It is an interesting feature of the New Testament that every reference to a centurion presents them in a good light Following are the examples
Matthew 8.5-13 – the centurion of Capernaum, whose faith amazed Jesus
Luke 23:47 – the centurion at the cross who, seeing what was done, “glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man”
Acts 10 – Cornelius, first gentile to be converted in the ecclesial era
Acts 27:43 – the centurion in charge of the prisoners who wanted to save Paul.
The most detailed information is given in regard to the centurion at Capernaum and Cornelius.
The centurion of Capernaum
The setting is about two years into the ministry of Christ near Capernaum on the western shore of Galilee. A group of Jews came to Jesus from the synagogue in that town seeking Jesus’ help for a Roman centurion living nearby. The centurion was deeply concerned over one of his servants who was in a great deal of pain and had found no cure for his sickness.
The fact that leading Jews should put themselves out over two gentile men is certainly a strong witness of the quality of these two men. Unlike most Romans in the country, this centurion enjoyed the friendship of the Jews; “He loves our nation, and himself built us our synagogue.” The fact he went so far as to personally finance the building of a synagogue is a remarkable measure of this gentile’s friendship for the Jews he ruled over, and for their religion. It also indicates that he was a wealthy man.
And now this generous, compassionate man was desperate with anxiety over his sick servant “who was dear to him” (Luke 7:2 NKJV).
A lesson in compassion
This centurion was extraordinary! He was generous and gracious to a captive nation, he had great concern for his suffering slave and couldn’t rest until he found some solution to his slave’s suffering. Both the nation of Israel and his slave were “under” the centurion. He could have treated them all with indifference, even disdain. But he didn’t.
How do we treat and care for those “under” us? Younger brothers and sisters? Those who work for us or are just learning our trade? And for our youngsters, they need to consider how they treat younger ones who love to be with them at meeting and at Bible schools.
The centurion seeks help
The centurion’s servant was desperately sick — “ready to die” (Lk. 7:2 NKIV), “paralyzed, dreadfully tormented” (Matt. 8:6 NKIV). The man was in agony and the centurion was grieved. So he sent elders of the Jews to Jesus, “pleading with him to come and heal his servant.”
Possibly the centurion had heard of the healing of the nobleman’s son at Capernaum (John 4:46-54), a miracle which was, in fact, performed at a distance. As members of the upper level of society in the area, no doubt the nobleman and centurion were good friends and the centurion’s faith would be strengthened by the nobleman’s experience.
The centurion’s consideration for Jesus
Luke 7:4,5 portrays the elders as pressing their plea to Jesus; they begged him earnestly, saying that the centurion was “worthy, for he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.” Did the Jews have doubts that Jesus would enter the house of a Roman? They would know that it could have ruined his reputation among the Jews.
Jesus consented to go with them. But when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent more friends saying, “Lord, do not trouble yourself (to come to the house), for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.”
What exceptional insight and thoughtfulness on the part of the centurion! He was familiar enough with Jewish sensitivities and feelings to know that for Jesus to enter a gentile house would cause sharp criticism and hamper his work.
Here was the centurion, desperately anxious for his much-loved servant to be healed, yet in spite of his great anxiety, he also thought about the reputation and future work of Jesus. When we’re very worried and concerned about a problem in our lives, do we spare a little time and concern for others, or are we totally wrapped up in only ourselves?
The great faith of the centurion
It is notable that the centurion didn’t say, “For I am a man set in authority…” He said, “For I also am a man set under authority…” The word “also” stresses a similarity in status between himself and Jesus. In effect he said, “My men obey every command of mine because I am under the authority of Caesar. They obey my orders because behind me is the supreme authority of the Emperor Caesar. But I recognize that you, Jesus, are under the direction of one greater than Caesar. Behind you is the authority of God. So you can but speak the words, and my slave will be healed.”
Jesus “marveled” and said, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” Don’t miss the powerful point. This gentile soldier understood what no one else realized – Jesus was the Son of God and would be the conduit of God’s blessing to all nations!
Cornelius, the centurion of Acts 10
The other centurion who is given a fairly full report is Cornelius. To appreciate the narrative we need to review some background points.
Israel was told to be separate from the nations but they misunderstood the lesson of their separation. They believed it was because they were superior and worthy. They felt they were pure and special “by nature,” and the gentiles were sinful and unclean “by nature.” In fact, the reason God commanded Israel to be separate was to encourage them to be holy, separated from the idolatry of the nations around them.
The lesson of separation was taught in rules governing aspects of everyday life, including regulations regarding which animals were acceptable to eat. Animals were declared clean if they were cloven-footed and chewed the cud.
Interestingly, both of these characteristics brought with them spiritual lessons. The cloven footed animals are sure of foot as the person of God is to be steady and dependable, walking as God desires. Chewing the cud speaks to us that a faithful disciple must recall what he has read in the word of God and mentally chew upon it.
Preparation of Peter
This story is set in a transitional time when the hope of salvation, the gospel, was being offered to Jews and also to gentiles. Many Jewish people accepted the gospel call and converted from Judaism to Christianity. But what the Jewish believers found hard to understand is that the gentiles were also invited to repent from their sins and be baptized into the Truth.
Peter was a devout Jew who responded to the gospel, but still remained loyal to many of the regulations of the Law of Moses. Now Peter, the devout Jew and follower of Christ, was given the assignment to take the gospel in an official way to the gentile centurion, Cornelius. God had to prepare him for this job because Peter, along with other devout Jews, believed gentiles were unclean.
Cornelius
Cornelius was a Roman centurion living in Caesarea. He was a devout, God-fearing man who gave generously to help needy people. Cornelius was not baptized at this time, yet his prayers were heard. The lesson is clear that our unbaptized children should be encouraged in the practice of prayer. The point is also clear that God is concerned about the heart and not whether a person is a Jew or Gentile. Cornelius received this message in dramatic fashion, for one day an angel appeared in a vision, assuring him his good deeds and his prayers had pleased God. Now he must send men to Joppa for Peter who would tell him what he must do.
As the messengers approached Joppa, Peter, who was praying on the housetop, became very hungry and a vision appeared to him of unclean animals, birds and creeping things. Commanded to kill and eat, Peter refused, saying he had never eaten anything unclean. Yet God was teaching Peter a lesson: “What God has cleansed you must not call common [or unclean]” (Acts 10:15).
The gospel to the gentiles
The next day Peter and some brethren from Joppa journeyed to Caesarea to meet Cornelius and the friends he had gathered in the house. When Cornelius told Peter of his own vision, it became clear God was calling this devout man and many of his friends to the gospel.
Obedient to his calling, Peter declared: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears him and works righteousness is accepted by him.. .to him (Christ) all the prophets witness that, through his name, whoever believes in him will receive remission of sins (vs. 34,35,43).
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard his words. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were astonished that the Holy Spirit was being given to the unbaptized gentiles also.
Lessons for us
Cornelius was a God-fearing man who was full of good works and prayed constantly, but his “goodness” wasn’t enough. Cornelius had to be baptized to have his sins forgiven.
We should also note Cornelius wanted as many as possible to benefit from God’s blessings. He was kind to the Jews (v. 22) and called his relatives and close friends to hear Peter. The example of Cornelius shows us the type of person God wants the gospel to reach: a God fearing, generous, devout person.
If the Lord were to write up a review of our life so far, what would it say? Do we have a respectful attitude towards God? Are we generous with our possessions? Do we pray daily? Do we try to obey God and please Him?
A consideration of these two Roman soldiers gives us an interesting basis for our own self-examination.
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