Luke 7:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In this remarkable display of divine power, worthy of His glory, an extraordinary event unfolds that captivates both angels and humanity. The people of Israel are chastised, lacking in understanding and unprepared for belief, whereas the multitude of Gentiles seem, at least in spirit, open to comprehension and faith. Consequently, Christ is seen to justly set aside His servant Israel, while He embraces, honors, and bestows His grace upon those who have, for ages, worshipped creation instead of the Creator, existing in darkness and despair, unaware of God, and submitting their minds to the malevolence of evil spirits. What occurred in this miraculous event?

Following this, Matthew recounts: When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a centurion approached Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is at home, paralyzed and in great anguish," and concludes with the statement, "And his servant was healed that very hour." In contrast, Luke positions the story of the centurion’s servant right after the Sermon on the Mount, stating: When He had completed all His teachings to the listening crowd, He entered Capernaum. A centurion had a servant he held dear, who was gravely ill, leading up to the point where it is noted that the servant was healed. The account of the leper’s cleansing is documented separately. It is evident that Jesus entered Capernaum after His sermon; however, we cannot ascertain the exact timeframe between these occurrences.

It is remarkable that after providing the commandments, He instructs us on the proper way to observe them. The Lord is implored to heal the servant of a Roman centurion; this symbolizes a Gentile populace trapped in worldly bondage, afflicted by destructive desires, destined to receive healing through the grace of the Lord. The Gospel writer accurately describes him as at the brink of death: without Christ's healing touch, he would surely have perished, as the Savior fulfilled the commandments with divine love, extending His affection even to His adversaries, rescuing them from death and offering the promise of everlasting life.

inquiring of Him... The term "inquiring" is preferred over "asking." This is referenced in the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. It is important to read the complete interpretation of that chapter, particularly the concluding verses, to understand clearly that the narratives from the two Evangelists do not contradict one another, even if it might appear that way at first.

Note: * ἐρωτῶν. Compare: "asking" (Syn.); "begging" (Ep. Cassian); "pleading" (Eliz.). We provide the literal translation of this term to prevent redundancy in interpretation. * Matthew 8:5-14.

Soon, the Lord arrived in the city accompanied by the newly chosen apostles. Awaiting them was an extraordinary gathering that astonished even the Lord, during which He shared a significant message for the apostles’ future ministry. A Roman centurion residing there had a beloved servant who was gravely ill. Although he was a Gentile by origin, he held the Jewish faith in high regard and had constructed a synagogue for the Jewish community in Capernaum. It is possible that he was a proselyte, albeit of a lesser standing. The stories of the Lord's miraculous acts had reached him; he believed in their truth and recognized the divine power within them, filling him with reverence for the miracle-worker.

From the Mount of Beatitudes, Jesus journeyed to Capernaum. In that city, there was a centurion whose cherished servant was gravely ill. Upon learning that Jesus had arrived, the centurion sought to ask Him to heal the servant. However, as a Gentile, he felt unworthy to approach Jesus directly, so he sent Jewish elders as intermediaries who urged Jesus on his behalf, emphasizing how the centurion had been kind to the Jewish community and had done much good for them. Jesus agreed to go with them.

As soon as the Savior reached Capernaum, His temporary home, a group of Jewish elders, likely from the leading synagogue, approached Him on behalf of a centurion. This centurion had a devoted and cherished servant who was afflicted with a severe illness (Matt. 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10). It might appear unusual for these Jewish leaders to advocate for a man who, whether Roman or not, was unquestionably a Gentile, and perhaps even regarded as an unwelcome intruder. However, the elders clarified that this centurion not only had a genuine affection for their community—an uncommon trait among Gentiles due to the prevalent Roman disdain for the Jews—but he had also financed the construction of their synagogue, which was esteemed for its beauty and was the principal synagogue in Capernaum.

He cherished those who were particularly devoted to Him, whom He loved and valued deeply for this reason. Referring to being "sick at death," in the Gospel of Matthew, it conveys a state of being in great distress and suffering. Each account complements the other, remaining harmonious in their portrayal.

Following the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus Christ arrived in Capernaum. There, a centurion, a Roman military officer of Gentile descent, lived; he may have been a covert convert to Judaism. Upon hearing of the miraculous cures performed by Jesus, he felt compelled to humbly request healing for his cherished servant, who was gravely ill and unable to move. Believing himself unworthy to approach the Lord directly, the centurion enlisted the Jewish elders to intercede on his behalf. They approached Jesus, saying: "Lord, my servant is at home paralyzed, suffering terribly," and they added to his merit: "He deserves your help, for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."