1After Jesus finished speaking to the people, he went into Capernaum.
2A certain Roman officer had a servant whom he valued greatly, and this servant was sick and dying.
3When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.
4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He deserves your help,
5because he loves our nation and he built our synagogue for us.”
6Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the officer sent friends to him, saying, “Lord, please don't trouble yourself, because I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.
7That’s why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to you. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at the officer. He turned and said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, I haven't found such great faith, not even in Israel.”
10When the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant who had been sick was well.
11Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and many of his followers and a large crowd went with him.
12As he approached the town gate, a dead man was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was with her.
13When the Lord saw her, he felt deep compassion for her and said, “Don't cry.”
14Then he went up and touched the open coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”
15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16Fear gripped everyone, and they praised God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and “God has come to help his people!”
17This news about Jesus spread throughout all Judea and the surrounding region.
18John’s followers told him about everything that was happening.
19John called two of his followers and sent them to Jesus with this question: “Are you the one we’re expecting, or should we look for someone else?”
20When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one we’re expecting, or should we look for someone else?’”
21At that time, Jesus healed many people who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits. He also gave sight to many who were blind.
22Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind can see, the lame can walk, those with leprosy are made clean, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the poor hear the good news.
23Blessed is anyone who does not lose faith in me.”
24After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed waving in the wind?
25What did you go out to see then? A man dressed in expensive clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces.
26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, he is more than a prophet.
27This is the one it is written about: ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
28I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet, the least important person in God’s Kingdom is greater than he is.”
29When all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.
30But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s plan for them, since they had not been baptized by John.
31“To what can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: ‘We played music for you, and you didn’t dance; we sang a sad song, and you didn’t cry.’
33For John the Baptist came not eating bread or drinking 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!’
35But wisdom is proven right by all her children.”
36One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the table.
37Then, a woman in that town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume.
38Standing behind Jesus at his feet, she was weeping and began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she dried them with her hair, kissed his feet, and poured expensiveperfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he thought to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.'
40Jesus responded to him, 'Simon, I have something to tell you.' Simon said, 'Teacher, feel free to speak.'
41'A certain lender had two people who owed him money. One owed him 500 silver coins, and the other owed 50.
42When they couldn't pay him back, he canceled the debt for both of them. So, which of them will love him more?'
43Simon answered, 'I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.' Jesus said to him, 'You have judged correctly.'
44Then, turning to the woman, he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house, and you didn't give me any water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
45You didn't give me a kiss, but this woman, from the moment I came in, has not stopped kissing my feet.
46You didn't put oil on my head, but she has poured expensive perfume on my feet.
47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins are forgiven, because she showed great love. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.'
48Then Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'
49Those who were sitting at the table with him began to say to themselves, 'Who is this man who even forgives sins?'
50Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.'