And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. These centurions were Roman officers, so called from being captains over 100 soldiers. Though a pagan by birth and early training, he had become acquainted with the Jewish religion probably either while quartered at Capernaum or in some other Galilee town; although there were so many proselytes to the Jewish religion in all the principal Greek and Roman cities that he might have embraced the true Faith even before his arrival in the Holy Land. The same may be said of Cornelius (Acts 10:1). His character appears here in the most beautiful light. The value which he set upon this dying servant and his anxiety for his recovery-as if he had been his own son-is the first feature in it; because, as Dr. Hall observes, he is unworthy to be well served who will not sometimes wait upon his followers. This servant was "sick of the palsy, grievously tormented" (Matthew 8:6).