The Faith of the Centurion
(Matthew 8:5–13; John 4:43–54)

1When Jesus had concluded His discourse {rhēmata} in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum (village of comfort). 2There a highly valued servant {doulos} of a centurion (commander of a hundred) was sick and about to die. 3When the centurion heard about Jesus (YHWH saves), he sent some Jewish elders to ask Him to come and heal his servant {doulon}. 4They came to Jesus (YHWH saves) and pleaded with Him earnestly, “This man is worthy to have You grant this, 5for he loves {agapa} our nation {ethnos} and has built our synagogue.”

6So Jesus (YHWH saves) went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion (commander of a hundred) sent friends with the message: “Lord {Kyrie}, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. 7That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to You. But 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 to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant {doulō} to do something, and he does it.”

9When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the centurion. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you⁺, not even in Israel (He wrestles with God) have I found such great faith.” 10And when the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant {doulon} in good health.

Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son

11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples (pupils) went with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. 12As He approached the town gate, He saw a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

13When the Lord {Kyrios} saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” 14Then He went up and touched the coffin \bier/,a and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” 15And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16A sense of awe swept over all of them, and they glorified God {Theon}. “A great prophet has appeared among us!” they said. “God {Theos} has visited His people!” 17And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea (land of praise) and all the surrounding region.

John’s Inquiry
(Matthew 11:1–6)

18Then John’s disciples (pupils) informed him about all these things. 19So John (YHWH is gracious) called two of his disciples (pupils) and sent them to ask the Lord {Kyrion}, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

20When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John (YHWH is gracious) the Baptist sent us to ask, ‘Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?’”

21At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits {pneumatōn}, and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22So He replied, “Go back and report to John (YHWH is gracious) what you⁺ have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers <Lev 13>b are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 23Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me (who is not offended by Me).c”

Jesus Testifies about John
(Malachi 3:1–5; Matthew 11:7–19)

24After John’s (YHWH is gracious) messengers (angels) had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you⁺ go out into the wilderness (solitary place) to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25Otherwise, what did you⁺ go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look (Behold), those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in 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:

‘Behold, I will send My messenger (angel) ahead of You,

who will prepare Your way before You <Mal 3:1>.’d

28I tell you⁺, among those born of women there is no one greater than John (YHWH is gracious), yet even the least in the kingdom of God {Theou} is greater than he.”

29All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism (submersion) of John (YHWH is gracious). 30But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s {Theou} purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized (submerged) by John.

31“To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation? What are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace (town square) and calling out to one another:

‘We played the flute for you⁺,

and you⁺ did not dance;

we sang a dirge,

and you⁺ did not weep.’

33For John (YHWH is gracious) the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you⁺ say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you⁺ say, ‘Look (Behold) at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35But wisdom is vindicated (rendered innocent) by all her children.”

A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus
(Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; John 12:1–8)

36Then one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. 38As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she 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 this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”

40But Jesus (YHWH saves) answered him, “Simon (hearing), I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, Teacher {Didaskale},” he said.

41“Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii (days’ wages),e and the other fifty. 42When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love {agapēsei} him more?”

43“I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon (hearing) replied.

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon (hearing), “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived. 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, for she has loved {ēgapēsen} much. But he who has been forgiven little loves {agapa} little.”

48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49But those at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”