Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 7:4

"And they, when they came to Jesus, besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldest do this for him;" — Luke 7:4 (ASV)

The introductory words provide more than just a transition from the preceding sermon. They suggest another step in the mission Jesus came to fulfill (1:1); the word “finished” (GK 4444) is the same word translated “fulfilled” in 4:21 (see comment). Matthew uses a different word for “finished” (GK 5464) after a collection of Jesus’ sayings (see Mt 7:28 and comment). “In the hearing of the people” echoes “you who hear me” (6:27).

On behalf of his seriously ill “servant,” the centurion (who was probably in command of Jewish soldiers, not Roman ones) sent some of the leaders of the community to Jesus (v.3). Luke shows great interest in the character and importance of the centurion, more so than Matthew (Matthew 8:5–13). In v.4 we learn why the village elders were willing to intercede for the centurion. They were genuinely indebted to him for his generosity (v.5).