Luke 7:3 kjv
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.
Luke 7:3 nkjv
So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant.
Luke 7:3 niv
The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant.
Luke 7:3 esv
When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.
Luke 7:3 nlt
When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave.
Luke 7 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 8:5-13 | When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him... | Parallel account of the centurion's servant healing. |
| Lk 7:1-10 | After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing... | Immediate context; the full narrative of the centurion's faith. |
| Acts 10:1-48 | At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion. | Another faithful Gentile centurion whose household received salvation. |
| Isa 49:6 | ...I will make you as a light for the nations... | Prophecy of God's salvation extending to the Gentiles. |
| Gen 12:3 | ...and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. | Promise of blessing to all nations through Abraham's seed (Christ). |
| Rom 10:12-13 | For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek... | Salvation available to all who call on the Lord, irrespective of ethnicity. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free.. | Equality in Christ; old divisions are transcended. |
| Eph 2:13-14 | But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off... | Gentiles brought near by Christ's blood, breaking down the dividing wall. |
| Ps 107:20 | He sent out his word and healed them... | God's power to heal through His spoken word. |
| Jn 4:46-54 | So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made... | Healing of the official's son from a distance, showing faith without proximity. |
| Acts 10:34-35 | Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand.. | God shows no partiality; those who fear Him and do what is right are accepted. |
| Mt 15:21-28 | And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out... | Jesus commends the great faith of a Gentile woman seeking healing. |
| Mk 5:22-23 | Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus... | Similar plea for a sick household member; urgency in seeking Jesus. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.. | Boldness to approach God's throne in prayer in times of need. |
| Lk 5:8 | But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees.. | Humility exemplified by Peter, similar to the centurion's self-perception. |
| Pr 16:7 | When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his... | God honors those whose actions please Him, even from unexpected sources. |
| Is 1:18 | "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord... | Invitation to seek God and resolve issues, showing God is approachable. |
| Jas 5:14-15 | Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders... | Call for intercession and healing, connecting elders with spiritual support. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders... | Humility and respect for those in authority, reflecting the centurion's posture. |
| Ps 28:2 | Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you.. | Calling upon the Lord for help, as the centurion does through his delegates. |
Luke 7 verses
Luke 7 3 Meaning
Luke 7:3 describes the centurion, a Roman officer, who upon hearing reports about Jesus's miraculous power, takes proactive steps. He sends Jewish elders as his representatives to appeal to Jesus, asking Him to come to his home and heal his critically ill and cherished servant. This act demonstrates remarkable humility, respect for Jesus's authority, and an extraordinary level of faith for a Gentile.
Luke 7 3 Context
Luke 7:3 is nestled within the larger narrative of Jesus's ministry in Galilee, specifically following His Sermon on the Plain (Lk 6:20-49). This miracle (Lk 7:1-10) serves as a profound illustration of true faith and Jesus's authority, particularly notable because it involves a Gentile, a Roman centurion. This act of humility and faith from a powerful pagan leader stands in stark contrast to the growing skepticism and hardness of heart found among many within Israel's religious establishment, as will be seen in subsequent chapters. Immediately following this event, Jesus raises the widow's son in Nain (Lk 7:11-17), further cementing His divine authority over life and death. The overall context emphasizes Jesus's compassion and power extending beyond Jewish boundaries, anticipating the global scope of the Gospel message.
Luke 7 3 Word analysis
- When: (Gk. HĹŤs) A temporal connector, indicating a specific point in time when an action occurred. It emphasizes the immediacy and decisiveness of the centurion's response to the news.
- the centurion: (Gk. ho hekatontarchēs) A Roman military officer in charge of approximately one hundred soldiers. His rank denotes a man of authority and order. That he seeks aid from Jesus, a Jewish teacher, highlights his profound humility and unusual recognition of Jesus’s power.
- heard about him: (Gk. akousas peri autou) This implies the centurion had received reports or accounts concerning Jesus. The Greek term akouĹŤ signifies an active hearing and understanding, suggesting that the news about Jesus's teachings, miracles, and authority had genuinely registered with him and formed a basis for his belief. The "him" refers to Jesus.
- he sent: (Gk. apesteilen) The centurion, a man of command, proactively "sent out" emissaries. The verb apostellĹŤ means to send with a specific purpose or commission, signifying a deliberate and intentional action, not merely a casual dispatch.
- some elders: (Gk. presbyterous tinos) These were likely respected Jewish leaders or prominent members of the local synagogue. It is remarkable that a Roman officer would utilize Jewish authorities for such a personal request, signifying his deep respect for Jesus and, by extension, the Jewish people and their spiritual figures. This act of deputation underscores the centurion's wisdom and humility, navigating cultural and religious protocols.
- of the Jews: (Gk. tōn Ioudaiōn) Specifies the ethnic and religious identity of the elders. This detail highlights the cultural and religious bridge the centurion sought to build, recognizing Jesus’s connection to the Jewish people while himself being a Gentile. It might also reflect local Jewish admiration for the centurion (Lk 7:4-5), who was noted for building their synagogue.
- to him: Referring to Jesus. The delegates were sent directly to Jesus, establishing a personal appeal.
- asking him: (Gk. erĹŤtĹŤn auton) The word erĹŤtaĹŤ suggests an earnest request or entreaty, not a command. It conveys a tone of supplication and respect, fitting for a person seeking a favor from someone they hold in high regard.
- to come and heal his servant: (Gk. elthein kai diasĹŤsei ton doulon autou) This states the specific, urgent purpose of the delegation.
- to come: (Gk. elthein) Implies the necessity of Jesus's physical presence as understood by common belief regarding healing. The centurion’s later statement (Lk 7:7) about not being worthy and only needing a word to be spoken will emphasize his extraordinary understanding of Jesus's spiritual authority.
- heal: (Gk. diasōsei) To thoroughly save or heal. This word indicates the severe and urgent nature of the servant’s illness, as well as the complete restoration sought.
- his servant: (Gk. ton doulon autou, though Lk 7:2 uses pais implying a younger servant or beloved household member) The emphasis here is on the centurion’s concern for his servant, described earlier as "dear to him." This detail reveals the centurion's compassion and the value he placed on human life, irrespective of social status, contrasting with Roman practices where slaves were often disposable. This bond highlights a compassionate character, fitting for someone whom Jesus would later commend.
Luke 7 3 Bonus section
The term "servant" (Gk. pais) used in Luke 7:2 implies a bond closer than a typical slave, possibly a beloved attendant or even a favored 'child' in service. This underscores the centurion's deep care and affection, elevating the stakes of the appeal and making Jesus's eventual commendation of his faith even more poignant. The elders' positive report of the centurion in Luke 7:4-5, noting his love for the Jewish nation and his contribution to building their synagogue, provides essential background to why they readily agreed to mediate for him. This demonstrates that faith and good works can be found even among those outside the covenant community of Israel, anticipating the broadening of God's saving grace to all nations. This instance can be seen as an early foreshadowing of Gentile inclusion into God's family, a core theme throughout Luke-Acts.
Luke 7 3 Commentary
Luke 7:3 reveals the heart of a humble, wise, and faithful Roman centurion who had heard of Jesus's profound healing power. Despite his position of authority, he did not command Jesus but earnestly appealed through respected Jewish elders, recognizing a protocol of respect. His proactive and deferential approach showcases not only deep humility but also a significant departure from typical Roman-Jewish relations. His immediate action upon hearing about Jesus—seeking out His aid for a valued servant—underlines the urgency of his faith and his understanding that Jesus possessed a unique spiritual authority, even before stating his famous belief in the power of Jesus's word. This verse sets the stage for one of Jesus's greatest commendations of faith found outside the established Jewish community, challenging preconceived notions of where true belief could be found.