Luke 7:2

a certain centurion" s servant Literally, "slave"The word used by St Matthew (pais)might mean son, but is clearly also used for servant (like the Latin puer).A centurion is a captain;under him is a sergeant (dekadarch), and above him a colonel (c hiliarch), and general (hegemon).Jos. B. J.v. 12, § 2. All the centurions in the N.T. are favourably mentioned (Luke 23:47; Acts 27:43).

dear Rather, precious. The love of the captain for his servant was a good example for the Jews themselves, who in the Talmud forbade mourning for slaves.

sick 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 tetanusthan to the strict use of "paralysis."

ready to die Rather, was on the point of death.