Under Authority (2)

Luke 4:32 ESV

32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

Luke 4:36 ESV

36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”

The Gospel of Luke 4.4.1. The Healing of a Centurion’s Slave (7:1-10)

This centurion seems to know more than he ought! Luke’s readers know that Jesus has been commissioned by God and that the power of the Spirit is operative in his ministry; the centurion seems to act on the basis of similar awareness. In this way, he sets himself apart not only from the Jewish council in Capernaum, but also from those Jewish observers within the narrative thus far who fail to recognize or acknowledge the authority of Jesus (cf. 5:21; 6:2).

Luke 5:21 ESV

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Luke 6:2 ESV

2 But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

The Gospel of Luke 4.4.1. The Healing of a Centurion’s Slave (7:1-10)

As though the camera has been pulled back, we now have a wide-angle view of this encounter, with the presence of the crowd accompanying Jesus acknowledged for the first time (cf. v 1). That Luke has in mind a large mass of disciples is suggested by his designation of the crowd as “followers.”22 The addition of the crowd accents the dramatic quality of the proclamation to follow; similarly, Luke generally speaks of Jesus’ “turning” to speak in order to add emphasis to Jesus’ statement.23

The Gospel of Luke 4.4.1. The Healing of a Centurion’s Slave (7:1-10)

Unlike Israel, he recognizes Jesus’ authority and trusts that Jesus will exercise it on his behalf, even though, as a Gentile, even as one who had acted on behalf of Israel, he does not deserve such treatment.

Luke 3:7–9 ESV

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Seeing Ourseleves

What Jesus Sees

He sees the Centurians’s faith

He Elders see his works

Mark 6:6 ESV

6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.