Luke Chapter 7
Showing all 50 verses for Luke Chapter 7.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. "
"When Jesus had finished saying all this to the crowd, he went into the town of Capernaum."
I don't leave my words hanging in the air - I go where people actually are and live out what I've just taught. Say what you believe, then go and act on it in your own neighbourhood.
"And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. "
"A Roman army officer had a servant he valued highly, and that servant was ill and close to death."
Care for the people who work for you or depend on you as if their wellbeing genuinely matters to you, not just their usefulness. Status differences shouldn't determine how much someone's suffering moves you.
"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. "
"When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish community leaders to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant."
I welcome requests made humbly, from anyone, regardless of their background or how much power they hold elsewhere in life. Asking for help sincerely is never a weakness.
"And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: "
"When they reached Jesus, they urged him strongly, saying the officer deserved to have Jesus do this for him."
People often try to earn their way into being helped or loved, but I respond to sincere need, not just to a résumé of good deeds. Worth isn't something you have to prove to be shown kindness.
"For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. "
"They said, He loves our people, and he even paid for a synagogue to be built for us."
Real love for people isn't just a feeling - it shows up in what I actually give and build for others, especially for a community that isn't my own. Put resources where your affection is.
"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: "
"So Jesus went with them. When he was close to the house, the officer sent friends to say to him, Lord, don't trouble yourself - I'm not worthy to have you come under my roof."
I don't need grand gestures or physical proximity to reach someone in need - and neither do you need to feel worthy before asking for help. Genuine trust doesn't require deserving.
"Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. "
"That's why I didn't think myself worthy to come to you in person either - just say the word, and my servant will be healed."
I can act powerfully at a distance, through nothing but a decision and a word - and I'm moved most by people who trust that kind of quiet authority rather than demanding spectacle. Real trust doesn't need to see everything to believe it.
"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. "
"I know how authority works - I'm under my superiors' orders, and I have soldiers under mine. I tell one to go, and he goes; another to come, and he comes; my servant to do something, and he does it."
I recognise real understanding when I see it, even coming from someone who has never sat in a synagogue. Insight into how things truly work matters more than the credentials someone carries.
"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. "
"When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He turned to the crowd following him and said, I tell you, I have not found faith this great anywhere in Israel."
I notice and celebrate real trust wherever I find it, even - especially - in people outsiders assume don't belong. Don't let anyone's background convince you they can't have the deepest kind of faith.
"And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. "
"When the men who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant completely healthy again."
My power to help doesn't depend on being physically present in your life at every moment - trust doesn't need constant proof to be justified. What I ask of you is simply to believe and let go of needing to control how the help arrives.
"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. "
"Soon afterwards, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him."
I go to the overlooked places, not just the significant ones, because every person's grief matters regardless of how small or unimportant their town seems to the world.
"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. "
"As he approached the town gate, a dead man was being carried out for burial - the only son of a widowed mother, and a large crowd from the town was with her."
I see the full weight of what a loss means for someone, not just the surface event - grief isn't only about the person who died, but about everything that death takes away from those left behind.
"And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. "
"When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her, and he said, Don't cry."
I act out of compassion even when nobody has asked me to - genuine kindness doesn't wait to be requested. Notice suffering around you and let it move you to act, not just to feel sorry.
"And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. "
"He went up and touched the coffin, and the men carrying it stopped. He said, Young man, I tell you, get up."
I'll cross whatever social or religious lines are necessary to reach someone who's suffering - rules that get in the way of real compassion aren't worth protecting. Don't let fear of being seen as improper stop you from helping someone in front of you.
"And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. "
"The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother."
I don't just fix problems in isolation - I care about restoring people to the relationships and support that give their lives meaning and safety. Think about what someone actually needs restored, not just the immediate crisis.
"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. "
"Everyone was filled with awe, and they praised God, saying, A great prophet has appeared among us, and God has come to help his people."
When something extraordinary happens, notice it and let it change how you see the world - don't shrug off wonder or explain it away. Real hope often arrives in a moment that makes people say, God is at work here.
"And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. "
"News about him spread throughout the whole region of Judea and beyond."
Let your actions speak for themselves and travel on their own - real impact doesn't need to be manufactured or forced into the spotlight. Good done quietly still reaches people.
"And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. "
"John's followers told him about all these things."
I understand that even faithful, sincere people can end up isolated and uncertain, needing to check in and ask honest questions rather than just assuming they already know the answer.
"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? "
"So John called two of his followers and sent them to Jesus to ask, Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"
I welcome honest doubt and direct questions, even from people who've followed me faithfully - asking isn't a failure of faith, it's how faith stays real. Bring your genuine uncertainty to me rather than hiding it.
"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? "
"When the men reached Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to ask you, Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for someone else?"
I take real questions seriously and give real answers - I don't dodge honest challenges to who I am, even when they come wrapped in doubt.
"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. "
"At that very time, Jesus healed many people of diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he gave sight to many who were blind."
I let what I actually do speak louder than any claim I could make about myself - judge me, and judge anyone, by the fruit of real, visible compassion, not by titles or words alone.
"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. "
"Then Jesus told them, Go and tell John what you've seen and heard: the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them."
I measure my mission by what it does for the most vulnerable and overlooked people - if you want to know whether something is genuinely good, ask whether it reaches the poor and the suffering, not just the comfortable.
"And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. "
"And blessed is anyone who doesn't lose faith in me because of who I am and how I act."
I ask you not to walk away from something good just because it doesn't look the way you expected. Stay open to a different, gentler kind of strength than the one you were bracing for.
"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? "
"After John's messengers left, Jesus began speaking to the crowd about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?"
I speak up for people even when they're going through doubt or a hard season - loyalty doesn't disappear just because someone is struggling. Defend the character of those you know, even in their weak moments.
"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. "
"What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? People who dress like that and live in luxury are found in royal palaces."
I respect people who live according to their convictions even when it costs them comfort, rather than those who dress up their message to seem impressive. Substance matters more than polish.
"But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. "
"So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet."
I recognise and honour the specific, unrepeatable role someone plays in preparing the way for good things to happen - not everyone's contribution looks the same, and some people's role is simply to point beyond themselves.
"This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. "
"This is the one it was written about: Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you."
I show you that some of the most important roles in life are about clearing the path for someone or something else, not about being the main event yourself. That kind of preparing work still matters enormously.
"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. "
"I tell you, among everyone ever born, no one is greater than John - yet the least significant person in the kingdom of God is greater than he is."
I offer something so significant that even someone with no status, no achievements and no fame can have more real closeness to God than the greatest figures of the past. Your value here was never about your résumé.
"And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. "
"All the people who heard this, including the despised tax collectors, agreed that God's way was right, since they had already been baptised by John."
I notice who actually responds with humility and honesty, and it's often not the people with the most social standing or religious credentials. Don't assume status equals spiritual insight.
"But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. "
"But the Pharisees and religious law experts rejected what God wanted for them, refusing to be baptised by John."
I warn against letting confidence in your own religious or moral correctness stop you from recognising something genuinely good when it's right in front of you. Stay humble even about the things you think you already understand.
"And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? "
"Then Jesus said, What can I compare the people of this generation to? What are they like?"
I use plain, everyday pictures to help you see your own patterns clearly - sometimes an honest illustration cuts through denial faster than a direct accusation ever could.
"They are like unto children siting 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. "
"They're like children sitting in the marketplace calling out to each other, We played a happy tune for you and you wouldn't dance; we sang a sad song and you wouldn't cry."
I recognise when someone's real objection isn't to the specific thing I'm doing, but to being moved or changed at all - don't let a moving target of excuses stop you from being honest about what's actually holding you back.
"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. "
"John the Baptist came neither eating ordinary food nor drinking wine, and you said, He has a demon."
I see how people twist even sincere, disciplined living into a reason for suspicion when they don't want to listen. Don't let others' cynicism about your convictions convince you they were wrong to hold them.
"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! "
"The Son of Man came eating and drinking with people, and you say, Look at him, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!"
I choose to eat and share life openly with people others look down on, and I wear the criticism that comes with that gladly - because being a friend to overlooked people matters more to me than protecting my reputation.
"But wisdom is justified of all her children. "
"But wisdom is proved right by all who follow it."
I trust that living rightly proves itself in the end, even when it's misunderstood or mocked in the moment. Don't chase approval - let your life's fruit speak for you eventually.
"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. "
"One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and Jesus went to his house and sat down at the table."
I stay open to sharing a meal and real conversation even with people who disagree with me or judge me - closing myself off to critics only deepens division. Keep the door open, even to those who challenge you.
"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, "
"There was a woman in that town who lived a sinful life. When she found out Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought a jar of expensive perfume."
I welcome people society has written off, and I don't turn away someone brave enough to seek me out despite their shame. Courage to show up honestly, however you're seen by others, matters more to me than a spotless reputation.
"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. "
"She stood behind him at his feet, crying, and her tears wet his feet. She wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet repeatedly, and poured perfume on them."
I receive love and devotion exactly as it's offered, without worrying about how it looks to onlookers or whether it follows the rules of propriety. Let people express real feeling towards you without policing how they show it.
"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. "
"When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he thought to himself, If this man were really a prophet, he'd know what kind of woman is touching him - she's a sinner."
I know your unspoken judgements even when you never say them aloud, and I'd rather you examine your own assumptions about who deserves closeness than quietly write someone off.
"And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. "
"Jesus answered him, Simon, I have something to say to you. He replied, Teacher, go ahead."
I challenge people's assumptions honestly and directly, but always with respect for them as individuals - correction doesn't require humiliation.
"There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. "
"Jesus said, A moneylender had two people who owed him money - one owed five hundred silver coins, the other fifty."
I use simple, relatable numbers to help you see moral truths clearly - sometimes putting a real cost on something makes an abstract idea suddenly make sense.
"And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? "
"Neither of them could pay him back, so he cancelled both debts freely. Now, which of them will love him more?"
I forgive completely, regardless of the size of what needs forgiving, because the point was never to make you earn your way back - and I expect that kind of unearned mercy to reshape how you feel and how you love in return.
"Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. "
"Simon answered, I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled. Jesus said, You've judged correctly."
I want you to apply the truths you already know intellectually to the real people right in front of you, not just keep them as safe, comfortable ideas. Insight only matters when it's lived out.
"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. "
"Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into your house and you gave me no water to wash my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair."
I judge people by the substance of their love and welcome, not by their social standing - a person with a bad reputation who shows real love outclasses a respectable person offering only formal politeness.
"Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. "
"You didn't greet me with a kiss, but she hasn't stopped kissing my feet since I arrived."
I notice small omissions of warmth just as clearly as I notice grand acts of devotion - genuine love shows itself in the ordinary gestures people either bother to give or don't.
"My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. "
"You didn't anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume."
I see the difference between doing the bare minimum and giving generously from the heart - and I know which one actually reflects love. Give more than what's expected when love moves you to.
"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. "
"So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - that's why she has shown such great love. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little."
I want you to understand how much you've actually been forgiven, because that understanding is what unlocks real, overflowing love in return - the more clearly you see your own need for grace, the more freely you'll love.
"And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. "
"Then Jesus said to her, Your sins are forgiven."
I speak forgiveness plainly and directly to people, not just implying it - sometimes you need to actually hear the words said to you, out loud, to feel truly free of your past.
"And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? "
"The other guests at the table began saying to each other, Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?"
I don't shy away from claims that unsettle people, even religious people, when those claims are true - sometimes the right thing to say will provoke real questions rather than easy agreement.
"And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. "
"Jesus said to the woman, Your faith has saved you - go in peace."
I send you away in peace, not in guilt - once you've placed real trust in me, I want you walking forward into your life renewed, not endlessly looking back at what you've done wrong. Let peace, not shame, be what carries you out the door.