A Place of Holy Mystery

1-5 When he finished speaking to the people, he entered Capernaum. A Roman captain there had a servant who was on his deathbed. He prized him highly and didn’t want to lose him. When he heard Jesus was back, he sent leaders from the Jewish community asking him to come and heal his servant. They came to Jesus and urged him to do it, saying, “He deserves this. He loves our people. He even built our meeting place.”

6-8 Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, “Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house, even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well. I’m a man under orders; I also give orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9-10 Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying crowd: “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works.” When the messengers got back home, they found the servant up and well.

11-15 Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.

16-17 They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country.

Is This What You Were Expecting?

18-19 John’s disciples reported back to him the news of all these events taking place. He sent two of them to the Master to ask the question, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?”

20 The men showed up before Jesus and said, “John the Baptizer sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?’”

21-23 In the next two or three hours Jesus healed many from diseases, distress, and evil spirits. To many of the blind he gave the gift of sight. Then he gave his answer: “Go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard:

The blind see,
The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed,
The deaf hear,
The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth
    have God’s salvation hospitality extended to them.

“Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves fortunate!”

24-27 After John’s messengers left to make their report, Jesus said more about John to the crowd of people. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A messenger from God? That’s right, a messenger! Probably the greatest messenger you’ll ever hear. He is the messenger Malachi announced when he wrote,

I’m sending my messenger on ahead
To make the road smooth for you.

28-30 “Let me lay it out for you as plainly as I can: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer, but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him. The ordinary and disreputable people who heard John, by being baptized by him into the kingdom, are the clearest evidence; the Pharisees and religious officials would have nothing to do with such a baptism, wouldn’t think of giving up their place in line to their inferiors.

31-35 “How can I account for the people of this generation? They’re like spoiled children complaining to their parents, ‘We wanted to skip rope and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk but you were always too busy.’ John the Baptizer came fasting and you called him crazy. The Son of Man came feasting and you called him a boozer. Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

Anointing His Feet

36-39 One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him.”

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

“Oh? Tell me.”

41-42 “Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?”

43-47 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”

“That’s right,” said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”

48 Then he spoke to her: “I forgive your sins.”

49 That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: “Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!”

50 He ignored them and 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.

治好百夫長的僕人(A)

耶穌向群眾講完這一切話,就進了迦百農。 有百夫長所重用的一個奴僕,病得快要死了。 百夫長聽見耶穌的事,就打發猶太人中幾個長老到他那裡,求他去醫治他的奴僕。 長老們就來見耶穌,懇切地求他說:“你給他行這事,是他配得的, 因為他愛我們的人民,給我們建造會堂。” 耶穌就和他們同去。離那家不遠的時候,百夫長派幾個朋友來說:“主啊,不必勞駕,因為你到舍下來,我實在不敢當, 我也覺得沒有資格去見你;只要你說一句話,我的僕人就必好了。 因為我自己是在別人的權下,也有兵在我以下;我對這個說:‘去!’他就去;對另一個說:‘來!’他就來;對我的僕人說:‘作這個!’他就作。” 耶穌聽見這些話,就很驚奇,轉身對跟隨的眾人說:“我告訴你們,這樣的信心,我在以色列中從來沒有見過。” 10 奉派的人回到家裡,見那奴僕已經好了。

使拿因城寡婦的兒子復活

11 後來耶穌往拿因城去,與他同去的有門徒和一大群人。 12 他走近城門的時候,有人把一個死人抬出來,是個獨生子,他母親又是個寡婦。城裡有一大群人陪著她。 13 主看見了,就憐憫她,對她說:“不要哭!” 14 於是上前按著槓子,抬的人就站住。他說:“青年人,我吩咐你起來!” 15 那死人就坐起來,開口說話,耶穌就把他交給他母親。 16 眾人都驚懼,頌讚 神說:“有偉大的先知在我們中間興起來了!”又說:“ 神眷顧他的子民了!” 17 於是這話傳遍了猶太和周圍各地。

約翰派門徒去見耶穌(B)

18 約翰的門徒把這一切事告訴約翰。他就叫了兩個門徒, 19 差他們往主那裡去,說:“你就是那位要來的,還是我們要等別人呢?” 20 兩人來到耶穌跟前,說:“施洗的約翰差我們來問你:‘你就是那位要來的,還是我們要等別人呢?’” 21 就在那時候,耶穌治好許多患疾病的、遭災難的、身上有污鬼附著的,並且施恩給瞎眼的,使他們看見。 22 耶穌回答他們:“你們回去,把看見和聽見的都告訴約翰,就是瞎的可以看見,跛的可以走路,患痲風的得到潔淨,聾的可以聽見,死人復活,窮人有福音聽。 23 那不被我絆倒的,就有福了。”

耶穌論約翰(C)

24 約翰差來的人走了以後,耶穌對群眾講起約翰來,說:“你們到曠野去,是要看甚麼?被風吹動的蘆葦嗎? 25 你們出去到底要看甚麼?身穿華麗衣服的人嗎?這些衣服華麗,生活奢侈的人,是在王宮裡的。 26 那麼,你們出去要看甚麼?先知嗎?我告訴你們,是的。他比先知重要得多了。 27 聖經所記:

‘看哪,我差遣我的使者在你面前,

他必在你前頭預備你的道路’,

這句話是指著他說的。 28 我告訴你們,婦人所生的,沒有一個比約翰更大,然而在 神的國裡最小的比他還大。” 29 眾人和稅吏受過約翰的洗禮,聽見這話,就稱 神為義。 30 但法利賽人和律法師,未受過約翰的洗禮,就拒絕 神對他們的美意。 31 耶穌又說:“我要把這世代的人比作甚麼呢?他們好像甚麼呢? 32 他們好像小孩子坐在巿中心,彼此呼叫,說:

‘我們給你們吹笛子,你們卻不跳舞;

我們唱哀歌,你們也不啼哭。’

33 因為施洗的約翰來了,不吃飯,不喝酒,你們說他是鬼附的。 34 人子來了,又吃又喝,你們說:‘你看,這人貪食好酒,與稅吏和罪人為友。’ 35 但 神的智慧,藉著他的兒女就證實是公義的了。”

赦免犯了罪的女人(參(D)

36 有一個法利賽人,請耶穌同他吃飯,他就到法利賽人家去赴席。 37 那城裡有一個女人,是個罪人,知道他在法利賽人家裡吃飯,就拿著一瓶香膏, 38 站在耶穌背後,挨近他的腳哭,眼淚滴濕他的腳,又用自己的頭髮擦乾,不住地吻他的腳,並且抹上香膏。 39 請他的法利賽人看見了,心裡說:“這人若是先知,必定知道摸他的是誰,是怎樣的女人,因為她是個罪人!” 40 耶穌對他說:“西門,我有句話要對你說。”他說:“老師,請說。” 41 耶穌說:“一個債主有兩個債戶,一個欠五百銀幣,一個欠五十。 42 他們都無力償還,債主就把兩人豁免了。他們之中哪一個更愛他呢?” 43 西門回答:“我想是那個多得恩免的。”耶穌說:“你判斷對了。” 44 於是轉身向著那女人,對西門說:“你看見這女人嗎?我進了你的家,你沒有給我水洗腳,但這女人用眼淚濕了我的腳,用頭髮擦乾。 45 你沒有和我親吻;但這女人,自從我進來,就不住地親我的腳。 46 你沒有用油抹我的頭;但這女人用香膏抹我的腳。 47 所以我告訴你,她許多罪都蒙赦免了,因為她的愛多;那赦免少的,愛就少。” 48 耶穌就對她說:“你的罪赦免了。” 49 跟他一起吃飯的人心裡說:“這是誰,竟然赦罪呢?” 50 耶穌對那女人說:“你的信救了你,平安地去吧!”

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).