The Faith of the Centurion
(Matthew 8:5–13; John 4:43–54)
1 When Jesus had concluded His discourse {rhēmata} in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum (village of comfort). 2 There a highly valued servant {doulos} of a centurion (commander of a hundred) was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus (YHWH saves), he sent some Jewish elders to ask Him to come and heal his servant {doulon}. 4 They came to Jesus (YHWH saves) and pleaded with Him earnestly, “This man is worthy to have You grant this, 5 for he loves {agapa} our nation {ethnos} and has built our synagogue.”
6 So 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. 7 That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to You. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For 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.”
9 When 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.” 10 And when the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant {doulon} in good health.
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
11 Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain. His disciples (pupils) went with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. 12 As 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.
13 When the Lord {Kyrios} saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.” 14 Then He went up and touched the coffin \bier/,a and those carrying it stood still. “Young man,” He said, “I tell you, get up!” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16 A 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!” 17 And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea (land of praise) and all the surrounding region.
John’s Inquiry
(Matthew 11:1–6)
18 Then John’s disciples (pupils) informed him about all these things. 19 So 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?”
20 When 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?’”
21 At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits {pneumatōn}, and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So 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. 23 Blessed 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)
24 After 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? 25 Otherwise, 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.
26 What then did you⁺ go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you⁺, and more than a prophet. 27 This 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
28 I 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.”
29 All 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). 30 But 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? 32 They 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,
33 For John (YHWH is gracious) the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you⁺ say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you⁺ say, ‘Look (Behold) at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But 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)
36 Then one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As 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.
39 When 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!”
40 But 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. 42 When 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.
44 And 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. 45 You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume. 47 Therefore 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.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 But those at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
This version is an early draft and is now in the stage of proofing, consistency checking, and public comment. Please note that meanings for Biblical names are based on Hebrew and Greek roots and can be somewhat subjective. Feel free to Contact us with suggestions or corrections. We are still adding points of emphasis wherever helpful.