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Luke 7:1-10

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

Luke 7:1-10 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 7:1

Theological / Devotional

When. The Centurion’s Slave, Luke 7:1-10 = Matt. 8:5-13. Major comment: Luke. See Middle Galilean Ministry; The Ministry of Our Lord; on miracles pp. 208-213. Or, “after.” The events of vs. 1-10 followed the Sermon on the Mount in close chronological sequence (see on Matt. 8:2), and may have occurred on the same day. Luke 7:1 provides the transition from the place where the Sermon on the Mount was given to that where the centurion’s servant was healed. For other instances of sequence transition in Luke see chs. 4:30, 37, 44; 5:11, 16, 26; 6:11; etc. It was now probably the late summer of A.D. 29 (see MB 2, 45; see on Matt. 5:1), and the time of day, perhaps late afternoon.

His sayings. Specifically, the Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:20-49; cf. Matt. 7:28).

In the audience. Or, “in the ears,” that is, “in the hearing.” An “audience” is a group of “hearers.”

Entered into Capernaum. Apparently upon His return from giving the Sermon on the Mount, as the context implies (see DA 316). On Capernaum as the headquarters for the Galilean ministry see on Matt. 4:13. It seems that the deputation of elders bearing the centurion’s request met Jesus as He returned to the city.

The parallel account in Matt. 8:5-13 appears to have a number of differences, but a comparison of the two accounts makes it evident that these are not discrepancies, and that the two accounts are simply different versions of the same incident. The conversational portions of both accounts are almost identical, and the differences occur mainly in the narrative sections. In both instances the focal point of interest is the great faith of the centurion, a Gentile (see on Luke 7:9). The unusual circumstance of the miracle is the fact that the one benefited by it was not in the immediate presence of Christ at the moment of healing.

By SdaBc