1Now when Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, He returned to Capernaum. 2And a certain Roman centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and near death. 3And when the centurion heard of Jesus, he sent some of the elders of the Jews to Him, asking Him to come and heal his servant. 4And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with Him, saying that this centurion was worthy to have this done for him; 5Because he loves our nation, and he has built their synagogue for them. 6So then Jesus went with them. And when He got near the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, to tell Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself; for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof; 7That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to You. But just say the word, and my servant shall be healed. 8For I also am a man with authority, having 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.” 9When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turning to the people that followed Him, He said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not even in Israel.” 10And when the friends that were sent returned to the house, they found the servant that had been sick to be completely well. 11And the next day He went into a town called Nain; accompanied by many of His disciples, and many other people. 12And as He came near to the gate of the city, there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his widowed mother, and many people from the city were with her. 13And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14And then He went up and touched the bier that they were carrying him on; and the pall bearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, ‘Arise.’” 15And he that had been dead sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16And they were all awe-struck and praised God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us”; and, “God has visited His people today.” 17And this news of Him spread throughout all Judaea, and the surrounding region. 18And the disciples of John the Baptist told John about all these things. 19And John sent two of his disciples to Jesus to ask, “Are You He that should come? Or should we be looking for another?” 20When the men had come to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You He that should come? Or look should we be looking for another?’” 21And in that same hour Jesus had cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and restored the sight of many that were blind. 22Then Jesus said to them, “Go back, and tell John what you have seen and heard - how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. 23And blessed is anyone who is not offended by Me.” 24And when the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Behold, those who are wear expensive apparel and live in luxury, are in kings' courts. 26But what, then, did you go out there to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, much more than a prophet. 27This is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who shall prepare Your way before You.’ (Mal.3:1) 28For I tell you, among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; and yet he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29And all those that heard Him, even the tax collectors, acknowledge that God’s way was right and just, having been baptized by John. 30But the Pharisees and law experts rejected the counsel and purpose of God for themselves, because they had refused to be baptized by him (John the Baptist). 31And the Lord said, “To what can 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 have played the pipe for you, and you have not danced; we have sung a dirge, and you have not wept.’ 33For John the Baptist came, not indulging in eating, nor drinking wine; and you say, ‘He has a demon’. 34The Son of man came eating and drinking; and you say, ‘Behold a glutton, a winebibber, and a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35But wisdom is vindicated by those that lead lives governed by it.” 36And when one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, He went to the Pharisee's house, and reclined at the table to eat. 37And a woman, who was known in that city as an immoral sinner, when she learned that Jesus was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box (jar) of expensive ointment, 38And knelt behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, wipe them with the hair of her head, kiss His feet, and anoint them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he thought to himself, “This Man, if He were truly a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that is touching Him; for she is a sinner.” 40And Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” And he said, “Master, say on.” 41“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors: one owed five hundred pence; the other fifty. 42And when neither had the money to repay, he frankly forgave both their debts. Tell me, which of them will be most grateful?” 43Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” And Jesus replied, “You have rightly judged.” 44And then He turned toward the woman, and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house; and you gave Me no water for My feet; but she has washed My feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45You gave Me no kiss; but this woman, from the time I came in, has not stopped kissing My feet. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil; but this woman has anointed My feet with ointment. 47Therefore, I tell you, ‘Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much’. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 48And then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49And the other guests that were eating with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is This that even forgives sins?” 50And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |