1 When Jesus had finished all he had to say to the people, he entered Capernaum.
2 A centurion in the Roman army had a slave whom he valued, and who was seriously ill – almost at the point of death. 3 And, hearing about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, with the request that he would come and save his slave’s life. 4 When they found Jesus, they earnestly implored him to help. ‘He deserves this favour from you.’ they said, 5 ‘He is devoted to our people, and even built our synagogue for us.’ 6 So Jesus went with them. But, when he was no great distance from the house, the centurion sent some friends with the message – ‘Do not trouble yourself, Sir; for I am unworthy to receive you under my roof. 7 That was why I did not even venture to come to you myself; but speak, and let my manservant be cured. 8 For I myself am a man under the orders of others, with soldiers under me; and if I say to one of them “Go,” he goes, and to another “Come,” he comes, and to my slave “Do this,” he does it.’ 9 Jesus was surprised to hear these words from him; and, turning to the crowd which was following him, he said, ‘I tell you, nowhere in Israel have I met with such faith as this!’ 10 And, when the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave recovered.
11 Shortly after, Jesus went to a town called Nain, his disciples and a great crowd going with him. 12 Just as he approached the gate of the town, there was a dead man being carried out for burial – an only son, and his mother was a widow. A large number of the people of the town were with her. 13 When he saw her, the Master was moved with compassion for her, and he said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ 14 Then he went up and touched the bier, and the bearers stopped; and Jesus said, ‘Young man, I am speaking to you – Rise!’ 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus restored him to his mother. 16 Everyone was awe-struck and began praising God. ‘A great prophet has arisen among us,’ they said. ‘God has visited his people.’
17 And this story about Jesus spread all through Judea, and in the neighbouring countries as well.
20 When these men found Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask – Are you “the coming one,” or are we to look for somebody else?’ 21 At that very time Jesus had cured many people of diseases, afflictions, and wicked spirits, and had given many blind people their sight. 22 So his answer to the question was, ‘Go and report to John what you have witnessed and heard – the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the good news is told to the poor. 23 And blessed is the person who finds no hindrance in me.’
24 When John’s messengers had left, Jesus, speaking to the crowds, began to say with reference to John, 25 ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed waving in the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in rich clothing? Why, those who are accustomed to fine clothes and luxury live in royal palaces. 26 What then did you go to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. 27 This is the man of whom scripture says –
29 (All the people, when they heard this, and even the tax collectors, having accepted John’s baptism, acknowledged the justice of God. 30 But the Pharisees and the students of the Law, having rejected John’s baptism, frustrated God’s purpose in regard to them.)
31 ‘To what then,’ Jesus continued, ‘should I compare the people of the present generation? What are they like? 32 They are like some little children who are sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another – “We have played the flute for you, but you have not danced; We have wailed, but you have not wept!” 33 For now that John the Baptist has come, not eating bread or drinking wine, you are saying “He has a demon in him”; 34 and now that the Son of Man has come, eating and drinking, you are saying “Here is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and outcasts.” 35 And yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.’
39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, ‘Had this man been “the prophet,” he would have known who, and what sort of woman, this is who is touching him, and that she is an outcast.’ 40 But, addressing him, Jesus said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’
43 ‘I suppose,’ answered Simon, ‘it will be the man to whom he forgave the greater debt.’