Reference: Centurion
American
A Roman officer commanding a hundred soldiers; similar to "captain" in modern times. Several centurions are mentioned with honor in the New Testament, Mr 15:39; Lu 7:1-10; and the first fruits to Christ from the Gentiles was the generous and devout Cornelius, Ac 10.
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And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that he so expired, said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
When he had ended all his discourse in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. And a certain centurions servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and about to die. read more. And having heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, and besought him to come and save his servant. And they came to Jesus, and besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldst do this for him; for he loveth our nation, and himself built the synagogue for us. And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; on which account I did not think myself worthy to come to thee; but command with a word, and let my servant be healed. For even I am a man set under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. And Jesus hearing this, wondered at him; and turning round said to the multitude that followed him, I say to you, Not even in Israel have I found such faith. And they who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well.
Easton
a Roman officer in command of a hundred men (Mr 15:39,44-45). Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, was a centurion (Ac 10:1,22). Other centurions are mentioned in 8/5/type/noyes'>Mt 8:5,8,13; Lu 7:2,6; Ac 21:32; 22:25-26; 23/17/type/noyes'>23:17,23; 24:23; 27:1,6,11,31,43; 28:16. A centurion watched the crucifixion of our Lord (Mt 27:54; Lu 23:47), and when he saw the wonders attending it, exclaimed, "Truly this man was the Son of God." "The centurions mentioned in the New Testament are uniformly spoken of in terms of praise, whether in the Gospels or in the Acts. It is interesting to compare this with the statement of Polybius (vi. 24), that the centurions were chosen by merit, and so were men remarkable not so much for their daring courage as for their deliberation, constancy, and strength of mind.", Dr. Maclear's N. T. Hist.
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And when he had entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,
But the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; but only command with a word, and my servant will be made well.
And Jesus said to the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was made well in that hour.
And the centurion and they who with him were watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and what was taking place, were exceedingly afraid, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
And the centurion who stood over against him, seeing that he so expired, said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
And Pilate wondered that he was already dead; and calling to him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been long dead. And having been informed by the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
And a certain centurions servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and about to die.
And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof;
And the centurion, seeing what was done, gave glory to God, saying, Surely this was a righteous man.
Now a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee to his house, and to hear words from thee.
who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And seeing the chief captain and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul.
But when they had stretched him out with the cords, Paul said to the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard this, he went and told the chief captain, saying, What art thou about to do? For this man is a Roman.
Then Paul called one of the centurions to him, and said, Take this young man to the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.
And he called to him two of the centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night;
He also gave orders to the centurion to guard him, and let him have indulgence, and not to forbid any of his friends to do him service.
And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.
And there the centurion, finding a ship of Alexandria about to sail for Italy, put us on board of it.
But the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than what was spoken by Paul.
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, If these men do not stay in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Fausets
It is a propriety in the New Testament that centurions are so often favorably noticed. Good conduct was generally the cause of their promotion to the command of a century (properly 100 men). Truthful straightforwardness would make them open to conviction. For instance, the one whose faith Jesus so commends in Matthew 8; Cornelius, whom Peter was by vision sent to, and who is described as "devout, fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and praying to God always" (Acts 10); Julius, the centurion of Augustus' band, who entreated Paul courteously and saved his life when threatened by the soldiers (Ac 27:1,3-43). In Ac 24:23 translate "the centurion," namely, the commander of the horse who had conveyed Paul to Caesarea after the other of the two centurions had come back with the infantry (compare Ac 23:23,32). The centurion at the Lord's crucifixion uttered the testimony so remarkable from a Gentile: "certainly this was a righteous man"; Luke's explanation (Lu 23:47) of what a Gentile would mean by saying, "Truly this was the Son of God" (Mt 27:54).
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And the centurion and they who with him were watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and what was taking place, were exceedingly afraid, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
And the centurion and they who with him were watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and what was taking place, were exceedingly afraid, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
And the centurion, seeing what was done, gave glory to God, saying, Surely this was a righteous man.
And the centurion, seeing what was done, gave glory to God, saying, Surely this was a righteous man.
And he called to him two of the centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night;
And he called to him two of the centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night;
But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the castle.
But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the castle.
He also gave orders to the centurion to guard him, and let him have indulgence, and not to forbid any of his friends to do him service.
He also gave orders to the centurion to guard him, and let him have indulgence, and not to forbid any of his friends to do him service.
And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.
And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.
And the next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go to his friends, and receive their care.
And the next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go to his friends, and receive their care. And thence putting to sea, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
And thence putting to sea, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And having sailed over the sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
And having sailed over the sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion, finding a ship of Alexandria about to sail for Italy, put us on board of it.
And there the centurion, finding a ship of Alexandria about to sail for Italy, put us on board of it. And sailing slowly some days, and having with difficulty arrived over against Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to put in, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
And sailing slowly some days, and having with difficulty arrived over against Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to put in, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; and coasting along it with difficulty we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city Lasea.
and coasting along it with difficulty we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city Lasea. And much time having been spent, and the voyage being now dangerous, because the Fast had already gone by, Paul advised them,
And much time having been spent, and the voyage being now dangerous, because the Fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, saying, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives.
saying, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives. But the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than what was spoken by Paul.
But the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than what was spoken by Paul. And as the harbor was not well situated for wintering, the greater part advised to sail thence also, if by any means they might reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, looking toward the southwest and northwest, and there winter.
And as the harbor was not well situated for wintering, the greater part advised to sail thence also, if by any means they might reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, looking toward the southwest and northwest, and there winter. And when a south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor, and coasted along close by Crete.
And when a south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor, and coasted along close by Crete. But not long after, there rushed against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
But not long after, there rushed against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And the ship being caught, and unable to face the wind, we gave up to it, and were driven along.
And the ship being caught, and unable to face the wind, we gave up to it, and were driven along. And running under a certain small island called Clauda, we were hardly able to get possession of the boat;
And running under a certain small island called Clauda, we were hardly able to get possession of the boat; which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing lest they should run into the Syrtis, they lowered the sail and so were driven.
which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing lest they should run into the Syrtis, they lowered the sail and so were driven. And as we were violently tempesttossed, the next day they began to lighten the vessel;
And as we were violently tempesttossed, the next day they began to lighten the vessel; and the third day we cast out with our own hands the movables of the ship.
and the third day we cast out with our own hands the movables of the ship. And as neither sun nor stars had appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, thenceforward all hope that we should be saved was taken away.
And as neither sun nor stars had appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, thenceforward all hope that we should be saved was taken away. And after there had been much abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me, and not have put to sea from Crete, nod thus brought upon yourselves this injury and loss.
And after there had been much abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me, and not have put to sea from Crete, nod thus brought upon yourselves this injury and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer; for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
For there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul! Thou must stand before Caesar; and lo, God hath given thee all those that sail with thee.
saying, Fear not, Paul! Thou must stand before Caesar; and lo, God hath given thee all those that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it will be just as it hath been told me.
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it will be just as it hath been told me. But we must be cast upon some island.
But we must be cast upon some island. And when the fourteenth night had come on, as we were driven onward in the Adriatic sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were near some country;
And when the fourteenth night had come on, as we were driven onward in the Adriatic sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were near some country; and sounding, they found twenty fathoms; and having gone a little further and sounded again, they found fifteen fathoms;
and sounding, they found twenty fathoms; and having gone a little further and sounded again, they found fifteen fathoms; then fearing lest we should fall upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for day.
then fearing lest we should fall upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for day. And as the sailors were seeking means to escape from the ship, when they had lowered the boat into the sea, under the pretence that they were about to carry out anchors from the foreship,
And as the sailors were seeking means to escape from the ship, when they had lowered the boat into the sea, under the pretence that they were about to carry out anchors from the foreship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, If these men do not stay in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, If these men do not stay in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.
Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul exhorted them all to take food; saying, This is the fourteenth day that ye have waited, and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
And while the day was coming on, Paul exhorted them all to take food; saying, This is the fourteenth day that ye have waited, and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I exhort you to take food; for this is for your safety; for there shall not a hair be lost from the head of one of you.
Wherefore I exhort you to take food; for this is for your safety; for there shall not a hair be lost from the head of one of you. And having thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and having broken it, he began to eat.
And having thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and having broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took food.
Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took food. And there were of us in the ship in all two hundred and seventysix souls.
And there were of us in the ship in all two hundred and seventysix souls. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting out the grain into the sea.
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting out the grain into the sea. And when it was day, they did not know the land; but they observed a certain creek having a beach, into which they determined, if possible, to run the ship.
And when it was day, they did not know the land; but they observed a certain creek having a beach, into which they determined, if possible, to run the ship. And cutting away the anchors, they left them in the sea, and at the same time unfastening the rudderbands, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made toward the beach.
And cutting away the anchors, they left them in the sea, and at the same time unfastening the rudderbands, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made toward the beach. And falling into a place having the sea on both sides, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast, and remained immovable, but the stern was breaking to pieces with the violence [of the waves].
And falling into a place having the sea on both sides, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast, and remained immovable, but the stern was breaking to pieces with the violence [of the waves]. And on the part of the soldiers there was a plan to kill the prisoners, lest any one should swim out and escape.
And on the part of the soldiers there was a plan to kill the prisoners, lest any one should swim out and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and ordered those who could swim to cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land,
Hastings
A centurion was a Roman military officer, corresponding in the number of infantry commanded by him (100) to the modern 'captain,' but in his status like our non-commissioned officers. The passage to the higher ranks was even more difficult in his case than it is amongst our non-commissioned officers. However, the chief centurion of a legion. known as the 'centurion of the first (chief) pike,' was sometimes promoted to the equestrian order. The Capernaum centurion (Mt 8:5-13; Lu 7:2-10) was probably in Herod's army, not in the Roman army strictly so called. Some of those mentioned in the NT were on special service in command of their units, and separated from the cohorts or legions of which they formed a part.
A. Souter.
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And when he had entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home palsied, sorely tormented. read more. He saith to him, I will come and heal him. But the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; but only command with a word, and my servant will be made well. For even I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard this, he marveled, and said to those who followed, Truly do I say to you, Not even in Israel have I found such faith. And I say to you, that many will come from the east and the west, and recline at table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will go out into the outer darkness; there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was made well in that hour.
And a certain centurions servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and about to die. And having heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, and besought him to come and save his servant. read more. And they came to Jesus, and besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy that thou shouldst do this for him; for he loveth our nation, and himself built the synagogue for us. And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; on which account I did not think myself worthy to come to thee; but command with a word, and let my servant be healed. For even I am a man set under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. And Jesus hearing this, wondered at him; and turning round said to the multitude that followed him, I say to you, Not even in Israel have I found such faith. And they who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well.
Morish
An officer over (about) 100 men: they were promoted to this office because of their good conduct and trustworthiness, and it is to be remarked how often centurions are favourably noticed in the Gospels and the Acts. Mt 8:5-13; Lu 23:47; Ac 10:1,22; 27:6, etc.
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And when he had entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home palsied, sorely tormented. read more. He saith to him, I will come and heal him. But the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof; but only command with a word, and my servant will be made well. For even I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard this, he marveled, and said to those who followed, Truly do I say to you, Not even in Israel have I found such faith. And I say to you, that many will come from the east and the west, and recline at table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will go out into the outer darkness; there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was made well in that hour.
And the centurion, seeing what was done, gave glory to God, saying, Surely this was a righteous man.
Now a certain man in Caesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee to his house, and to hear words from thee.
Smith
Centurion.
[ARMY]
See Army
Watsons
CENTURION, an officer in the Roman army, who, as the term indicates, had the command of a hundred men, Mt 8:5, &c.