet, and began to moist his feet with tears [and standing behind beside his feet, began to moist his feet with tears], and wiped [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed with ointment.

39 And the Pharisee seeing, that had called him, said within himself, saying, If this were a prophet, he should know, who and what manner woman it were that toucheth him, for she is a sinful woman. [Soothly the Pharisee seeing, that called him, saith within himself, saying, If this were a prophet, soothly he should know, who and what manner woman it is that toucheth him, for she is a sinner.]

40 And Jesus answered, and said to him, Simon, I have something to say to thee. And he said, Master, say thou. [And Jesus answering said to him, Simon, I have something to say to thee. And he saith, Master, say thou.]

41 And he answered, Two debtors were to one lender; and one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty; [And he answered, Two debtors were to some lender, or usurer; one owed five hundred pence, and an other fifty;]

42 but when they had not whereof to yield, he forgave [freely] to both. Who then loveth him more? [soothly them not having whereof they should yield, he forgave freely to both. Who of them therefore loveth him more?]

43 Simon answered, and said, I guess, that he to whom he forgave more. And he answered to him, Thou hast deemed rightly.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said to Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest no water to my feet; but this hath moisted my feet with tears [forsooth this woman hath moisted my feet with tears], and wiped with her hairs.

45 Thou hast not given to me a kiss; but this, since she entered, ceased not to kiss my feet.[b]

46 Thou anointedest not mine head with oil [Thou hast not anointed mine head with oil]; but this anointed my feet with ointment.

47 For which thing I say to thee, many sins be forgiven to her, for she hath loved much [for she loved much]; and to whom is less forgiven, he loveth less.

48 And Jesus said to her, Thy sins be forgiven to thee.

49 And they that sat together at the meat, began to say within themselves, Who is this that [also] forgiveth sins.

50 But he said to the woman, Thy faith hath made thee safe; go thou in peace.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:11 And it was done afterward Jesus went into a city, that is called Nain, and his disciples went with him, and a full great company of people.
  2. Luke 7:45 Thou hast not given to me a kiss; forsooth this woman, since I entered, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

He heals the centurion’s servant, raises up the widow’s son from death to life, and answers the disciples that John the Baptist sent to him. He commends John, and reproves the Jews for their unfaithfulness. He eats with the Pharisee. The woman washes his feet with her tears, and he forgives her her sins.

When Jesus had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant was sick and ready to die, whom he made much of. And when the centurion heard of Jesus, he sent to him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him to come and heal his servant. And they came to Jesus and besought him urgently, saying, He is worthy that you should do this for him, for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.

And Jesus went with them. And when he was 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 come under my roof. Therefore I did not think myself worthy to come to you. But speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I likewise am a man under authority, and have under me soldiers. 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.

When Jesus heard this, he marvelled at him, and turned about and said to the people that followed him, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And those who had been sent turned back home again, and found the servant that had been sick, whole.

11 And it happened after that, that he went into a town called Nain. And many of his disciples went with him, and crowds of people. 12 When he came near to the gate of the town, behold, there was a dead man being carried out. He had been the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a large group of townsfolk were with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, Weep not. 14 And he went and touched the bier, and those who were bearing it stood still. And he said, Young man, I say to you, arise! 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus delivered him to his mother.

16 And there came a fear upon them all. And they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is risen among us, and God has visited his people.

17 And this talk of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the regions that lie round about.

18 And the disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 19 And John called to him two of his disciples and sent them to Jesus, saying, Are you he that was to come, or should we look for another?

20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to you, saying, Are you he that was to come, or should we wait for another?

21 And at that same time, Jesus cured many people of their infirmities and diseases, and of evil spirits; and to many who were blind, he gave sight. 22 And Jesus answered and said to John’s disciples, Go your ways and tell John what things you have seen and heard – how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead arise. To the poor, the glad tidings are preached; 23 and happy is he who is not offended by me.

24 When the messengers of John had departed, Jesus began to speak to the people about John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? Did you go to see a reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who are gorgeously apparelled and live delicately are in kings’ courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger before your face, to prepare your way before you. 28 For I say to you, among the children of women there is no greater prophet than John. Nevertheless, one who is less in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.

29 And all the people who heard, and the publicans, justified God, and were baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and scribes rejected the counsel of God against themselves, and were not baptized by him.

31 And the Lord said, To what shall I liken the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say he has the devil. 34 The Son of man has come, and eats and drinks, and you say, Here is a man who is a glutton and a drinker of wine, a friend of publicans and sinners. 35 Yet wisdom is justified by her children.

36 And one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house and sat down to food. 37 And behold, a woman in that town who was a sinner, as soon as she knew that Jesus sat at food in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of oyntment. 38 And she stood at his feet behind him, weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with oyntment.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he spoke within himself, saying, If this man were a prophet, he would surely know who and what manner of woman this is that touches him; for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus responded and said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. And he said, Teacher, say on.

41 There was a certain lender who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them, tell me, will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose the one that was forgiven most.

And he said to him, You have truly judged.

44 And Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I entered into your house and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil you did not anoint, but she has anointed my feet with oyntment. 47 Therefore I say to you, many sins are forgiven her, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven less, loves less.

48 And he said to her, Your sins are forgiven you.

49 And those who sat at food with him began to say within themselves, Who is this, who forgives sins in this way?

50 And he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.

1 Of the Centurion’s servant. 9 The Centurion’s faith. 11 The widow’s son raised from death at Nain. 19 John sendeth his disciples to Christ. 33 His peculiar kind of living. 37 The sinful woman washeth Jesus’ feet.

When (A)[a]he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

And a certain Centurion’s servant was sick and ready to die, which was dear unto him.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the Elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come, and heal his servant.

So they came to Jesus, and besought him instantly, saying that he was worthy that he should do this for him:

For he loveth, said they, our nation, and he hath built us a Synagogue.

Then Jesus went with them: but when he was now not far from the house, the Centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

Wherefore I thought not myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word, and my servant shall be whole:

For I likewise am a man set under authority, and have under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth: and to another, Come, and he cometh: and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him, and said to the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel.

10 And when they that were sent, turned back to the house, they found the servant that was sick, whole.

11 [b]And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called [c]Nain, and many of his disciples went with him, and a great multitude.

12 Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, who was the only begotten son of his mother, which was a widow, and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he went and touched the coffin (and they that bare him, stood still) and he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead, sat up, and began to speak, and he delivered him to his mother.

16 Then there came a fear on them all, and they glorified God, saying, A great Prophet is risen among us, and God hath visited his people.

17 And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about.

18 [d]And the disciples of John showed him of all these things.

19 So John called unto him two certain men of his disciples, and sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come, or shall we wait for another?

20 And when the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come, or shall we wait for another?

21 And [e]at that time, he cured many of their sicknesses, and plagues, and of evil spirits, and unto many blind men he gave sight freely.

22 And Jesus answered, and said unto them, Go your ways and show John, what things ye have seen and heard, that the blind see, the halt go, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor receive the Gospel.

23 And blessed is he, that shall not be offended in me.

24 [f]And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people of John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

25 But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in Kings’ courts.

26 But what went ye forth to see? A Prophet? yea, I say to you, and greater than a Prophet.

27 This is he of whom it is written, (B)Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

28 For I say unto you, there is no greater Prophet than John, among them that are begotten of women: nevertheless, he that is the least in the kingdom of God, is greater than he.

29 Then all the people that heard, and the Publicans [g]justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

30 But the Pharisees and the expounders of the Law despised the counsel of God [h]against themselves, and were not baptized of him.

31 (C)[i]And the Lord said, Whereunto shall I liken the men of this generation? and what thing are they like unto?

32 They are like unto little children sitting in the marketplace, and crying one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced: we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

33 For John Baptist came neither eating bread, nor drinking wine: and ye say, He hath the devil.

34 The Son of man is come, and eateth, and drinketh: and ye say, Behold, a man which is a glutton, and a drinker of wine, a friend of Publicans and sinners:

35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

36 [j]And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him: and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down at table.

37 And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought a box of ointment.

38 (D)And she stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 [k]Now when the Pharisee which bade him, saw it, he spake within himself, saying, If this man were a Prophet, he would surely have known who, and what manner of woman this is which toucheth him: [l]for she is a sinner.

40 [m]And Jesus answered, and said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he said, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain lender which had two debtors: the one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty:

42 When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both: Which of them therefore, tell me, will love him most?

43 Simon answered, and said, I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast truly judged.

44 Then he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, and thou gavest me no water to my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, many sins are forgiven her: [n]for she loved much. To whom a little is forgiven, he doth love a little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven thee.

49 And they that sat at table with him, began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee: [o]go in peace.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 7:1 Christ admonisheth the Jews, by setting before them the example of the Centurion, that for their obstinacy and rebellion, he will go to the Gentiles.
  2. Luke 7:11 Christ avoucheth openly his power over death.
  3. Luke 7:11 Nain is the name of a town in Galilee, which was situated on the other side of Kishon, which falleth into the sea of Galilee.
  4. Luke 7:18 John sendeth from the prison his unbelieving disciples, to Christ himself, to be confirmed.
  5. Luke 7:21 When John’s disciples came to Christ.
  6. Luke 7:24 That which the Prophets showed long before, John showeth at hand: and Christ himself doth present it daily unto us, in the Gospel, but for the most part in vain, for that many seek nothing else, but foolish toys and vain glory.
  7. Luke 7:29 Said that he was just, good, faithful, and merciful.
  8. Luke 7:30 To their own hurt.
  9. Luke 7:31 What way soever God followeth in offering us the Gospel, the most part of men procure offences unto themselves: yet notwithstanding some Church is gathered together.
  10. Luke 7:36 Proud men deprive themselves of the benefits of the presence of Christ, even then when he is at home with them in their houses; which the humble and base do enjoy.
  11. Luke 7:39 Rashness is the fellow of pride.
  12. Luke 7:39 The Pharisee respecteth the Law, which holdeth them defiled, that touch the defiled.
  13. Luke 7:40 To love Christ, is a sure and perpetual witness of remission of sins.
  14. Luke 7:47 That is, saith Theophylact, she hath showeth her faith abundantly: and Basil in his sermon of Baptism saith, He that oweth much, hath much forgiven him, that he may love much more: And therefore Christ’s saying is so plain by the similitude , that it is a wonder to see the enemies of the truth draw and rack this place so soundly to establish their meritorious works: for the greater sum a man hath forgiven him, the more he loveth him that hath been so gracious to him: And this woman showeth by duties of love, how great the benefit was she had received: and therefore the charity that is here spoken of, is not to be taken for the cause, but as a sign: for Christ saith not as the Pharisees did, that she was a sinner, but beareth her witness that the sins of her life past are forgiven her.
  15. Luke 7:50 He confirmeth the benefit which he had bestowed with a blessing.

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: for he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 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. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about.

18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. 23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now 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. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

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).