Luke 7:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} a certain {G5100} centurion's {G1543} servant {G1401}, who {G3739} was {G2258} dear {G1784} unto him {G846}, was {G2192} sick {G2560}, and ready {G3195} to die {G5053}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A Roman army officer there had a servant he regarded highly, who was sick to the point of death.

Berean Standard Bible

There a highly valued servant of a centurion was sick and about to die.

American Standard Version

And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick and at the point of death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:2 introduces a Roman centurion whose beloved servant is gravely ill and on the brink of death, setting the stage for a profound encounter with Jesus. This verse immediately establishes a narrative of urgent human suffering and an unexpected display of compassion from a military officer, highlighting the dire circumstances that compel him to seek divine intervention for someone typically considered a mere possession in that era.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' completion of His teachings to the people, as noted in [Luke 7:1](/luke/7-1 "Luke 7:1 - Jesus Enters Capernaum"). The narrative transitions from Jesus' discourse to a practical demonstration of His authority and compassion. The centurion's plea for his servant's healing serves as the catalyst for one of Jesus' most significant miracles, showcasing His power over sickness and death, and His willingness to engage with those outside the traditional Jewish fold. The subsequent verses detail the centurion's extraordinary faith, which Jesus commends, making this encounter a pivotal moment in Luke's Gospel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Capernaum, a bustling town on the Sea of Galilee, which served as a significant center for Jesus' ministry. The presence of a "centurion" underscores the Roman occupation of Judea, a reality that deeply impacted Jewish life. Centurions were highly respected Roman army officers, known for their discipline, courage, and leadership, typically commanding around 100 soldiers. In Roman society, servants (or slaves) were often viewed as property, with their well-being largely dependent on their master's disposition. The centurion's deep affection and concern for his servant ("dear unto him") was remarkably counter-cultural, challenging prevailing social norms and highlighting his unusual character, which would later be reflected in his humility and faith.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 7:2 introduces several key themes that resonate throughout the chapter and the broader Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **Compassion Across Social Divides**, as the centurion, a powerful Roman officer, demonstrates profound care for his low-status servant, transcending typical societal hierarchies. Secondly, the servant's critical state, "sick, and ready to die," emphasizes the **Urgency of Human Suffering** and the desperate need for divine intervention, which often serves as a catalyst for seeking Jesus. Finally, the introduction of a **Gentile Figure** (the centurion) into the narrative is significant. His prominent role and impending display of extraordinary faith foreshadow the universal reach of the Gospel and Jesus' ministry, extending salvation and healing beyond the Jewish people, a theme particularly emphasized in Luke's Gospel, as seen in passages like [Luke 2:32](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - Simeon's Prophecy of Gentile Light") and [Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Repentance and Forgiveness for All Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos'_):** From G1401, meaning "a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):--bond(-man), servant." This word emphasizes the social status of the individual, highlighting that he was not a free man but under the authority of the centurion. Yet, the subsequent description of him being "dear" elevates his personal value beyond mere property.
* **dear (Greek, _éntimos'_):** From G1784, meaning "valued (figuratively):--dear, more honourable, precious, in reputation." This term is crucial as it reveals the centurion's unusual and profound affection for his servant. In a society where slaves were often disposable, this word indicates that the servant was highly esteemed, cherished, and held in honor by his master, demonstrating a remarkable bond and the centurion's compassionate character.
* **to die (Greek, _teleutáō'_):** From G5053, meaning "to finish life (by implication, of βίος), i.e. expire (demise):--be dead, decease, die." This word underscores the gravity and finality of the servant's condition. He was not merely ill, but at the very precipice of death, emphasizing the desperate urgency of the situation and the immediate need for a miraculous intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a certain centurion's servant":** This introduces the key figures in the narrative: a Roman centurion, a symbol of foreign authority and military power, and his servant, representing a vulnerable and low-status individual in society. The "certain" implies a specific, though unnamed, individual whose story is about to unfold.
* **"who was dear unto him":** This phrase immediately establishes the unusual and compassionate nature of the centurion. In a cultural context where servants were often treated as property, the centurion's deep affection and high regard for his servant are striking and set him apart, laying the groundwork for understanding his subsequent actions.
* **"was sick":** This indicates the initial state of the servant's physical ailment, signaling a condition that requires attention and intervention. It establishes the problem that Jesus is called to address.
* **"and ready to die":** This intensifies the servant's condition, moving beyond mere sickness to a critical, life-threatening state. The phrase conveys the extreme urgency and desperation of the situation, indicating that the servant's life was hanging by a thread and that time was of the essence for any potential healing.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 7:2 employs several **literary devices** to effectively set the scene. **Characterization** is immediately evident in the portrayal of the centurion, whose unusual compassion for his servant ("who was dear unto him") is highlighted, making him a sympathetic and intriguing figure even before his faith is revealed. This detail also serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the extraordinary character and faith that the centurion will demonstrate later in the narrative. The dire condition of the servant, "sick, and ready to die," creates **pathos**, eliciting sympathy from the reader and emphasizing the desperate need for intervention. This stark reality also builds **suspense**, as the reader anticipates how this critical situation will be resolved, especially given Jesus' reputation for healing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:2, though brief, is rich with theological implications. It immediately challenges the prevailing social hierarchies of the time, revealing God's impartial concern for all individuals, regardless of their status or origin. The centurion's deep care for his servant foreshadows the radical inclusivity of the Kingdom of God, where love and compassion transcend human-made distinctions. It underscores that true value is not found in social standing or power, but in the inherent dignity of every human life, created in God's image. This verse also sets the stage for a demonstration of extraordinary faith from an unexpected source, highlighting that God's grace and healing are available to all who believe, even those considered "outsiders."

* [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Centurion's Faith")
* [John 4:46-54](/john/4-46-54 "John 4:46-54 - The Healing of the Royal Official's Son")
* [James 2:1-9](/james/2-1-9 "James 2:1-9 - Impartiality and Love for Neighbor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:2 presents a powerful invitation for personal reflection on our own values and priorities. The centurion's profound affection for his servant challenges us to examine how we view and treat those around us, especially those in positions of vulnerability or those we might consider "beneath" us in social standing. Do we extend genuine compassion and care to all, or are our affections limited by social status, utility, or personal gain? This verse reminds us that true leadership and humanity are often revealed in how we care for the least among us. Furthermore, the servant's desperate condition highlights the reality of human suffering and our own limitations in the face of sickness and death. It prompts us to consider where we turn when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, encouraging us to seek divine intervention with the same urgency and humility that the centurion would soon demonstrate. Ultimately, this verse calls us to cultivate a heart of selfless compassion and to be people who intercede earnestly for others, recognizing that every life is precious in God's sight.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the centurion's care for his servant challenge my own assumptions about social status and human value?**
* **In what ways can I demonstrate greater compassion and genuine concern for those in my sphere of influence, particularly those who might be overlooked or marginalized?**
* **What desperate circumstances in my life or the lives of others am I being called to bring before Jesus with humble and earnest prayer?**

### FAQ
**Who was this centurion, and why was his concern for his servant so notable?**

Answer: The centurion was a Roman army officer, typically commanding 100 soldiers, stationed in Capernaum, a town in Galilee. His concern for his servant was highly notable because, in Roman society, servants (or slaves) were generally considered property, often treated with indifference or even harshness. The text explicitly states the servant "was dear unto him," using the Greek word *éntimos* (G1784), which signifies that the servant was highly valued, precious, and held in honor. This deep affection and humane treatment of a subordinate was a remarkable exception to the cultural norms of the time, highlighting the centurion's compassionate character even before his extraordinary faith is revealed in [Luke 7:9](/luke/7-9 "Luke 7:9 - Jesus Marvels at the Centurion's Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:2, by introducing a Gentile centurion's profound compassion for his dying servant, subtly yet powerfully points to the expansive and inclusive nature of Christ's redemptive work. In Jesus, the traditional barriers between Jew and Gentile, master and servant, are transcended. The centurion's unusual love for his servant foreshadows the radical love of Christ, who did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). The desperate condition of the servant, "ready to die," mirrors the spiritual state of all humanity apart from Christ, sick unto death in sin ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Jesus, as the ultimate healer and life-giver, steps into this scene of human helplessness, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness and death, which He would ultimately conquer through His resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). This encounter, initiated by a Gentile's plea, prefigures the universal reach of the Gospel, revealing that Christ's compassion and salvation are not limited by ethnicity or social standing, but are freely offered to all who, like the centurion, approach Him with humility and faith ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 5:2

And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.

2 Kings 5:3

And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord [were] with the prophet that [is] in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

John 4:46

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

John 4:47

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Genesis 24:27

And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I [being] in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

Matthew 27:54

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Genesis 24:2

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: