Luke 7

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

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.

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

But wisdom is justified of all her children.

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

What does Luke 7:6 mean?

Explanation

Luke 7:6 depicts the humility and faith of a Roman centurion who believes Jesus can heal his servant with just a word, without having to come to his house.

The verse conveys the centurion's recognition of both Jesus' authority and his own unworthiness.

Literally, it describes the action of the centurion sending friends to deliver his message to Jesus.

On a deeper level, it shows the centurion's understanding of authority as he equates Jesus' command over illness to that of a soldier's command over his troops.

The centurion's faith is so strong that he does not deem Jesus' physical presence necessary for the healing to occur.

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Historical Context

The event occurs in the context of the Roman occupation of Judea during the 1st century AD.

Centurions were important officers in the Roman army and were usually Gentiles, meaning non-Jews.

The interaction between this centurion and Jesus is significant because it crosses social, cultural, and religious boundaries of the time.

Jews typically avoided close interactions with Gentiles due to religious and cultural differences.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse illustrates Jesus' universal mission, signifying that salvation and miracles are available to all, regardless of ethnicity or status.

The centurion's faith is often contrasted with that of the Israelites, echoing Jesus' broader message that faith is not limited to a chosen people but rather to those who truly believe in him.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as a reminder of the virtues of humility and faith in daily life.

It encourages people to acknowledge their limitations and to have complete trust in a higher power or the support of their community.

In practical terms, it can also be seen as a call to respect and accept people from different backgrounds and to believe in the power of indirect help and influence.

Cross-References

Similar themes can be found in the following verses:

Matthew 8:8: "The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed."
Matthew 15:28: "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.

And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."

John 4:49-53: "The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth."

Language Study

The key phrase "I am not worthy" in the original Greek is "οὐκ ἱκανός εἰμί" (ouk hikanos eimi), which conveys a deep sense of unworthiness or inadequacy before someone of great status or holiness.

"Thou shouldest enter under my roof" implies a profound respect for Jesus, recognizing the sanctity that would be bestowed by his presence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Roman culture, a centurion was a man of authority and pride, which makes his humility before Jesus all the more striking.

Comparing this to other religions, the act of recognizing one's unworthiness or humility before the divine can be seen in various traditions, such as bowing or prostrating in Islam or the confession of sins in Christianity.

Scientific Perspectives

The account does not directly intersect with modern scientific understandings, as it deals with miraculous healing and faith.

However, modern psychology might examine the power of belief and its effects on the human mind and body, suggesting that faith and positive expectations can impact health outcomes.

Commentaries

Many biblical scholars and theologians highlight this verse as a demonstration of genuine faith that surpasses religious and cultural barriers.

John Calvin comments on the centurion's faith as a signifier of his understanding of divine authority.

Matthew Henry notes the centurion's humility as a contrast to the sense of entitlement often seen in positions of authority.

Contemporary interpretations continue to draw on the centurion as an exemplar of faith and humility in recognizing Jesus' authority and the power of his word.

Luke 7

Luke 7

What does Luke 7:6 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 7:6 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?