Luke 7 4

Luke 7:4 kjv

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

Luke 7:4 nkjv

And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving,

Luke 7:4 niv

When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this,

Luke 7:4 esv

And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him,

Luke 7:4 nlt

So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. "If anyone deserves your help, he does," they said,

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 4 Meaning

Luke 7:4 describes the Jewish elders acting as emissaries for a Roman centurion, urgently imploring Jesus to heal the centurion's gravely ill servant. Their plea is explicitly founded on their assessment of the centurion's "worthiness," appealing to Jesus based on the centurion's demonstrated love for the Jewish people and his significant contribution of building their local synagogue. This verse sets the stage for a deeper exploration of true worthiness, humility, and faith in the subsequent narrative.

Luke 7 4 Context

Luke 7 opens with Jesus entering Capernaum, where He encounters the plight of a Roman centurion whose cherished servant is critically ill, at the point of death. The centurion, instead of approaching Jesus directly, sends highly esteemed Jewish elders to intercede on his behalf. This particular verse (Lk 7:4) captures the crucial moment of these elders' fervent appeal to Jesus. It highlights their justification for why Jesus should grant the healing—their assessment of the centurion's remarkable character and actions, particularly his positive relationship with the Jewish community and his philanthropic support of their faith. This immediate context sets up a poignant contrast with the centurion's subsequent actions and humble words, revealing a deeper theological truth about faith and grace. Historically, Jewish people living under Roman rule often viewed centurions with apprehension or animosity, making this centurion's genuine concern for his servant and his respected standing among the elders a noteworthy detail.

Luke 7 4 Word analysis

• And when they came:

  • And: A simple conjunction connecting to the previous statement in Lk 7:3, where the centurion sends elders.
  • when they came: "They" refers to the "elders of the Jews" whom the centurion had sent. Their immediate journey to Jesus signifies the urgency of the situation and their conviction in Jesus' ability to help. It also highlights their role as esteemed intermediaries.
  • to Jesus: This signifies a direct appeal to Jesus as the source of power and healing, demonstrating their belief in His authority.

• pleaded with him earnestly:

  • pleaded: Greek parakaleō (παρακαλέω). While it can mean 'comfort' or 'exhort', here its context implies 'to earnestly implore,' 'to beg,' or 'to entreat deeply.' It indicates a fervent and intense request.
  • with him: Again, directing their fervent plea directly to Jesus.
  • earnestly: Greek spoudaiōs (σπουδαίως). This adverb emphasizes diligence, zeal, promptness, and seriousness. It underscores the sincerity and intensity of their appeal, reflecting their personal conviction in the centurion's worthiness and the urgency of the servant's condition.

• saying, 'He is worthy':

  • saying: Introduces their direct verbal plea.
  • He: Refers to the centurion. The elders shift the focus from their appeal to the character of the one they represent.
  • is worthy: Greek axios (ἄξιος). Meaning 'deserving,' 'fitting,' 'having proper weight,' or 'equal in value.' The elders perceive the centurion's character and actions as meriting a favor or a beneficial response from Jesus. This assessment is based on their cultural understanding of reciprocal benefit and honor for those who do good deeds.

• that You should grant this to him;

  • that You should grant: This expresses the specific request for Jesus to perform the act of healing. It frames it as an bestowal or act of favor based on the preceding declaration of worthiness.
  • this: Implicitly refers to the healing of the centurion's servant, which was the original purpose of their visit (Lk 7:2-3).
  • to him: Reaffirming that the request is specifically for the centurion's sake, albeit indirectly benefitting his servant.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly": This phrase emphasizes the elders' proactive and impassioned intercession. Their esteemed social standing combined with their diligent and earnest pleading indicates both the gravity of the centurion's request and their deep respect for him. Their willingness to act as mediators suggests a positive relationship between the Jewish community and this particular Roman official, setting this account apart from common Jewish-Roman relations.
• "saying, 'He is worthy that You should grant this to him;'": This declares the core rationale behind their appeal. It reveals a culturally defined understanding of 'worthiness' based on works and benevolence (Lk 7:5 elaborates on these works). The elders present a case for Jesus' divine intervention rooted in human merit, highlighting a common Jewish framework of blessing based on righteous conduct and kindness. This perception of the centurion as "worthy" stands in significant narrative contrast to the centurion's own humble self-assessment of unworthiness that is presented shortly thereafter (Lk 7:6).

Luke 7 4 Bonus section

• The centurion's choice to send Jewish elders rather than going himself (or sending his Roman soldiers) is significant. It reflects both his respect for Jewish customs (avoiding ceremonial defilement of a Jewish house) and his diplomatic understanding of how best to approach Jesus, leveraging the high regard the elders had for him within their own community.
• The elders' active role as intercessors also highlights their concern for the centurion and their willingness to advocate for a Gentile who had shown them kindness, showcasing a bridge of mutual respect unusual for the time period.
• This verse indirectly sets up a crucial comparison for the reader between two approaches to receiving help from Jesus: one based on perceived merit (from the elders' perspective), and one based on profound humility and faith (from the centurion's own eventual words).
• The narrative presents Jesus' power as accessible through both direct petition and respectful intercession, though the ultimate recipient's faith proves to be the determining factor.

Luke 7 4 Commentary

Luke 7:4 is pivotal because it outlines the human-centered argument for divine intervention. The Jewish elders, acting on behalf of the centurion, appeal to Jesus not on the grounds of His sovereign power or mercy alone, but on what they perceived as the centurion's deservingness. Their emphatic declaration, "He is worthy," encapsulates a prevalent belief system where good deeds and acts of righteousness warrant divine favor and blessing. This "worthiness" is rooted in his philanthropic action of building their synagogue and his general benevolence toward their nation, details elaborated in the following verse.

This verse therefore establishes a theological tension within the narrative. While the elders presented a compelling case based on works, Jesus' later commendation of the centurion is centered on his extraordinary faith and humility, not the elders' declaration of his merit. The elders' intercession is certainly heartfelt and effective in bringing the matter to Jesus' attention. However, their justification for why the centurion deserves help acts as a setup for Jesus to reveal a higher standard—that God's favor is granted through humble faith rather than humanly perceived worthiness. This episode implicitly critiques a rigid emphasis on salvation by works, foreshadowing a more grace-oriented theology while still acknowledging the commendable character traits that can lead individuals to seek the Savior.