Commentaries on Gospel Events

Centurion's Servant Healed, Widow's Son Raised from the Dead

A. D. 28

Capernaum

The widow I take to be a Jew and likewise her dead son.  The centurion was a gentile and possibly his sick servant (but more likely a Jew).  Only the centurion asked for healing and that not for himself but for another.

It doesn't seem to occur to the widow to ask for her son to be restored or of course were the wishes of the dead son a part of the miracle.

So, the significance of the healing of the servant seems to be to demonstrate that God will reward the faith of the gentiles and punish the lack of faith of the children of Israel, the Jews.

The purpose of the raising of the widows son would seem to be an outright demonstration of the signs and wonders to show Jesus to be the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the Redeemer.  It may be that Jesus has by this time collected all those worth or fit for apostleship or discipleship and is more concerned in open demonstration that the promised Messiah has come, thereby preparing the way for the sending out of the twelve and the seventy on their missionary tours.

 

 Matthew

Luke 

 

Mat 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

Mat 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

Mat 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

Mat 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

Mat 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Mat 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Mat 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

 

Luk 7:1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

Luk 7:2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

Luk 7:3 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.

Luk 7:4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

Luk 7:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

Luk 7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

Luk 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

Luk 7:8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Luk 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Luk 7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.