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Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" The Centurion [message #11644 is a reply to message #11639]

Wed, 08 July 2015 10:03

Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana

Senior Member

In Matthews gospel we find a man that is called the "Centurion". In the ancient Roman army this was a man who was in charge over a platoon of men called a "century".

He is mentioned in Matthew as well as Luke's gospel. When you look at both of the scenarios given we find one man with two different descriptions on what took place. I believe the Bible is totally accurate and that there is an explanation of what exactly took place or maybe there is no clear cut reason and just leave it at what it says.

Quote:

Matthew 8:5-13

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

In Luke's gospel we find:

Quote:

7:1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Matthew who was probably there shows the centurion coming to Jesus, Luke on the other hand who gathered the information from others is telling us that the centurion sent his friends.

It appears this is the same man in each account and that he lived in Capernaum. The question is trying to find out why Luke is giving a different description of what took place or again is he giving more information and leaving out the fact that the centurion was there with his friends?

I am sure there is a plausible explanation on this. In Matthews gospel we see the servant is paralyzed and tormented, I would assume from the pain and sickness, in Luke we are told he is sick and on the verge of death.

Either way we know the man was healed, on just the fact that the Roman Centurion believed that Jesus would and could heal the man on just His spoken Word. One other thing, one would assume this Centurion was a gentile who believed Jesus was the Son of God.

Is there a solution to these verses?

Gary

[Updated on: Wed, 08 July 2015 10:05]

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