Luke 7:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A Roman centurion's beloved servant lies at the point of death in Capernaum.
What Does Luke 7:2 Mean?
A centurion commanded roughly a hundred soldiers — a Gentile officer of the occupying power. Luke introduces him not by his rank's harshness but by his affection: his servant is "dear unto him," and illness has brought the man to death's door.
The verse upends expectations from its first line. Where we might expect a hardened soldier, we meet a master who treasures a servant the world counted as property. Need is the great leveler: rank, nation, and command cannot hold back death. Luke loves to show the gospel finding people through their love for others — this officer's tenderness for a dying servant becomes the doorway through which he meets the Lord of life.
Luke 7:2 in the Original Language
entimos (ἔντιμος), 'dear' -- held in honor, precious, highly valued.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 7:2
What does Luke 7:2 mean?
A Roman centurion's beloved servant lies at the point of death in Capernaum.