Luke 7:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

NIV: Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

NASB: And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

CSB: When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant in good health.

NLT: And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.

KJV: And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

NKJV: And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Two groups have come to Jesus on behalf of a centurion in Capernaum. The first are Jewish elders—respected businessmen of the city—who ask Jesus to heal the centurion's dying servant. They try to convince Jesus by telling Him that the centurion respects the Jewish nation and built them a synagogue (Luke 7:2–5). Jesus agrees and follows them toward the centurion's house.

When the centurion realizes the elders are bringing Jesus to him, he sends the second group: friends. The centurion believes Jesus is far too honorable to set foot in his home. He trusts that Jesus' power and authority are like that of a military officer. He has faith Jesus can be effective without direct physical presence or supervision. Jesus is amazed at the man's faith.

The healing is completed quickly. The second group came "when [Jesus] was not far from the house" (Luke 7:6). Jesus doesn't always heal immediately, but when He heals remotely, He seems to do so in a way that leaves no question that it was He (John 4:52–53).

Luke 7:1–10 records the story of a Gentile centurion with humble faith. The centurion's servant is dying, so he sends messengers to only ask for healing, assuming Jesus doesn't need to be physically present. Jesus is amazed at his faith. Matthew 8:5–13 also records the story; John 4:46–54 is a different event. The centurion's faith contrasts Simon the Pharisee. Simon invites Jesus to a banquet without realizing his unworthiness to have such a guest (Luke 7:39–50). Jairus is another foil (Luke 8:40–42, 49–56) while the Syrian general Naaman serves as a prophetic parallel (2 Kings 5).

Luke 7 presents a chiasm: a set of themes mirrored around a reflection point. The humble centurion (Luke 7:1–10) contrasts the legalistic Pharisee (Luke 7:39–50). The widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–17) and the sinful women (Luke 7:36–38) have nothing to offer but gratitude for Jesus' blessings. In the center are John the Baptist and his disciples who struggle to trust that Jesus is worth following (Luke 7:18–23), then the sinners who do choose to follow Jesus and the religious leaders who refuse (Luke 7:24–35).

Luke 7 continues Jesus' mission primarily to the people of Galilee expressed as a series of pointed events and teachings punctuated by calls to follow Him. He has finished teaching the rigors of discipleship (Luke 6:17–45) and invited the crowd to place their faith in Him (Luke 6:46–49). Here, Luke describes different reactions to Jesus' miracles and message. Next, Jesus will reveal the mechanics of and reactions to His call (Luke 8:4–21) before showing His great authority over nature, demons, sickness, and worldly powers (Luke 8:22—9:17). After a final call to the disciples to deepen their faith (Luke 9:18–50), Jesus will turn toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 5/3/2024 3:18:52 PM