2. Centurion (éxatovrdpyov). From éxatov, a hundred, and dpxe, to command. Commander of a hundred men. Mark uses KevTupiov, a Graecized form of the Latin word centurio. A centuria was originally a division consisting of a hundred things of a kind; and thence came to mean any division, whether con- sisting of a hundred or not. In military language it meant a di- vision of troops, a company, not necessarily of a hundred, the captain of which was called centurio. The numbers of a cen- tury varied from about fifty to a hundred. The Roman legion consisted of ten cohorts or omreipas, bands, as “ the Italian band,” of which Cornelius was a centurion (Acts x. 1). The command- ers of these cohorts were called chiliarchs, or chief captains
320 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. VII.
(John xviii. 12, Rev.). Each cohort contained six centuries, or companies, of which the commanders were called centurions. The duty of the centurion was chiefly confined to the regulation of his own corps, and the care of the watch. The badge of his oftice was the vitis, or vine-stock. He wore a short tunic, and was also known by letters on the crest of his helmet. Dean Howson (“ Companions of St. Paul”) remarks on the favorable impression left upon the mind by the officers of the Roman army mentioned in the New Testament, and cites, besides the centu- rion in this passage, the one at the cross, and Julius, who es- corted Paul to Rome. See, further, on Acts x. 1.
Servant (Sodd0s). A bond-servant. Matthew has sais, a servant, which occurs also at ver. 7.
Dear (&vtupos). Lit., held in honor or value. It does not necessarily imply an affectionate relation between the master and the servant, though such may well have existed. It may mean only that he was a valuable servant. See on 1 Pet. ii. 4. In this case Luke omits the mention of the disease, which is given by Matthew.
Beseeching (€pwrav). Too strong. Better asking, as Rev. The word to beseech (wapaxadéw) occurs in the next verse. See on Matt. xv. 23.
Heal (Gvacwon). Better as Rev., save. See on ch. vi. 19.
4. They besought him instantly (zapexddouv crrovdalws). On besought, see on ch. vi. 24. Instantly, which commonly means at once, is used in its older meaning, pressingly, from the Latin instare, to urge or press upon. So Rom. xii. 12, “instant in prayer.” Wye., prayed busily.
That he was worthy (67: d&s éotw). The A. V. renders ért as a conjunction, that. The Rev., more correctly, takes it as a mark of quotation, besides properly rendering éorwy ds, in- stead of was. Render as Rev., He is worthy that thow shouldst
Cu. VIL] LUKE. 821
do this ; for the best texts read wapé£y, the second person, thou shouldst do, instead of the third person, wapé£e, he shald do.
5. He hath built (adtds @xodounoevr), He is emphatic; him- self, at his own expense.
A synagogue (ry cvvaywyiv). The article, “the syna- gogue,” marks the particular synagogue which these elders represented. Hence Rev., rightly, “our synagogue.” “He did not merely avoid profaning the synagogue ” (Bengel).
6. Went (ézopevero). The imperfect tense is explained by what follows. He was going, was on the way, when he was met by the second messenger from the centurion.
Friends. Possibly kinsmen, not eders now.
Trouble (cxvArov). Lit., worry. See on Matt. ix. 36; Mark v. 35.
Worthy (ixavos). Lit., sufficient. Compare Matt. iii. 11, “ worthy to bear ;” and 2 Cor. iii. 5, “ not that we are sufficient (‘xavol), but our sufficiency (ikavorns) is of God.” It is also used in the sense of much, many, long. See ch. vii. 123 viii. OT oes Xx, 02 Rete 1x.123,
7. Sayin aword. Lit., “say wath a word.”
My servant shall be healed (/a9j7w 0 mais pod). It is strange that the Rev. should have omitted to note the impera- tive mood here, at least in the margin. The literal rendering is the more graphic: Let my servant be healed. Note the pro- fessional word for heal. See on ch. vi. 19.