A Centurion’s Faith
1When He had concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. Mt 8:5-13
2A centurion’s slave, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die.
3When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of his slave.
4When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this,
5because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.” Ac 10:22
6Jesus went with them, and when He was not far from Lit and He already was not far from 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.
7That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured. Other mss read and let my servant be cured Ps 107:20; Mt 8:16
8For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. Lit under me 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.”
9Jesus 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! ”
10When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.
A Widow’s Son Raised to Life
11Soon afterward He was on His way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him.
12Just 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. Jdg 11:34; Lk 8:42; 9:38; Heb 11:17 A large crowd from the city was also with her.
14Then He came up and touched the open coffin, Or the bier and the pallbearers stopped. And He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up! ” Mt 11:5; Mk 5:41; Lk 7:22; 8:54; Jn 11:43; Ac 9:40
15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 1Kg 17:23; 2Kg 4:36
16Then fear Or awe came over everyone, Lk 5:26 and they glorified God, Mt 5:16; Lk 2:20; 13:13; 23:47; Ac 4:21; 11:18 saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,” Dt 18:15; Mt 21:11; Lk 7:39; Jn 7:40 and “God has visited Or come to help His people.” Lk 1:68
17This report about Him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.
In Praise of John the Baptist
18Then John’s disciples told him about all these things. Mt 11:2-19 So John summoned two of his disciples
19and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are You the One Jn 4:25; 6:14; 11:27; Rm 5:14; Heb 10:37 who is to come, or should we look for someone else? ”
20When 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? ’ ”
21At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases, Mt 4:23 plagues, and evil spirits, Mk 1:34 and He granted sight to many blind people. Mt 9:30; 12:22; Mk 8:25; Lk 18:42; Jn 9:7
22He 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, Lit cleansed the deaf hear, Is 29:18; 35:5-6 the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news. Is 61:1; Lk 4:18
23And anyone who is not offended because of Me is blessed.”
24After 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?
25What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? Look, those who are splendidly dressed Or who have glorious robes and live in luxury are in royal palaces.
26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Mt 14:5; Lk 1:76; 20:6 Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.
27This is the one it is written about:
Look, I am sending My messenger
ahead of You; Lit messenger before Your face
he will prepare Your way before You. Mal 3:1; Mt 11:10; Mk 1:2; Lk 1:17 Mal 3:1
28I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, Other mss read women is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist 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, Lit they justified God because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. Mt 21:32; Lk 3:12; Ac 18:25; 19:3
30But since the Pharisees and experts in the law Mt 22:35; Lk 10:25; 11:45-46,52; 14:3 had not been baptized by him, they rejected the plan of God for themselves. Mt 21:25,32; 23:13; Mk 7:9)
An Unresponsive Generation
31“To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?
32They 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!
33For John the Baptist did not come eating bread or drinking wine, Lk 1:15 and you say, ‘He has a demon! ’
34The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! ’ Mt 9:10-11; Lk 15:2; 19:7
Much Forgiveness, Much Love
36Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. Lk 11:37; 14:1
37And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. Mt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9; Jn 12:1-8 She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil
38and 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. Jn 11:2
39When 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! ” Lk 7:16; Jn 4:19
40Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Teacher,” he said, “say it.”
42Since they could not pay it back, Mt 18:25 he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more? ”
43Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.”
“You have judged correctly,” He told him.
44Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, Gn 18:4; 19:2; 43:24; Jdg 19:21; 1Tm 5:10 but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair.
45You gave Me no kiss, 2Sm 15:5; 19:39; 20:9 but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in.
46You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil, 2Sm 12:20; Ps 23:5; Ec 9:8; Dn 10:3 but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.
47Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why Her love shows that she has been forgiven she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”
49Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins? ” Lk 5:21
50And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Mt 9:22; Mk 10:52; Lk 17:19; 18:42 Go in peace.” 1Sm 1:17; Mk 5:34; Lk 8:48
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by Holman Bible Publishers
