Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 7:2

ἑκατοντάρχου δέ τινος δοῦλος. Literally ‘slave.’ The word used by St Matthew (παῖς) might mean son, but is clearly also used for servant (like the Latin puer). A centurion is a captain; under him is a sergeant (δεκάδαρχος), and above him a colonel (χιλίαρχος), and general (ἡγεμών). Jos. B. J. Luke 7:12, § 2. All the centurions in the N.T. are favourably mentioned (Luke 23:47; Acts 27:43).

ἔντιμος. ‘Precious.’ 1 Peter 2:4; 1 Peter 2:6. The love of the captain for his servant was a good example for the Jews themselves, who in the Talmud forbade mourning for slaves.

κακῶς ἔχων. St Matthew says, ‘stricken with paralysis, and in terrible pain’ (Luke 8:6). St Luke, as a physician, may have omitted this specification because the description applies rather to tetanus than to “paralysis.”

ἤμελλεν τελευτᾶν. ‘Was on the point of death.’

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Luke 7:2

Old Testament

New Testament