Luke 7:1-10

Luke 7:1-10

[1] he had ended  all  his  sayings  in  the audience  of the people,  he entered  into  Capernaum.  [2] And  a certain  centurion's  servant,  who  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  worthy  for whom  he should do  [5] For  he loveth  nation,  and  he  hath built  a synagogue.  [6] Then  Jesus  went  with  them.  And  when he  was  now  not  far  from  the house,  the centurion  sent  friends  him,  saying  unto him,  Lord,  not  thyself:  for  I am  not  worthy  that  thou shouldest enter  under  roof:  [7] Wherefore  neither  myself  worthy  to come  unto  but  say  in a word,  and  servant  shall be healed.  [8] For  I  also  am  a man  set  under  authority,  having  under  me  soldiers,  and  I say  Go,  and  he goeth;  and  to another,  Come,  and  he cometh;  and  servant,  Do  and  he doeth  [9] When  Jesus  heard  he marvelled  at him,  and  turned him about,  and said  unto the people  that followed  him,  I say  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 

What does Luke 7:1-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This incident shows Jesus extending grace to a Gentile through Jewish intermediaries. It would have helped Luke"s original Gentile readers appreciate that Jesus" mission included them as well as the Jews. It is another case in which Jesus commended the faith of someone (cf. Luke 1:45; Luke 5:20). Luke continued to stress Jesus" authority and the power of His word (cf. Luke 4:32; Luke 4:36). The similarities between this incident and the conversion of Cornelius are striking (cf. Acts 10).
"His story is thus an example of the fact that God is willing to accept all men alike and that everyone who fears him and performs righteousness is acceptable to Him ( Acts 10:34 f.)." [1]
The good relations between the Jews and this Gentile also show their compatibility, an important lesson for early Christians since there were Jewish Gentile tensions within the early church. Jesus also noted the unbelief that characterized the Jews generally, another important factor that the early church had to deal with. In his account of this healing, Matthew , writing to Jews, stressed the inclusion of Gentiles in God"s plan, but Luke , writing to Gentiles, emphasized the importance of Gentiles loving Jews. [2]