Who was dear unto him - That is, he was valuable, trusty, and honored.

A certain centurion's servant - See this miracle explained on Matthew 8:5-13 (note).

And a certain centurion's servant,.... The same that Matthew makes mention of, Matthew 8:5; see Gill on Matthew 8:5. See Gill on Matthew 8:6.

who was dear unto him; to the centurion, being an honest, upright, faithful, and obliging servant; as Tabi was to Rabban Gamaliel, of whom his master said (l),

"Tabi my servant, is not as other servants, , "he is upright".''

was sick: of a palsy; see Matthew 8:6,

and ready to die; in all appearance his case was desperate, and there was no help for him by any human means, which makes the following cure, the more remarkable.

(l) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 16. 2.

Centurion (ἑκατοντάρχου)

From ἕκατον, a hundred, and ἄρχω, to command. Commander of a hundred men. Mark uses κεντυρίων, a Graecized form of the Latin word centurio. A centuria was originally a division consisting of a hundred things of a kind; and thence came to mean any division, whether consisting of a hundred or not. In military language it meant a division of troops, a company, not necessarily of a hundred, the captain of which was called centurio. The numbers of a century varied from about fifty to a hundred. The Roman legion consisted of ten cohorts or σπεῖραι, bands, as" the Italian band," of which Cornelius was a centurion (Acts 10:1). The commanders of these cohorts were called chiliarchs, or chief captains (John 18:12, Rev.). Each cohort contained six centuries, or companies, of which the commanders were called centurions. The duty of the centurion was chiefly confined to the regulation of his own corps, and the care of the watch. The badge of his office was the vitis, or vine-stock. He wore a short tunic, and was also known by letters on the crest of his helmet. Dean Howson ("Companions of St. Paul") remarks on the favorable impression left upon the mind by the officers of the Roman army mentioned in the New Testament, and cites, besides the centurion in this passage, the one at the cross, and Julius, who escorted Paul to Rome. See Acts 10:1.

Servant (δοῦλος)

A bond-servant. Matthew has παῖς, a servant, which occurs also at Luke 7:7.

Dear (ἔντιμος)

Lit. held in honor or value. It does not necessarily imply an affectionate relation between the master and the servant, though such may well have existed. It may mean only that he was a valuable servant. See on 1 Peter 2:4. In this case Luke omits the mention of the disease, which is given by Matthew.

Beseeching (ἐρωτῶν)

Too strong. Better asking, as Rev. The word to beseech (παρακαλέω) occurs in the next verse. See on Matthew 15:23.

Heal (διασώσῃ)

Better as Rev., save. See on Luke 6:19.

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

7:2-10 A certain centurion's servant. For notes on the healing of the centurion's servant, see Mt 8:5-13.

7:1-10 Servants should study to endear themselves to their masters. Masters ought to take particular care of their servants when they are sick. We may still, by faithful and fervent prayer, apply to Christ, and ought to do so when sickness is in our families. The building places for religious worship is a good work, and an instance of love to God and his people. Our Lord Jesus was pleased with the centurion's faith; and he never fails to answer the expectations of that faith which honours his power and love. The cure soon wrought and perfect.