That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been

SOLD BY MESS. CREECH, HILL, OGLE & AIKMAN, CONSTABLE & CO. MANNERS
& MILLER, LAING, AND GUTHRIE & TAIT, EDINBURGH; M. OGLE,
GLASGOW; E. LESLIE, DUNDEE; LONGMAN & REES,

BUTTON, WILLIAMS, AND OGLE, LONDON.

1804.

PARAPHRASE & COMMENTARY

ON THE

HARMONY OF THE FOUR GOSPELS.

SECT.

XXXIX.

Jefus cures a Centurion's flave in Capernaum.
Luke vii. 1,-10. See § 28.

JAVING finished his fermon, Jefus went into Capernaum
and cured a centurion's flave who was dangerously ill.
Luke vii. 1. Now when be bad ended all his fayings in the audi-
ence of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2. And a certain
centurion's fervant, who was dear unto him, was fick and ready
to die. 3. And when be heard of Jefus, be* fent unto him the
elders of the Jews, befeeching him that he would come and heal
bis fervant This centurion feems to have been what they call-
ed a profelyte of righteousness; for he was a lover of the Jewish
nation on account of their religion, and had built them a fyna-
gogue for worship, probably in fome heathen country, the inha-
bitants of Capernaum ftanding in no need of fuch a favour.
attachment to the Jews, and his uncommon generofity, could not
fail to make him greatly beloved in that country.-Hence the
elders of Capernaum, where he now refided, heartily efpoufed
his cause on this occafion, for they presented his petition to Jefus,
and urged it from the confideration of his character.
when they came to Jefus, they befought him inftantly, faying, That

His

4. And

worthy for whom he should do this. 5. For he loveth our nation, and be hath built us a fynagogue.-Jefus, who embraced every opportunity of doing good, whether to the bodies or fouls of men, did not decline this that was now offered to him. He cheerfully went with the elders as they defired: But in the way, fome of the centurion's friends whom he had fent, met Je

VOL. II.

* Ver. 3. Sent unto him the elders of the Jews.] Thefe elders were not the moft aged perfons in Capernaum, but either the magiftrates of the town, or the rulers of the fynagogue, (agxiruvayayoi). For as it was anciently the cuftom of the Jews, to intruft the management of public affairs to perfons advanced in years, as having moft wifdom and experience, they called all who difcharged thofe offices elders, even when in later times they were admitted to them, without any regard to their age at all.

18342