Luke 7-9
Christian Standard Bible
A Centurion’s Faith
7 When he had concluded saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum.(A) 2 A centurion’s servant, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, requesting him to come and save the life of his servant. 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to grant this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.”(B)
6 Jesus went with them, and when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.[a](C) 8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant in good health.
A Widow’s Son Raised to Life
11 Afterward he was on his way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. 12 Just as he neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow.(D) A large crowd from the town was also with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her(E) and said, “Don’t weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”(F)
15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.(G) 16 Then fear[b] came over everyone,(H) and they glorified God,(I) saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,”(J) and “God has visited[c] his people.”(K) 17 This report about him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.
In Praise of John the Baptist
18 Then John’s disciples told him about all these things.(L) So John summoned two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are you the one(M) who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
20 When the men reached him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
21 At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases,(N) afflictions, and evil spirits,(O) and he granted sight to many blind people.(P) 22 He replied to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy[d] are cleansed, the deaf hear,(Q) the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news,(R) 23 and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”
24 After John’s messengers left, he began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?(S) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:
28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John,[f] but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.(U) 30 But since the Pharisees and experts in the law(V) had not been baptized by him, they rejected the plan of God for themselves.(W))
An Unresponsive Generation
31 “To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to each other:
We played the flute for you,
but you didn’t dance;
we sang a lament,
but you didn’t weep!
33 For John the Baptist did not come eating bread or drinking wine,(X) and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’(Y) 35 Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
Much Forgiveness, Much Love
36 Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.(Z) 37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house.(AA) She brought an alabaster jar of perfume 38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume.(AB)
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—she’s a sinner!” (AC)
40 Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
He said, “Say it, teacher.”
41 “A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii,[g](AD) and the other fifty. 42 Since they could not pay it back,(AE) he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.”
“You have judged correctly,” he told him. 44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet,(AF) but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss,(AG) but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. 46 You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil,(AH) but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”(AI)
49 Those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” (AJ)
50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you.(AK) Go in peace.”(AL)
Many Women Support Christ’s Work
8 Afterward he was traveling from one town and village to another,(AM) preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God.(AN) The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses:(AO) Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out(AP) of her); 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.
The Parable of the Sower
4 As a large crowd was gathering, and people were coming to Jesus from every town, he said in a parable,(AQ) 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6 Other seed fell on the rock; when it grew up, it withered away, since it lacked moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 Still other seed fell on good ground; when it grew up, it produced fruit: a hundred times what was sown.”(AR) As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”(AS)
Why Jesus Used Parables
9 Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” (AT) 10 So he said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you(AU) to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that
The Parable of the Sower Explained
11 “This is the meaning of the parable:(AW) The seed is the word of God.(AX) 12 The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and fall away in a time of testing.(AY) 14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life,(AZ) and produce no mature fruit. 15 But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring,(BA) produce fruit.
Using Your Light
16 “No one, after lighting a lamp,(BB) covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light.(BC) 17 For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and brought to light.(BD) 18 Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; (BE) and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
True Relationships
19 Then his mother and brothers(BF) came to him,(BG) but they could not meet with him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
21 But he replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.”(BH)
Wind and Waves Obey Jesus
22 One day he and his disciples got into a boat,(BI) and he told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.”(BJ) So they set out, 23 and as they were sailing he fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. 24 They came and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!”
Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm.(BK) 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who then is this?(BL) He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him!”
Demons Driven Out by Jesus
26 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[i](BM) which is opposite Galilee. 27 When he got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out,(BN) fell down before him, and said in a loud voice, “What do you have to do with me,(BO) Jesus, Son of the Most High God?(BP) I beg you, don’t torment me!” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.
30 “What is your name?” Jesus asked him.
“Legion,”(BQ) he said, because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to banish them to the abyss.(BR)
32 A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged him to permit them to enter the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
34 When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’s feet,(BS) dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered.(BT) 37 Then all the people of the Gerasene region[j] asked him to leave them,(BU) because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, he returned.
38 The man from whom the demons had departed begged him earnestly to be with him. But he sent him away and said, 39 “Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town how much Jesus had done for him.
A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed
40 When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him,(BV) for they were all expecting him.(BW) 41 Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue.(BX) He fell down at Jesus’s feet and pleaded with him to come to his house, 42 because he had an only daughter(BY) about twelve years old, and she was dying.
While he was going, the crowds were nearly crushing him.(BZ) 43 A woman suffering from bleeding(CA) for twelve years,(CB) who had spent all she had on doctors[k] and yet could not be healed by any, 44 approached from behind and touched the end of his robe.(CC) Instantly her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter[l] said, “Master,(CD) the crowds are hemming you in and pressing against you.”[m]
46 “Someone did touch me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from me.”(CE) 47 When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched him and how she was instantly healed. 48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has saved you.[n] Go in peace.”(CF)
49 While he was still speaking,(CG) someone came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother(CH) the teacher(CI) anymore.”
50 When Jesus heard it, he answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be saved.”[o] 51 After he came to the house, he let no one enter with him except Peter, John, James,(CJ) and the child’s father and mother. 52 Everyone was crying(CK) and mourning for her.(CL) But he said, “Stop crying, because she is not dead but asleep.”(CM)
53 They laughed at him, because they knew she was dead. 54 So he[p] took her by the hand(CN) and called out, “Child, get up!”(CO) 55 Her spirit returned,(CP) and she got up at once. Then he gave orders that she be given something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded, but he instructed them to tell no one what had happened.(CQ)
Commissioning the Twelve
9 Summoning the Twelve,(CR) he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.(CS) 2 Then he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.(CT)
3 “Take nothing for the road,”(CU) he told them, “no staff,(CV) no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. 5 If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”(CW) 6 So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.
Herod’s Desire to See Jesus
7 Herod the tetrarch(CX) heard about everything that was going on.(CY) He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead, 8 some that Elijah had appeared,(CZ) and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.(DA) 9 “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see him.(DB)
Feeding of the Five Thousand
10 When the apostles returned,(DC) they reported to Jesus all that they had done.(DD) He took them along and withdrew privately to a[q] town called Bethsaida.(DE) 11 When the crowds found out, they followed him. He welcomed them,(DF) spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
12 Late in the day,(DG) the Twelve approached and said to him, “Send the crowd away,(DH) so that they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find food and lodging, because we are in a deserted place here.”
13 “You give them something to eat,” he told them.
“We have no more than five loaves(DI) and two fish,” they said, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 (For about five thousand men were there.)
Then he told his disciples, “Have them sit down[r] in groups of about fifty each.” 15 They did what he said, and had them all sit down. 16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,(DJ) he blessed and broke them.(DK) He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 Everyone ate and was filled. They picked up twelve baskets of leftover pieces.
Peter’s Confession of the Messiah
18 While he was praying in private(DL) and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.”[s](DM)
20 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”(DN)
His Death and Resurrection Predicted
21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one,(DO) 22 saying,(DP) “It is necessary that the Son of Man(DQ) suffer many things(DR) and be rejected(DS) by the elders, chief priests, and scribes,(DT) be killed, and be raised the third day.”(DU)
Take Up Your Cross
23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after[t] me, let him deny himself,(DV) take up his cross daily,[u] and follow me.(DW) 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.(DX) 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself?(DY) 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words,(DZ) the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory(EA) and that of the Father and the holy angels.(EB) 27 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death(EC) until they see the kingdom of God.”(ED)
The Transfiguration
28 About eight days after this conversation,(EE) he took along Peter, John, and James(EF) and went up on the mountain to pray.(EG) 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed,(EH) and his clothes became dazzling white.(EI) 30 Suddenly, two men were talking with him—Moses and Elijah. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.
32 Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep,[v](EJ) and when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him. 33 As the two men were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master,(EK) it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he was saying.(EL)
34 While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed(EM) them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came from the cloud,(EN) saying, “This is my Son,(EO) the Chosen One;[w](EP) listen to him!” (EQ)
36 After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept silent, and at that time told no one what they had seen.
The Power of Jesus over a Demon
37 The next day,(ER) when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, because he’s my only child.(ES) 39 A spirit seizes him; suddenly he shrieks, and it throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; severely bruising him, it scarcely ever leaves him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”(ET)
41 Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and perverse[x] generation,(EU) how long will I be with you and put up with you?(EV) Bring your son here.”
42 As the boy was still approaching, the demon knocked him down and threw him into severe convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy,(EW) and gave him back to his father.(EX) 43 And they were all astonished at the greatness of God.(EY)
The Second Prediction of His Death
While everyone was amazed at all the things he was doing,(EZ) he told his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink in:[y] The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”(FA)
45 But they did not understand this statement;(FB) it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it,(FC) and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Who Is the Greatest?
46 An argument started among them about who was the greatest of them.(FD) 47 But Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts,[z](FE) took a little child and had him stand next to him. 48 He told them, “Whoever welcomes[aa] this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.(FF) For whoever is least among you—this one is great.”(FG)
In His Name
49 John responded,(FH) “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,(FI) and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”(FJ)
50 “Don’t stop him,” Jesus told him, “because whoever is not against you is for you.”[ab](FK)
The Journey to Jerusalem
51 When the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up,(FL) he determined[ac](FM) to journey to Jerusalem.(FN) 52 He sent messengers ahead of himself,(FO) and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans(FP) to make preparations for him. 53 But they did not welcome him, because he determined to journey to Jerusalem.(FQ) 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” [ad](FR)
55 But he turned and rebuked them,[ae] 56 and they went to another village.
Following Jesus
57 As they were traveling on the road someone said to him,(FS) “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 Then he said to another, “Follow me.”
“Lord,” he said, “first let me go bury my father.”
60 But he told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.”(FT)
61 Another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house.”(FU)
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Footnotes
- 7:7 Other mss read and let my servant be healed
- 7:16 Or awe
- 7:16 Or come to help
- 7:22 Gk lepros; a term for various skin diseases; see Lv 13–14
- 7:27 Mal 3:1
- 7:28 Other mss read women is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist
- 7:41 A denarius = one day’s wage
- 8:10 Is 6:9
- 8:26 Other mss read the Gadarenes
- 8:37 Other mss read the Gadarenes
- 8:43 Other mss omit who had spent all she had on doctors
- 8:45 Other mss add and those with him
- 8:45 Other mss add and you say, ‘Who touched me?’
- 8:48 Or has made you well
- 8:50 Or she will be made well
- 8:54 Other mss add having put them all outside
- 9:10 Other mss add deserted place near a
- 9:14 Lit them recline
- 9:19 Lit has risen
- 9:23 Lit come after
- 9:23 Other mss omit daily
- 9:32 Lit were weighed down with sleep
- 9:35 Other mss read the Beloved
- 9:41 Or corrupt, or perverted, or twisted; Dt 32:5
- 9:44 Lit “Put these words in your ears
- 9:47 Lit the thoughts of their hearts
- 9:48 Or receives, throughout the verse
- 9:50 Other mss read against us is for us
- 9:51 Lit he stiffened his face to go; Is 50:7
- 9:54 Other mss add as Elijah also did
- 9:55–56 Other mss add and said, “You don’t know what kind of spirit you belong to. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy people’s lives but to save them,”
Luke 7-9
New International Version
The Faith of the Centurion(A)
7 When Jesus had finished saying all this(B) to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.(C) 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son(D)
11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord(E) saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
14 Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”(F) 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16 They were all filled with awe(G) and praised God.(H) “A great prophet(I) has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.”(J) 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.(K)
Jesus and John the Baptist(L)
18 John’s(M) disciples(N) told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”
21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses(O) and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.(P) 23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet?(Q) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:
28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God(S) is greater than he.”
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.(T) 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law(U) rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
“‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine,(V) and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(W) 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman(X)(Y)
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet,(Z) he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet,(AA) but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss,(AB) but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head,(AC) but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”(AD)
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you;(AE) go in peace.”(AF)
The Parable of the Sower(AG)
8 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.(AH) The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene)(AI) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s(AJ) household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”(AK)
9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you,(AL) but to others I speak in parables, so that,
11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.(AN) 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.(AO) 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches(AP) and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
A Lamp on a Stand
16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.(AQ) 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.(AR) 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”(AS)
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers(AT)
19 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. 20 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers(AU) are standing outside, wanting to see you.”
21 He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”(AV)
Jesus Calms the Storm(AW)(AX)
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master,(AY) we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked(AZ) the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.(BA) 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man(BB)(BC)
26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,[e] which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me,(BD) Jesus, Son of the Most High God?(BE) I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.
30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.(BF)
32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake(BG) and was drowned.
34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet,(BH) dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed(BI) man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them,(BJ) because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman(BK)
40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader,(BL) came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding(BM) for twelve years,[f] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak,(BN) and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master,(BO) the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me;(BP) I know that power has gone out from me.”(BQ)
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.(BR) Go in peace.”(BS)
49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader.(BT) “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James,(BU) and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning(BV) for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”(BW)
53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”(BX) 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.(BY)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve(BZ)(CA)
9 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons(CB) and to cure diseases,(CC) 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God(CD) and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.(CE) 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”(CF) 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
7 Now Herod(CG) the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John(CH) had been raised from the dead,(CI) 8 others that Elijah had appeared,(CJ) and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.(CK) 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.(CL)
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(CM)(CN)
10 When the apostles(CO) returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,(CP) 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God,(CQ) and healed those who needed healing.
12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.)
But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.(CR) Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah(CS)(CT)
18 Once when Jesus was praying(CU) in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;(CV) others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”(CW)
20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”(CX)
Jesus Predicts His Death
21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.(CY) 22 And he said, “The Son of Man(CZ) must suffer many things(DA) and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,(DB) and he must be killed(DC) and on the third day(DD) be raised to life.”(DE)
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.(DF) 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.(DG) 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them(DH) when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.(DI)
27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
The Transfiguration(DJ)
28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James(DK) with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.(DL) 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure,[g](DM) which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy,(DN) but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master,(DO) it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen;(DP) listen to him.”(DQ) 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.(DR)
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy(DS)
37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”
41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,”(DT) Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”(DU) 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it,(DV) and they were afraid to ask him about it.
46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.(DW) 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts,(DX) took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.(DY) For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”(DZ)
49 “Master,”(EA) said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”
50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”(EB)
Samaritan Opposition
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,(EC) Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.(ED) 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan(EE) village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John(EF) saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them[h]?”(EG) 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus(EH)
57 As they were walking along the road,(EI) a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man(EJ) has no place to lay his head.”
59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”(EK)
But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”(EL)
61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”(EM)
62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Footnotes
- Luke 7:22 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
- Luke 7:27 Mal. 3:1
- Luke 7:41 A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt. 20:2).
- Luke 8:10 Isaiah 6:9
- Luke 8:26 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes; also in verse 37
- Luke 8:43 Many manuscripts years, and she had spent all she had on doctors
- Luke 9:31 Greek exodos
- Luke 9:54 Some manuscripts them, just as Elijah did
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