Saturday, February 18, 2006
Roman Military
Matt. 8:1, 5-6
1. And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
5. And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him,
6. and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain."
Luke 7:1-2
1. When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
We continue in Luke’s chronology as we find that when He had completed all His discourse, or Sermon on the Mount, in the hearing of, not only the twelve, but the people who had come from all around to see this famous Jew. Capernaum is the next stop on His itinerary. Matthew tells us that great multitudes followed Him when He had come down from the mountain. He also agrees with Luke in that the next stop was Capernaum.
When we continue to contrast the two accounts we enter into some difficulty. Matthew tells us that a centurion came to Him, entreating Him, and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain." Luke’s diagnosis is: a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
The centurion was the backbone of the Roman army. Their job was to oversee a century, or a group of 100 men. 60 centuries made up the Roman Legion of 6000 men. He was the commander of the troops and victory in battle was dependent on his direction. He had to maintain high morale and the trust of his men along with being a wise warrior. In his particular century there was a certain individual stricken with a terminal illness. This individual Luke calls his slave – doulos – a servant of voluntary or involuntary subjection. It is obvious that this individual was under this centurion’s direction but Matthew used the word “pais” – a child; in this case a boy. In these words and action we see that this leader is especially concerned for this particular soldier.
1. And when He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
5. And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him,
6. and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain."
Luke 7:1-2
1. When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
2. And a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
We continue in Luke’s chronology as we find that when He had completed all His discourse, or Sermon on the Mount, in the hearing of, not only the twelve, but the people who had come from all around to see this famous Jew. Capernaum is the next stop on His itinerary. Matthew tells us that great multitudes followed Him when He had come down from the mountain. He also agrees with Luke in that the next stop was Capernaum.
When we continue to contrast the two accounts we enter into some difficulty. Matthew tells us that a centurion came to Him, entreating Him, and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain." Luke’s diagnosis is: a certain centurion's slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.
The centurion was the backbone of the Roman army. Their job was to oversee a century, or a group of 100 men. 60 centuries made up the Roman Legion of 6000 men. He was the commander of the troops and victory in battle was dependent on his direction. He had to maintain high morale and the trust of his men along with being a wise warrior. In his particular century there was a certain individual stricken with a terminal illness. This individual Luke calls his slave – doulos – a servant of voluntary or involuntary subjection. It is obvious that this individual was under this centurion’s direction but Matthew used the word “pais” – a child; in this case a boy. In these words and action we see that this leader is especially concerned for this particular soldier.
# posted by Castusfumus : 6:52 PM
