Luke 7:2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

A certain centurion's servant,— In the notes on St. Matthew, we have spoken largely concerning this miracle, and have given, on Luke 7:13 of the eighth chapter, the arguments of there who think that the historians relate different transactions; at the same time harmonizing the accounts, and endeavouring to shew, according to our own private opinion, that they are one and the same. See on Matthew 8:5. In confirmation of this opinion, the following passage from Dr. Heylin is subjoined, nearly in his own words: "The narrative which St. Luke gives of the centurion's behaviour is larger and more distinct than that given in St. Matthew; and therefore we will put them both together, only premising, that as it is not unusual in all languages, so in the Hebrew particularly it is very usual, to ascribe to the person himself what has been spoken or done by his order. (See Matthew 11:2-3.) And accordingly, St. Matthew relates as said by the centurion himself, what was really spoken by those whom he had deputed to address our Lord on his behalf; which sufficientlyaccounts for the seeming difference which is found in the evangelists. The centurion was brought up under the heathen dispensation, but had attained to the knowledge of the one God; and, finding that fundamental truth so well established in the Jewish religion, had conceived a great affection to the Jewish nation, and done them all the good offices which lay in his power. His improvement also of the light given him under his inferior dispensation, had prepared him for the reception of the Gospel; and his knowledge of God in a general way, led him, through grace, by a just transition, to the acknowledgment of Christ as the God of nature; for whom therefore he had so aweful a veneration, that when he was to apply to him for the cure of his servant, he had recourse to the intercession of the elders of the Jewish church, who, at his request, came to Jesus, to entreat him that he would come and cure the sick servant, in consideration of his master who had sent them, and to whom they acknowledged great obligations. (Luke 7:4.) Jesus went along with them, as they desired; but while he was yet on the way, and not far from the house, the centurion, who had refrained from addressing Jesus in person, out of a humble sense of his own unworthiness, (and perhaps too from having observed how the more religious among the Jews made a scruple of conversing with the heathen, such as himself still was, to outward appearance;) when he heard that Christ was actually coming to his house, reflected with himself, upon more enlarged views of faith, that the intended visit was a needless condescension in our Lord, and therefore sent some of his friends to prevent it by the following message in his name, Luke 7:6, &c. 'Lord, do not give thyself farther trouble, for I am not a fit person that thou shouldst come under my roof; and that indeed was the reason why I judged myself unworthy to come to thee myself. Do thou but speak the word only, and my servant will be cured. For although I am under the authority of others, yet, as I have soldiers under me, I say to one, Go, and he goeth; to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.' As if he should have said, 'I am but a subaltern, and have only a delegated and subordinate power; yet what I bid be done, is immediately executed: thou then, who art Lord of nature, what canst not thou do by thy bare command?'—When Jesus heard this, he wondered, (Luke 7:9,) and turning about, he said to the people that followed him, 'I profess that I have not found so great a faith even among the Jews themselves.'" See Heylin, and on Matthew 8:10.