1.

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2.

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

3.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

4.

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5.

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

6.

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

7.

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

8.

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9.

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

10.

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

11.

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

12.

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13.

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14.

And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15.

And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

16.

And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

17.

And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

18.

And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

19.

And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

20.

When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

21.

And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

22.

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

23.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

24.

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

25.

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

26.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

27.

This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

28.

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29.

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

30.

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

31.

And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

32.

They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

33.

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

34.

The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

35.

But wisdom is justified of all her children.

36.

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

This was no small civility from a Pharisee, for the Pharisees were of all others, in the generality of them, the most desperate and implacable enemies of our Saviour. But God hath his number amongst all nations, and all sorts and orders of men. Our Saviour, as was said before, was of a free and open converse, and never refused any opportunity offered him to do good. We may soberly eat and drink with sinners pursuing such designs.

37.

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38.

And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

How easily are persons (though seemingly well inclined and fair) offended, who have not the love of God rooted and grounded in their hearts! Did then all men who were prophets know persons at first sight?
1. It is certain they knew no more of people’s hearts and lives than God was pleased to reveal to them, or they knew by converse with them, and observation of them.
2. Suppose she had been a sinner, might she not be a convert now? And did not her behaviour toward Christ (before mentioned) witness a change in her?
3. Admit she had been yet such a sinner, yet might not she touch Christ?
This was indeed a Pharisaical error, that all not of their own religion, and all persons notorious for some sins, were in the same order as lepers, and other persons that were Levitically or legally unclean, so as none might touch them, but that contact made them also unclean. It is said also of the Samaritans, that when they met a Jew, or a Christian, they would first call out to him, Do not touch me. That there was of old such a party amongst the Jews that cried, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou, is plain from Isaiah 65:5.

40.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41.

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42.

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43.

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45.

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46.

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49.

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

These were either the Pharisees, who thought that Christ blasphemed in arrogating to himself such a power as belonged to God alone; or the others, who speak this rather in admiration; but it is probable the former are here meant.

50.

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Thy believing in me as he who have power on earth to forgive sins, and accordingly making application to me, and this thy faith working by love, Galatians 5:6, producing in thee this hearty sorrow for thy sins, a subjection unto me, and such testifications of thy love as thou art able to make, hath been an instrumental cause of that salvation, which floweth from me as the principal cause, Romans 6:23. We have such another expression in Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; though the saving here mentioned be much more excellent than that there spoken of. Faith is profitable both for the good things of this life, and those of the life which is to come; and with reference to both, salvation is ascribed to faith, as the instrumental cause, not to obedience and love, though the faith that doth us good must work by love, and be evidenced by a holy conversation.
Go in peace, is a phrase which was the usual valediction among the Jews, as much as our Farewell, or God be with you, they under the term of peace comprehending all good; but when we consider who it is that speaketh, and what immediately preceded, we have reason to think this was a more than ordinary compliment or farewell, even as much as is comprehended under the term peace, which, as I before said, is all good, but more especially that peace mentioned by the apostle, Romans 5:1, as an effect of faith. Go thy way a blessed and happy woman, and in the view and sense of thy own blessedness, and be not troubled at the censures and reflections of supercilious persons, who may despise or overlook thee because thou hast been a great sinner. God hath pardoned thy sins, and this I assure thee of; only take heed to keep and maintain that peace.