Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son at Nain
11Soon afterwardsb he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. 13When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, rise!” 15The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesusc gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen among us!” and “God has looked favorably on his people!” 17This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
Messengers from John the Baptist
18The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples 19and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 20When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” 21Jesusd had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. 22And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the leperse are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. 23And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
24When John’s messengers had gone, Jesusf began to speak to the crowds about John:g “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? Someoneh dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal 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,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
28I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29(And all the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God,i because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves.)
31“To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,
‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not weep.’
33For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon’ 34the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
36One of the Pharisees asked Jesusj to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.” 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “speak.” 41“A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii,k and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” 43Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesusl said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” 48Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
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a Gk he
b Other ancient authorities read Next day
c Gk he
d Gk He
e The terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases
f Gk He
g Gk him
h Or Why then did you go out? To see someone
i Or praised God
j Gk him
k The denarius was the usual day’s wage for a laborer
l Gk he
7.1–10 Cf. Mt 8.5–13; Jn 4.46b–54. This story of Jewish-gentile relations has a precedent in the traditions about Elisha (2 Kings 5.1–14; see also Lk 4.27).
7.1 Capernaum. See 4.31.
7.2 A centurion had charge over one hundred soldiers in the Roman army (see also 23.47; Acts 10.1–48; 22.25–26; 24.23; 27.1, 6, 11, 31, 43). Here a centurion is a benefactor of Jews (v. 5) and is declared to have faith (v. 9); in Acts the centurion Cornelius practices Jewish piety (Acts 10.1–2) and becomes the first gentile convert.
7.3 Jewish elders, here probably local synagogue leaders, but later the title will be linked closely with Jerusalem officials, especially from the temple, who opposed Jesus and the apostles (see 9.22; 20.1; 22.52; Acts 4.5, 8, 23; 6.12;23.14; 24.1; 25.15).
7.4–5 Worthy implies acceptability by the standards of Jewish law as well as gratitude for the building of the synagogue. A Roman officer could be a “friend of the Jews” or one who “feared God” (see Acts 10.2, 22) but would not have been permitted by Rome to undergo circumcision as a convert. A Roman soldier who loves the Jewish people illustrates love of enemies (6.27).
7.6 The centurion’s address of Jesus as Lord implies respect for Jesus’ authority (see v. 8). A Jew who came under a Gentile’s roof would risk defilement (see Acts 10.28; 11.2–3).
7.7 The centurion is confident in the effectiveness of Jesus’ word at a distance.
7.9 Jesus is amazed and defines the centurion’s response as faith (see 5.20; 7.50; 8.25, 48; 17.19; 18.42). Not even in Israel, a prophetic reproach (see 4.25–27).
7.11–17 This story has a clear parallel in the Elijah traditions (1 Kings 17; see also 2 Kings 4) and was foreshadowed in 4.25–26. Luke juxtaposes healing stories focused on a high-status man (vv. 1–10) and a low-status woman. See note on 2.38.
7.11 Nain, a village near Nazareth.
7.12 The death of an only son was an economic catastrophe for a widow. She would have no legal inheritance and, deprived of her son’s economic support, would be dependent upon charity (see Deut 26.12; 27.19; cf. Pss 68.5; 146.9).
7.13 Jesus’ compassion is here depicted as a deep visceral response (Greek esplanchnisthe; see also 10.33; 15.20). It reflects God’s compassion (see 6.36).
7.14 Touching the bier (or coffin) was a dramatic act, violating Jewish purity laws (Num 19.11, 16). Rise! Jesus’ word is again efficacious (see v. 7; 1 Kings 17.22).
7.15 Jesus gave him to his mother, an exact quote from 1 Kings 17.23 (see also Lk 9.42).
7.16 Fear again denotes an awareness of a divine visitation (see notes on 1.12; 1.65; 2.10). On Jesus as a prophet, see 4.24–27; 7.39; 13.33; 24.19; Acts 3.22–23;7.37; Deut 18.15–22. Looked favorably. See note on 1.68. God’s action is identified with that of Jesus.
7.17 Judea. See note on 4.44; 6.17.
7.18–35 Cf. Mt 11.2–19. The relationship between the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus is clarified.
7.18 Disciples of John. See note on 5.33.
7.19 The one who is to come. See John’s announcement in 3.16; see also Acts 19.4.
7.22 In what John’s disciples have now seen and heard, Jesus’ earlier words are fulfilled (4.18–19; see also Deut 18.21–22; Isa 26.19; 29.18–19; 35.5–6; 61.1; see also Lk 14.13, 21).
7.23 On calling blessed those who take no offense (lit. “do not stumble”) at Jesus, see also 2.34;10.23.
7.24 Into the wilderness. See 1.80; 3.2, 4; Isa 40.3.
7.25 On John’s clothing, see Mt 3.4; Mk 1.6.
7.26 More than a prophet. See 11.31–32.
7.27 The text cited is Mal 3.1; see also Lk 1.76; 3.4; Ex 23.20; Isa 40.3.
7.28 Since all are born of women, John is praised as the greatest human until the era of the kingdom of God (see note on 16.16).
7.29 Tax collectors. See 3.12; notes on 5.27;5.30. Acknowledged the justice of God, lit. “justified God,” i.e., acknowledged the righteousness of God’s plan of salvation and accepted it.
7.30 Luke’s Gospel and Acts document a pattern of refusal and rejection (see 9.22; 17.25; 20.17; Acts 4.11; 7.35). The Deuteronomistic stubbornness motif is in the background (Deut 10.16; Ex 32.9; 33.3, 5; Acts 7.51–53). Lawyers, i.e., teachers of the law of Moses (see also 10.25; 11.45–52; 14.3), probably to be identified with scribes. God’s purpose. See Acts 2.23; 4.27–28; 20.27.
7.31 On the people of this generation who have refused to repent, see also 9.41; 11.29–32, 49–51; 17.25; Acts 2.40; Deut 32.5, 20.
7.32 A childhood taunt to those who refuse to join a game functions as a prophetic accusation.
7.33 Eating no bread, a mark of extreme asceticism (see Mk 1.6). Drinking no wine. See 1.15. To accuse John of having a demon is to reject his divine call (see 1.68–79). A similar charge is leveled against Jesus in 11.14–20.
7.34 Son of Man. See notes on 5.24; 6.5. Jesus’ meal fellowship offends Jewish sensibilities (see also 5.27–32; 14.12–24; 15.2).
7.35 Wisdom, a personified attribute of God, is vindicated, i.e., justified. See note on 7.29. Wisdom’s children are those who hear and follow God’s instruction (see Prov 1–8).
7.36–50 Cf. Mt 26.6–13; Mk 14.3–9; Jn 12.1–7. A meal with a Pharisee provides an occasion to discuss who is acceptable in God’s kingdom (see also 14.1–15.2).
7.36 No motive for the Pharisee’s invitation is given (see also 11.37; 14.1), but it implies his interest in Jesus (cf. 5.30; 15.2). Took his place at the table, lit. “reclined.”
7.37 The woman’s sin is not identified. An alabaster jar would have been costly. Ointment, a perfumed oil.
7.38 Bathing the feet was a common sign of hospitality for guests (see v. 44; Gen 18.4; Jn 13.5; 1 Tim 5.10), but anointing the feet is unusual. Because Jesus is reclining (see v. 36) with his feet out away from the table, the woman can more easily anoint his feet than his head.
7.39 On Jesus as a prophet, see note on 7.16. A strict reading of Lev 5.1–5 indicates a risk of defilement upon even touching (or being touched by) a sinner.
7.40 Jesus’ statement indicates that he knows Simon’s thoughts (see note on 2.35).
7.41 The denarius was a day’s wage. Both debts are significant.
7.42 Love, have gratitude toward.
7.44–46 The usual gestures of Near Eastern hospitality (water for…feet, a kiss, and oil) are extravagantly outdone by the woman.
7.47 That she has shown great love indicates that her sins…have been forgiven.
7.49 The scandal among the guests derives from Jesus’ claim to speak for God in forgiving sins (see also 5.20–24).
7.50 On the saving power of faith, see 8.48; 17.19; 18.42. Go in peace (Hebrew shalom) are the traditional words of parting (see 8.48; 1 Sam 1.17; Acts 16.36), but peace is also the mark of God’s reign or kingdom (see 1.79; 2.14; Isa 52.7).
Luke 8
Some Women Accompany Jesus
1Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for thema out of their resources.
The Parable of the Sower
4When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: 5“A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”
The Purpose of the Parables
9Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, “To you it has been given to know the secretsb of the kingdom of God; but to others I speakc in parables, so that
‘looking they may not perceive,
and listening they may not understand.’
The Parable of the Sower Explained
11“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. 14As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.
A Lamp under a Jar
16“No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. 18Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.”
The True Kindred of Jesus
19Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Jesus Calms a Storm
22One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, 23and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. 25He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac
26Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes,d which is opposite Galilee. 27As he stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worne no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”—29for Jesusf had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with
chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) 30Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion” for many demons had entered him. 31They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
32Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demonsg begged Jesush to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
34When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. 35Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenesi asked Jesusj to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesusk sent him away, saying, 39“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
40Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, 42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.
As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. 43Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians,l no one could cure her. 44She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. 45Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peterm said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” 46But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” 47When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
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