Luke 7:4

Besought. Gr. parakaleo, a stronger word than that used in v. 3, which means merely “ask,” or “request” (see on v. 3).

Instantly. Gr. spoudaios, “earnestly,” or “urgently”. This was one of the meanings that the word “instantly” formerly conveyed (see Rom. 12:12). The matter was urgent because the man was “ready to die” and time was short.

Was worthy. In the centurion’s own eyes he was unworthy (vs. 6, 7). In the eyes of the “elders” he was “worthy” (v. 4). A consciousness of one’s own unworthiness is a recommendation of the highest order. But with the centurion it seems that this appraisal of his status before Jesus was more than humility. Though a believer in the true God, the centurion was not yet a full proselyte, and accordingly in Jewish eyes still a heathen and therefore not eligible to participate in religious services (see on vs. 2, 5). Truly humble of heart before God, and probably conscious as well of his status in the eyes of the Jews, he sought to avoid embarrassing Jesus by obligating Him to enter a Gentile home. This would at best be repulsive to a pious Jew and would doubtless render him ceremonially unclean (see John 18:28). A Jew summoned by a direct command of a Roman officer would be obligated to comply with the summons, for to refuse would be interpreted as resistance to lawfully constituted authority. Evidently the truly devout and humble centurion sought to spare Jesus this and avoid embarrassing Him. The centurion’s humility was both real and practical (see on Luke 7:6).

He should do this. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 146) the reading “you [Jesus] should do this.”