Luke 7:1-5
Luke 7:1 (KJB)
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered
into Capernaum.
Once Jesus had delivered His message to the people, he then went into Capernaum
which was His city. (Mat 9:1 KJV) And he entered into a ship, and passed
over, and came into his own city. Even though Jesus had made Capernaum His
base of operations for well over a year, they also did not hear the message
which Jesus preached. It seemed all they concerned themselves with was what they
could receive from Him. (Mat 11:23 KJV) And thou, Capernaum, which art
exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works,
which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained
until this day.
Luke 7:2 (KJB)
And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to
die.
(Mat 8:6 KJV) And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy,
grievously tormented. This centurion must have a heart of compassion for
the servant. The word here for “servant” in the Greek in Matthew 8:6 also speaks
of a child or one who is young. Maybe the centurion had a servant who had a
child that was sick but nevertheless, he had pleaded with Jesus the situation at
his home. The word “palsy” is speaking about one who is paralyzed and probably
could not walk and was suffering much pain owing to his physical infirmity. The
centurion probably saw the healing of the leper and was encouraged to know that
maybe his servant could be healed. In the life of an unbeliever, sin can cause
much emotional and physical pain especially if the sin ends up with a
debilitating disease or anything which attacks the body.
Luke 7:3 (KJB)
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.
Capernaum was on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. When He entered the
city the centurion approached Him. A centurion was in charge of hundred
soldiers. He probably belonged to the army of Herod Antipas because there are no
extant Roman records of an army being stationed in Galilee before 44 A.D. It
would not fit if they were just passing through because the centurion had a home
there and if they were just marching through, he would not put down any local
roots. This centurion no doubt had personally heard the sermon or had his people
there to see if it was sedition being preached or something else. The word
“beseeching” carries with it the idea of “pleading or calling for” with another
meaning of “encouragement.” So this centurion went to Jesus with an encouraging
desire not one of defeat or sorrow.
Luke 7:4 (KJB)
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was
worthy for whom he should do this:
This is a strange situation indeed. The centurion had dispatched the elders of
the people unto Jesus. It was not a normal situation when the Jewish elders
would appear as an advocate for a Gentile. They came to Jesus and told Him that
this centurion was definitely worthy to have his request fulfilled. These elders
wasted no time in coming to Jesus as they sought Him out diligently. In verse 3,
the centurion had begged Jesus by using the term “beseeched”, so the centurion
was convinced that Jesus could heal his servant.
Luke 7:5 (KJB)
For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
Then they proceeded to tell Jesus how this centurion was worthy. This centurion
had shown a love for their nation and he put that love into action by building
them a synagogue. For a Gentile to build a synagogue was a remarkable feat but
maybe he was like Cornelius and had attended worship services and had adapted
the worship of God instead of the Roman pantheon of false gods.