The Centurion's Great Faith

(Matthew 8:5-13; John 4:43-54)

1After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2A certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and at the point of death. 3When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to do this for him, 5for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us." 6Jesus went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 7Therefore I didn't even think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this 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 turned and said to the multitude who followed him, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel." 10Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was well.

Jesus Raises a Widow's Son

11It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. 12Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, "Don't cry." 14He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" 15He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited his people!" 17This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.

John's Inquiry

(Matthew 11:1-6)

18The disciples of John told him about all these things. 19John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?" 20When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, 'Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?'" 21In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. 22Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 23Blessed is he who is not offended by me."

Jesus Testifies about John

(Matthew 11:7-19; Luke 1:5-25; Luke 16:14-17)

24When John's messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. 26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

27This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'

28"For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he." 29When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John's baptism. 30But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.

31"To what then will I liken the people of this generation? What are they like? 32They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We piped to you, and you didn't dance. We mourned, and you didn't weep.' 33For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking 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!' 35Wisdom is justified by all her children."

A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus

36One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee's house, and sat at the table. 37Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner."

The Parable of the Two Debtors

40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Teacher, say on." 41"A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?" 43Simon answered, "He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most." He said to him, "You have judged correctly." 44Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she 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." 48He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."