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Explanation for:
Matthew
8
:
5
And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The leper approached Jesus as He descended from the mountain, and the centurion met Him when He arrived in Capernaum. Why didn't either of them ascend the mountain? It wasn't due to carelessness, as both possessed a deep faith; rather, it was to avoid disrupting His teaching."},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Continuing from this point, Matthew recounts the following: When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a centurion approached Him, saying, ‘Lord, my servant is at home in a state of great distress and is suffering greatly,’ concluding with the statement, ‘And his servant was healed at that moment.’ Luke, on the other hand, introduces the story of the centurion’s servant right after the Sermon on the Mount, thereby connecting the two events: After He had finished speaking all His words to the listening crowd, He entered Capernaum. A centurion had a servant whom he valued, and he was gravely ill, leading up to the affirmation that the servant was restored to health. The account of the leper’s cleansing is documented separately. It appears that Jesus entered Capernaum following His discourse, yet the time that passed between these occurrences is uncertain. During this interval, the leper was cleansed, as Matthew mentions first while Luke addresses it subsequently. Thus, we have established that there is a shared agreement between Matthew and Luke regarding this centurion's servant. In Matthew’s account, he states: The centurion came to Him, requesting, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home in distress.’ At first glance, Luke’s narrative seems to differ, as he writes: When he heard about Jesus, he sent the Jewish elders to implore Him to come and heal his servant. They earnestly approached Jesus, saying, ‘He is deserving of Your assistance because he loves our people and has built us a synagogue.’ Jesus agreed to go with them, but when He was near the centurion's home, the centurion sent his friends to convey this message: ‘Do not trouble Yourself, Lord, for I am not worthy for You to enter under my roof.’ If Luke’s account is accurate, how can Matthew assert that the centurion came to Him, when he actually sent friends instead? This can be understood if we consider that Matthew may have employed a particular phraseology. We often express a desire to ‘find a way’ without necessarily implying a direct approach; if one can achieve their goals through intermediaries, prayer and intercession become even more potent through others. Therefore, it is not inconsistent for Matthew to seek brevity, even if the centurion’s approach to Christ was indirect through his friends. Notice the profound mystery present in the Evangelist’s words, resonating with the Psalmist’s invitation: Come to Him and be enlightened. This is why Jesus commended the centurion’s faith when he sought Him, saying, ‘I have not found such great faith in Israel.’ Hence, the wise evangelist preferred to say that the centurion himself approached Jesus rather than referring to those who carried his request. Luke elaborated on the manner of the encounter so that we might comprehend how the centurion approached Him, echoed by another who is infallible. Just as the woman with the issue of blood touched merely the fringe of His garment, yet her faith was more profound than that of the crowds pressing around Him, so it is that a believer who places greater faith touches the Lord more deeply. Thus, in the same manner, the centurion’s faith brought him closer to the Lord. As for other elements mentioned in this chapter, which one gospel writer may have omitted while another included, there is no contradiction if we adhere to the well-established understanding we have previously articulated."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The centurion chose not to ascend the mountain to avoid disrupting the teaching. This is the same centurion mentioned by the evangelist Luke. While Luke indicates that he sent others as messengers to Jesus, this does not conflict with Matthew’s account, which states that the centurion approached personally. Clearly, the centurion initially dispatched others, but as the situation became more urgent, he took it upon himself to go and speak, (see Matthew 8:6)."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The centurion was a non-Jew by origin, a soldier by trade, commanding a hundred men, a worshiper of false gods, yet a benefactor to the people of Judah, for whom he had constructed a place of worship (Luke 7:5). His servant remained lethargic and motionless at home, enduring such extreme anguish and distress that he was on the brink of death. Upon hearing of the miraculous deeds performed by our Lord Jesus Christ and knowing He had arrived in Capernaum, the centurion first dispatched the elders of the Jews, as the holy Luke recounts, followed by friends who would plead on his behalf. Eventually, he personally approached Jesus to share the plight of his servant. “Lord,” he implored, “my servant is at home, paralyzed and suffering intense torment.” These were the words of the centurion, yet when he sought healing for his servant, the God-Man Jesus anticipated his request. Even before he could articulate, “I ask You, Lord, to heal him,” the Lord declared that His request would be granted."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Capernaum: see the reference in Matthew 4:13. A centurion refers to the leader of a hundred Roman soldiers, who were stationed to maintain order in various cities of Judea, which was under Roman rule. Although he was of Gentile ancestry (see Lk. 8:10), he likely had a favorable disposition toward Judaism and the Jewish people (as indicated in Lk. 7 and related passages). This openness to the Jewish faith led him to take a keen interest in the miraculous acts of Jesus, fostering a belief in Him. In this faith, he approached Christ, seeking the healing of his servant."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Following these occurrences, Jesus arrived in Capernaum. Both Matthew and Luke mention that He entered Capernaum, suggesting His presence in the vicinity of that city. This is further supported by tradition, which identifies the so-called Mount of Beatitudes located near Capernaum, where Jesus preached His Sermon on the Mount."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When the Saviour reached Capernaum, where He was staying temporarily, a group of Jewish elders, likely leaders of the primary synagogue, approached Him with a request on behalf of a centurion. This centurion had a faithful and cherished servant who had fallen seriously ill. It might seem surprising that the Jewish elders were so involved with someone who, as a Gentile, was an outsider. They clarified, however, that he had shown deep love for their community—a rare quality among Gentiles, as Jews were typically viewed with contempt. Remarkably, this centurion had even constructed a synagogue at his own expense, recognized as the most beautiful and grand in Capernaum. Their appeal to Jesus indicates that this encounter occurred in the early stages of His ministry, a time when the people were filled with wonder and hope, before the profound hostility that would arise later."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Following the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus Christ arrived in Capernaum. There lived a centurion of the Roman army, a Gentile by birth, though possibly a secret convert to Judaism. Upon learning of the miraculous healings performed by Jesus, he felt compelled to make a humble appeal for the healing of his cherished servant, who was suffering greatly and had become gravely ill. Recognizing his status as a Gentile and deeming himself unworthy to approach the Lord directly, he sent Jewish elders to petition Jesus on his behalf. They urged Him, saying: \\"Lord, my servant is at home paralyzed, suffering terribly,\\" and they added, \\"He is deserving of Your help, for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.\\""},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"From the Mount of Beatitudes, Jesus journeyed to Capernaum. There was a Roman officer who had a servant he greatly valued, and that servant was gravely ill. Upon hearing that Jesus had arrived in the town, the centurion chose to seek Jesus's help to heal his servant. However, as a Gentile, he felt unworthy to approach Jesus directly, so he sent some Jewish elders to make his request on his behalf. They earnestly urged Jesus, explaining that the centurion was well-disposed toward the Jewish people and had contributed much to their welfare. Jesus agreed to accompany them. \\n\\nExhibiting extraordinary faith and humility, particularly for a Gentile, the centurion sent word to Jesus when He was not far from his home, saying, \\"Do not trouble Yourself, Lord, for I am not worthy for You to enter under my roof. But only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.\\" The centurion believed that Jesus's sovereign command would surely cure his servant, just as his own commands were unerringly obeyed by his soldiers. \\n\\nJesus was astonished by such a display of faith from a Gentile and remarked that He had not found such faith in all of Israel. Furthermore, He prophesied that many Gentiles would demonstrate greater faith and enter the kingdom of God, while many of the original children of the kingdom would be cast out. Subsequently, the Lord answered the centurion's plea, and at that very hour, his servant was healed, so that when the messengers returned, they found him completely well."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord soon arrived in the city accompanied by the newly appointed apostles. Awaiting them was an extraordinary gathering that astonished the Lord Himself and provided the apostles with pivotal insights for their future mission. A Roman centurion residing there had a beloved servant who was gravely ill. Though he was born a Gentile, he held the Jewish faith in high regard and had even constructed a synagogue for the community in Capernaum. He might have been a proselyte of a lesser status. Having heard of the Lord's miraculous deeds, he believed in their truth and recognized the divine authority behind them, feeling reverent towards the miracle worker. Eager to assist his servant but lacking conventional means, he remained hopeful in Jesus’ all-healing abilities. However, he also felt unworthy to directly request the Lord's presence, considering himself a Gentile who might not warrant such attention. Unaware of the Lord’s nature, he perceived Him through the perspective of other Jews, who generally disdained interaction with Gentiles. Ultimately, recognizing the urgency, he resolved to seek assistance through the Jewish elders. As the Lord responded to the appeal, the centurion, feeling his unworthiness and exhibiting faith in the Lord’s power, implored through his friends for Jesus not to go out of His way, believing that merely a word from Him would restore the sick servant, just as a command suffices for him to instruct his subordinates. Such exceptional faith in the divine power of the Lord had never before been seen, particularly from a Gentile. The Lord graciously honored the centurion’s request and, addressing the apostles, proclaimed, “I have not found such great faith, even in Israel.” He further revealed that many would come from the East and the West to recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom, those Jews who were seen as natural heirs, would be cast into outer darkness."}]}
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