Luke 7

The Faith of a Centurion

1After Jesus had finished all his words in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2A centurion had a slave who was sick and near death, and the slave was highly valued by him. 3When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent Jewish elders to ask him to come and save his slave. 4They came to Jesus and urged him earnestly, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, 5because he loves our nation and built our synagogue for us.” 6Jesus went with them. But when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, because I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 7That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I too am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9When Jesus heard these things, he was amazed at him. Turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12As he approached the town gate, look—a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. A considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, he was moved with compassion and said, “Do not weep.” 14He came near and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up.” 15The dead man sat up and began speaking, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. 16Fear seized everyone, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us,” and, “God has visited his people.” 17This report about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding region.

John’s Messengers

18John’s disciples reported all these things to him. Calling two of his disciples, 19John sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?” 20The men came to Jesus and said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?’” 21In that hour Jesus healed many people of diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and he gave sight to many who were blind. 22Then he answered them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: blind people receive sight, those with impaired legs walk, people with skin diseases are cleansed, deaf people hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told good news. 23Blessed is anyone who does not stumble because of me.”

Jesus Speaks About John

24After John’s messengers left, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Look, those in splendid clothing and luxury are in royal palaces. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’ 28I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John. Yet the least in God’s kingdom is greater than he.” 29When all the people heard this, including the tax collectors, they acknowledged God as right, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30But the Pharisees and experts in the Law rejected God’s purpose for themselves because they had not been baptized by John.

This Generation

31“To what then can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another:
‘We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a funeral song,
and you did not weep.’ 33For John the Baptist came eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35Yet wisdom is shown to be right by all her children.”

A Woman Anoints Jesus

36One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. Jesus entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37Look—a woman in the town who was known as a sinner learned that Jesus was reclining in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume. 38Standing behind him at his feet and weeping, she began wetting his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the perfume. 39When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman is touching him—that she is a sinner.” 40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied, “Teacher, say it.” 41“A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty. 42When they could not repay, he freely forgave both of them. Which of them, then, will love him more?” 43Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.” Jesus said, “You have judged correctly.” 44Turning toward the woman, Jesus said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, and 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 from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—that is why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little loves little.” 48Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49Those reclining at the table with him began saying among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”