Luke 7:1-10
Summary for Luke 7:1-10: 7:1-10 a This episode shows God’s message of salvation is for Gentiles as well as Jews.7:2 b a Roman officer (literally a centurion): A centurion was in charge of a “century,” approximately 100 soldiers. There were 60 centuries, or 6,000 soldiers, in a Roman legion.
7:3 c Jewish elders were leaders in the Jewish community. With his tendency to abbreviate accounts, Matthew has the centurion approaching Jesus (Matt 8:5-13 d). Luke tells the full story in which Jewish elders, and later the centurion’s friends, act as intermediaries.
7:5 e he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us: Such patronage by wealthy Gentiles was common in Jewish communities throughout the Roman Empire. It suggests that the centurion might have been a “God-fearer” like Cornelius (Acts 10:2 f), a Gentile who worshiped the God of Israel but had not fully converted to Judaism.
7:6 g I am not worthy of such an honor: The man was probably showing sensitivity to Jewish concerns; pious Jews would not enter the home of a Gentile, since it would make them ceremonially unclean (see Acts 10:28 h; 11:12 i). The centurion might also have been acknowledging Jesus’ superior status.
7:8 j the authority of my superior officers: The Roman army was renowned for its organization and discipline. The centurion recognized authority when he saw it in Jesus’ words and actions.
7:9 k I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! While many in Israel were unresponsive to the good news of salvation, some Gentiles believed and found salvation.
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