Luke 7:1-17

1When Jesus had finished everything he wanted to say to the people, he went to Capernaum.

2There a Roman army officer’s valuable slave was sick and near death.

3The officer had heard about Jesus and sent some Jewish leaders to him. They were to ask Jesus to come and save the servant’s life.

4They came to Jesus and begged, “He deserves your help.

5He loves our people and built our synagogue at his own expense.”

6Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the officer sent friends to tell Jesus, “Sir, don’t bother. I don’t deserve to have you come into my house.

7That’s why I didn’t come to you. But just give a command, and let my servant be cured.

8As you know, I’m in a chain of command and have soldiers at my command. I tell one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I tell my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

9Jesus was amazed at the officer when he heard these words. He turned to the crowd following him and said, “I can guarantee that I haven’t found faith as great as this in Israel.”

10When the men who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant healthy again.

11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a city called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd went with him.

12As he came near the entrance to the city, he met a funeral procession. The dead man was a widow’s only child. A large crowd from the city was with her.

13When the Lord saw her, he felt sorry for her. He said to her, “Don’t cry.”

14He went up to the open coffin, took hold of it, and the men who were carrying it stopped. He said, “Young man, I’m telling you to come back to life!”

15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16Everyone was struck with fear and praised God. They said, “A great prophet has appeared among us,” and “God has taken care of his people.”

17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding region.