Luke 7:6

Went. According to the Greek, “was proceeding.” He did not accompany them all the way back to the centurion’s home, as the narrative makes evident (see Luke 7:7; cf. Matt. 8:5).

Friends. This second delegation may have been composed of Romans, perhaps personal associates of the centurion. Apparently Jesus kept moving toward the centurion’s home in spite of the proxy protest of his unworthiness, for the centurion himself finally came out (DA 316). In view of the fact that the second delegation intercepted Jesus “not far from the house,” and that Jesus advanced yet closer after receiving the second delegation, the centurion must have met Jesus very near his home.

I am not worthy. See on v. 4. Though the centurion protested his own unworthiness, Jesus later said of him, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (v. 9). The remarkable faith of this supposed heathen made him more worthy in the sight of Heaven than any of Jesus’ fellow countrymen. It is of more than passing interest to find that Jesus and the Jewish leaders, who so frequently found themselves in complete disagreement, should both affirm the worthiness of a Gentile. To be sure, their reasons for doing so were not the same; the “elders” approved of the centurion’s works; Jesus, of his faith. Perhaps herein is implied the truth that when faith and works are blended in the life, a man may be highly esteemed by both God and man. Rare is the leader who is esteemed by friends and foes alike, by men of different parties or shades of thought. Rare is the teacher who is held in honor by all his students, those to whom he of necessity gives low grades as well as those to whom he gives high. Rare is the pastor who is favored by all segments in his congregation.

Roof. Gr. stege, “a covering.”