Luke 7 2

Luke 7:2 kjv

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

Luke 7:2 nkjv

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

Luke 7:2 niv

There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die.

Luke 7:2 esv

Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.

Luke 7:2 nlt

At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death.

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 2 Meaning

Luke 7:2 introduces a Roman centurion in Capernaum whose beloved servant was gravely ill and nearing death. This verse sets the stage for a remarkable encounter, immediately highlighting the urgent need for divine intervention due to the servant's critical condition. The description of the servant as "dear to him" (or "valued highly") is significant, portraying an unusual depth of care from a Roman officer towards his enslaved person, which underscores the centurion's character and his compelling motivation to seek Jesus' aid.

Luke 7 2 Context

Luke chapter 7 opens with Jesus in Capernaum, a town that served as a base for much of His Galilean ministry. Just prior to this verse, Jesus has concluded His teaching of the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49), delivering radical teachings on love, mercy, and wise living. Luke 7:2 then immediately introduces a concrete situation that puts these principles into action, showcasing Jesus' compassion and power. The centurion, a high-ranking Roman military officer overseeing 100 soldiers, represents Roman authority and gentile presence in Jewish lands. His servant’s dire condition sets an urgent, immediate context for the upcoming display of Jesus' healing authority and highlights the extraordinary faith of a non-Jew, aligning with Luke's thematic emphasis on God's inclusive grace towards all, including Gentiles, the marginalized, and the vulnerable.

Luke 7 2 Word analysis

• And a certain centurion’s servant:
  • And: Links to preceding events, showing a natural progression of Jesus' ministry.
  • certain: Underscores that this was a specific individual and real event.
  • centurion’s: (Greek: hekatontarchos, ἑκατοντάρχου) - A Roman military officer in charge of one hundred soldiers. This is significant because Romans represented occupying power to the Jews, yet this officer exhibits qualities admirable even to Jews (Luke 7:4-5). Their social standing was considerable.
  • servant: (Greek: doulos, δοῦλος) - Literally a slave or bondservant, rather than a mere employee. In the Roman world, slaves were often seen as property with little inherent value. The social distinction between a powerful centurion and his doulos amplifies the centurion's character and actions.
• who was dear to him:
  • dear to him: (Greek: entimos, ἔντιμος) - Precious, highly valued, esteemed. This phrase is pivotal. It signifies a profound emotional attachment and high regard, going beyond mere economic value. It speaks to the centurion's humane character, atypical for how slaves were often viewed, showing he genuinely cared for his slave's well-being and life, making his later actions understandable. This unusual bond provides the deep motivation for the centurion's extraordinary plea to Jesus.
• was sick and at the point of death:
  • was sick: (Greek: kakōs echōn, κακῶς ἔχων) - Literally "having badly" or "being ill," indicating a serious affliction.
  • at the point of death: (Greek: emelle teleutan, ἔμελλε τελευτᾶν) - About to die, critically ill. This detail emphasizes the urgency and hopelessness of the situation from a human perspective. It underscores that ordinary medical means had failed, setting the stage for a divine miracle. The gravity of the situation magnifies the display of Jesus' power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• A certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him: This phrase immediately establishes the two main characters – the powerful centurion and his humble, but highly esteemed, servant. It sets up a relationship dynamic that transcends typical social stratification of the time, highlighting the centurion's remarkable compassion and character which foreshadows his later, greater display of faith.
• was sick and at the point of death: This phrase quickly establishes the desperate and urgent situation. It communicates the critical condition of the servant, emphasizing the immediate need for a miracle, and removing any doubt about the severity of the illness or the power required to intervene.

Luke 7 2 Bonus section

Luke's account, compared to Matthew's parallel (Matt 8:5-13), includes specific details like the centurion sending Jewish elders, and then friends, to Jesus. This verse's emphasis on the centurion valuing his slave highlights Luke's characteristic focus on the marginalized and the humane treatment of others, demonstrating that true godliness can be found in surprising places and among people from diverse backgrounds, even Roman occupiers. The Greek word entimos carries weight, indicating honor and dignity, a treatment often reserved for family members rather than chattel. This serves as a testament to the centurion's remarkable character even before his faith in Jesus is fully revealed.

Luke 7 2 Commentary

Luke 7:2 succinctly sets the scene for one of Jesus' most significant demonstrations of authority and highlights profound faith found in an unexpected quarter. The specific detail that the centurion's servant was "dear to him" is crucial, painting a picture of an unusually compassionate master. This was not merely about losing property; it was a deeply personal crisis. The servant's dire condition, "at the point of death," created an immediate and urgent need for Jesus' intervention, establishing a clear framework for a miraculous healing. This introduction underscores both the centurion's humanity and the servant's desperation, providing a compelling foundation for the dramatic narrative of faith and healing that follows.