The Centurion’s Faith

1When He had completed all His words in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.

2And a centurion’s slave, [†]who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. 3Now when he heard about Jesus, he sent some [†]Jewish elders asking Him to come and [†]save the life of his slave. 4And when they came to Jesus, they were earnestly pleading with Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him; 5for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” 6Now Jesus was going on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “[†]Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not good enough for You to come under my roof. 7For this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just [†]say the word, and my [†]servant will be healed. 8For 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.” 9Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him. And He turned to the crowd that was following Him and said, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” 10And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

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

Questions from John the Baptist

18And the disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 19Summoning [†]two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?” 20When 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?’” 21At that [†]very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits, and He granted sight to many who were blind. 22And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 23Blessed is he [†]who does not take offense at Me.”

24And 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[†]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! 26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and even more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written,

‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER [†]AHEAD OF YOU,

WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’

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

31“To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32They 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.’ 33For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a [†]drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and [†]sinners!’ 35Yet wisdom is vindicated [†]by all her children.”

36Now one of the Pharisees was asking Him to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a [†]sinner. And when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. 38And 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. 39Now when the Pharisee, who had invited Him, saw this, he said to himself, saying, “If this man were 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

40And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he [†]replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41“A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred [†]denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he graciously forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47For 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.” 48Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49And those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say [†]to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”