Luke 7:3

When he heard. The centurion’s knowledge of Jesus was limited to the reports that had reached him of the Saviour’s great deeds. He had never seen Jesus previous to the present occasion (DA 315).

The elders. These may have been either the leading citizens of the town or the board of elders of the local synagogue (see p. 56), or they may have served in both capacities. Owing to the friendly gestures of the centurion (see v. 5), he was on particularly good terms with the “elders” despite the fact that he was a Gentile and not a Jew. Fully aware of the usual Jewish attitude toward Gentiles (see on Matt. 7:6), the centurion may have been uncertain as to how Jesus would respond to a request coming directly from one not of His own race. Having had, perhaps, unpleasant experiences with various Jewish leaders in the past, he may have feared a rebuff. In typically Oriental fashion, also, the correct procedure would be to make arrangements through a middleman, who, presumably, was in a position to provide for things that might otherwise be refused. Possibly these were the “elders” of the very synagogue Jesus usually attended when in Capernaum (see on Luke 4:16).

The most apparent difference between the accounts of Matthew and Luke occurs at this point in the narrative. Luke records the sending of two delegations by the centurion — “elders” (v. 3) and by the “friends” (v. 6) — whereas Matthew mentions neither. The latter speaks only of the centurion himself coming to Jesus (eh. 8:5). It is probable that Matthew, bearing in mind the fact that the delegations actually spoke for the centurion, simplifies his account by presenting the words of the messengers on behalf of the centurion as if they had been spoken by the centurion himself in person. Today, as in ancient times, a man in authority is commonly said to do certain things when, in fact, the actual work is done by his subordinates. Pilate, for instance, is said to have scourged Jesus (John 19:1). But the actual scourging was, of course, administered by a subordinate, at Pilate’s order. Apparently the two delegations, the “elders” and the “friends,” approached Jesus, but when it became evident that He was continuing on His way to the centurion’s home, the latter came out in person, and when he met Jesus, repeated practically the same message he had sent by the “elders” and “friends.” Furthermore, Luke had special reasons for mentioning any friendly act on the part of the leaders of Israel toward Jesus (see Additional Note at end of chapter). See on Luke 5:2.

Beseeching. Or, “asking,” “entreating.”

Heal. Gr. diasozo, “to bring safely through,” “to save.” The centurion wanted Jesus to bring his faithful slave safely through his illness.