#47 Centurions’ Servant Healed
Please first read: Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
There are
two miss-translations in Matthew chapter 8:
·
In the King James
version, verse 10 reads: Jesus marveled at the faith of the
Centurion. It was not Jesus, but they who were with him who
marveled. The JST corrects this to read: “And when they that followed him
heard this, they marveled.” (verse 9)
·
In the King James
version, verse 12 reads: It is not “the children of the kingdom
shall be cast out.” The JST corrects this to read: “the children of
the wicked one shall be cast out.”
In Edersheim’s “Life
and Times of Jesus the Messiah,” and Elder McConkie’s “Doctrinal New Testament
Commentary,” we learn:
Jesus is
now back at his home base in Capernaum … the location of the Sermon on the
Mount, and the home of Peter and Matthew. His incessant zeal for his work
has also infected his Apostles, but they are concerned with how
aggressively he keeps going. To the Jewish Eastern mind this could raise
the possibility of one being possessed by Satan. The Scribes, for
one, were quick to raise the specter of Jesus using the powers of
Satan. It is at this time the healing of the Centurion’s servant occurs.
A
faithful servant of the Centurion is sick and dying of the palsy. The
Centurion knows of Jesus to the point that he has faith Jesus can heal his
servant; he has a good relationship with, and feeling for, the Jewish
people and their leaders; and asks the Jewish Elders to assist him in
petitioning Jesus to heal his servant, and they do so. Jesus’ favorable
response is immediate. Being in this locale the Centurion was probably in
the service of Herod and Captain of the troops stationed there. These
soldiers were mainly recruited from Samaritans and Gentiles in the
area. The Centurion seems to have developed a friendship and sympathy for
these Jewish subjects. He would be aware that houses of the Gentiles were
“unclean” to a Jew and would defile him if he entered one, and is trying to
arrange this to not be a problem for Jesus. His faith is such that he
believes Jesus can heal his servant; the question is ‘will he’?
Jesus’
comments about the faith of this lowly Gentile would sound harsh and shocking
in Jewish ears. Their centuries-old beliefs were that Gentiles could have
no part in the blessings promised to God’s chosen people. The promised
feast of the Messiah was only for Israel … they were the “children of the
Kingdom.” Gentiles and all others would be “consigned to outer darkness where
there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, a place of hopeless, endless night.”
(Edersheim)
The
Centurion shows great faith in Jesus, feels unworthy, but with the help of his
Jewish friends decides to ask anyway. His military mind compares Jesus to
himself … maybe something like: “I have authority and command soldiers … when
I say go they go; do and they do. You ‘Jesus’ also have authority … just
say and my servant will be healed.” This Centurion is not an ordinary
heathen/Gentile. He has been a friend and helpful to the Jewish people
and, among other things, has built them a synagogue. There are several
other synagogues in the area, but this one seems to be THE main one. The
Jewish elders speak in his behalf and tell Jesus he is worthy of such a
blessing.
This is
another instance where Jesus shows the public that these blessings will, in the
future, be available to everyone who shows faith and he comments on the
Centurion’s faith as greater than all Israel. (Verse 10) (McConkie)
Apostle James
E. Talmage:
“That the
centurion’s trust and confidence, his belief and faith, were genuine, is not to
be doubted, since Jesus expressly commended the same. The afflicted one
was healed. Jesus is said to have marveled at the centurion’s
manifestation of faith, and, turning to the people who followed, He thus
spake: “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in
Israel.” This remark may have caused some of the listeners to
wonder; the Jews were unaccustomed to the faith of a Gentile being so
extolled, for, according to the traditionalism of the day, a Gentile, even
though an earnest proselyte to Judaism, was accounted essentially inferior to
even the least worthy of the chosen people. Our Lord’s comment plainly
indicated that others/Gentiles would be preferred in the kingdom of God if they
excelled in worthiness.”
Geike:
At this
time in Galilee the plotting’s of the opposition (Rabbis and priests) continue
but are still mainly done in secret. Jesus’ popularity continues to
increase. He leaves Capernaum for a time and visits outlying
areas. Larger crowds than ever … people coming from far away. Shortly
after returning home the Elders appear seeking help for the
Centurion. Jesus responds and heads for the Centurion’s quarters. We
remember that Jesus had previously found a welcome in Samaria after being
rejected in Judea and he was now again being welcomed and publicly testified of
by another heathen. Those of Israel would do good to take notice.
Apostle
Bruce R. McConkie:
Not
children of the kingdom, as the King James Version has it, but children or
followers of the devil. All who do not follow Christ and keep his
commandments are so classified. Children of the kingdom are faithful
members of the Church who adhere to the standards of the kingdom. They are
followers or disciples of the Master, having accepted the doctrines and obeyed
the ordinances of the Church and kingdom. (JST Matthew 8:12)
The
following information is found in the “Complete Biblical Library:”
·
The Centurion would be
a Roman soldier, a gentile.
·
This event is a
preview of the Gentile mission that will come later.
·
From the Greek,
“servant” could also be translated “son.”
·
For a gentile to build
a synagogue would be rare and remarkable.
·
The translation here
of “Lord” could also mean “sir.”
·
“I say unto you,” meaning
“pay attention to what I am saying” … stronger emphasis.
·
The language Jesus
uses in placing the gentile’s faith ahead of Israel’s hints of the growing
tension between Jesus and traditional Israel.
Holzapfel:
In Jesus’
ministry we now see two further examples of Gentiles exhibiting such tremendous
faith that Jesus here responds to their request for help; and a short time
later he will heal the Greek Canaanite woman’s daughter who is possessed of a
devil. In both of these miracles/events Jesus makes comments about the
faith of Gentiles. Even though Jesus has made it clear to his followers
that he has come for chosen Israel, he also counsels about the coming time when
the Gentiles faith will gain the Lord’s blessings to them; and gives a
warning not to treat Gentiles as inferiors. (Related scripture Abraham
2:10)
Howick:
With this
miracle Jesus shows the Twelve and the public followers that the blessings of
the kingdom of God are not only for Israel; they are granted because of
faith, and the Jews will be in great jeopardy if they reject the Gentiles.
Bethany:
This
Roman officer is a Godly man … God has such among all sorts of
people. Remember Simeon’s words at Jesus’ birth, “for a light to
lighten the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel.”
Additional
Insights:
·
Jewish belief has
always been that the Messiah’s coming will only be for the Israelites. All
others [Gentiles] will be totally excluded. What would a practicing Jew
think … if he were really listening to Simeon’s words? Simeon, living
and working in the temple, now publicly says he can depart this life in peace
because he has seen God’s promised salvation who is “a light to lighten the
GENTILES.”
·
The officer recognizes
Christ’s sovereignty and calls him “Lord.” He has a love and compassion
for the person who is his servant.
·
Jesus’ “great faith”
remark is a jab at the lack of such faith in Israel. “And Jesus said unto the
Centurion, Go thy way and As Thou Hast Believed So Be It Done Unto Thee.” All
hinges on faith.
Glenn R.
McGettigan
January 2016
References:
“Life and
Times of Jesus the Messiah.” Edersheim
“Doctrinal
New Testament Commentary.” McConkie
“Jesus
the Christ.” Talmage
“Life of
Christ.” Geike
“Complete
Biblical Library.”
“Life and
Teachings of Jesus Christ.” Holzapfel
“Miracles
of Jesus the Messiah.” Howick
“New Testament Commentary.” Bethany
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