A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 7

After (επειδη, επε ανδ δη). This conjunction was written επε δη in Homer and is simple επε with the intensive δη added and even επε δη περ once in N.T. (Luke 1:1). This is the only instance of the temporal use of επειδη in the N.T. The causal sense occurs only in Luke and Paul, for επε is the correct text in Mt 21:46.

Had ended (επληρωσεν). First aorist active indicative. There is here a reference to the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, but with nothing concerning the impression produced by the discourse such as is seen in Mt 7:28. This verse really belongs as the conclusion of Chapter 6, not as the beginning of Chapter 7.

In the ears of the people (εις τας ακοας του λαου). Ακοη from ακουω, to hear, is used of the sense of hearing (1 Corinthians 12:17), the ear with which one hears (Hebrews 5:11), the thing heard or the report (Romans 10:16) or oral instruction (Galatians 3:2,5). Both Mt 8:5-13; Luke 7:1–10 locate the healing of the centurion's servant in Capernaum where Jesus was after the Sermon on the Mount.

Centurion's servant (Hεκατονταρχου τινος δουλος). Slave of a certain centurion (Latin word χεντυριο, commander of a century or hundred). Mr 15:39,44 has the Latin word in Greek letters, κεντυριων. The centurion commanded a company which varied from fifty to a hundred. Each cohort had six centuries. Each legion had ten cohorts or bands (Acts 10:1). The centurions mentioned in the N.T. all seem to be fine men as Polybius states that the best men in the army had this position. See also Lu 23:47. The Greek has two forms of the word, both from εκατον, hundred, and αρχω, to rule, and they appear to be used interchangeably. So we have εκατονταρχος; here, the form is -αρχος, and εκατονταρχης, the form is - αρχης in verse 6. The manuscripts differ about it in almost every instance. The -αρχος form is accepted by Westcott and Hort only in the nominative save the genitive singular here in Lu 7:2 and the accusative singular in Ac 22:25. See like variation between them in Mt 8:5,8 (-αρχος) and Mt 8:13 (αρχη). So also -αρχον (Acts 22:25) and -αρχης (Acts 22:26).

Dear to him (αυτω εντιμος). Held in honour, prized, precious, dear (Luke 14:8; 1 Peter 2:4), common Greek word. Even though a slave he was dear to him.

Was sick (κακως εχων). Having it bad. Common idiom. See already Mt 4:24; 8:16; Mr 2:17; Luke 5:31, etc. Matthew 8:6 notes that the slave was a paralytic.

And at the point of death (ημελλεν τελευταιν). Imperfect active of μελλω (note double augment η) which is used either with the present infinitive as here, the aorist (Revelation 3:16), or even the future because of the future idea in μελλω (Acts 11:28; Acts 24:15). He was about to die.

Sent unto him elders of the Jews (απεστειλεν προς αυτον πρεσβουτερους των Ιουδαιων). Matthew 8:5 says "the centurion came unto him." For discussion of this famous case of apparent discrepancy see discussion on Matthew. One possible solution is that Luke tells the story as it happened with the details, whereas Matthew simply presents a summary statement without the details. What one does through another he does himself.

Asking him (ερωτων αυτον). Present active participle, masculine singular nominative, of the verb ερωταω common for asking a question as in the old Greek (Luke 22:68). But more frequently in the N.T. the verb has the idea of making a request as here. This is not a Hebraism or an Aramaism, but is a common meaning of the verb in the papyri (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 168). It is to be noted here that Luke represents the centurion himself as "asking" through the elders of the Jews (leading citizens). In Mt 8:6 the verb is παρακαλων (beseeching).

That he would come and save (οπως ελθων διασωση). Hινα is the more common final or sub-final (as here) conjunction, but οπως still occurs. Διασωση is effective aorist active subjunctive, to bring safe through as in a storm (Acts 28:1,4). Common word.

Besought (παρεκαλουν). Imperfect active, began and kept on beseeching. This is the same verb used by Matthew in Mt 8:5 of the centurion himself.

Earnestly (σπουδαιως). From σπουδη haste. So eagerly, earnestly, zealously, for time was short.

That thou shouldst do this for him (ω παρεξη τουτο). Second future middle singular of παρεχω. Old and common verb, furnish on thy part. Hω is relative in dative case almost with notion of contemplated result (Robertson, Grammar, p. 961).

For (γαρ). This clause gives the reason why the elders of the Jews consider him "worthy" (αξιος, drawing down the scale, αξις, αγο). He was hardly a proselyte, but was a Roman who had shown his love for the Jews.

Himself (αυτος). All by himself and at his own expense.

Us (ημιν). Dative case, for us. It is held by some archaeologists that the black basalt ruins in Tell Hum are the remains of the very synagogue (την συναγωγην). Literally,

the synagogue , the one which we have, the one for us.