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 when the centurion, that stood over against Him, saw that He expired with such a cry, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
Now when He had finished his discourse in the audience of the people, He entered into Capernaum: and a certain centurion's servant, whom he had a great value for, was ill and ready to die; read more. and having heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that He would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they intreated Him earnestly, saying, he is worthy of this favor: for he loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue. So Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent some of his friends to Him, saying Lord, trouble not thyself, for I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof: neither did I think myself worthy to come unto thee. But speak the word, and my servant will be recovered. For I also am a man placed under the authority of others, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it. And when Jesus heard these things, He marvelled, and turning about, said to the multitude that followed Him, I declare unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel. And when they that were sent, returned to the house, they found the servant well, that had been sick.
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/worsley'>Mt 8:5,8,13; Lu 7:2,6; Ac 21:32; 22:25-26; 23/17/type/worsley'>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 Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion beseeching Him, and saying, Lord,
But the centurion answering said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof, but speak the word, and my servant will be healed:
And Jesus said to the centurion, Go, and be it unto thee as thou hast believed. And his servant was healed in that very hour.
And when the centurion, and they that were with him guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake, and what was done, they were sore afraid, and said, This was indeed the Son of God.
And when the centurion, that stood over against Him, saw that He expired with such a cry, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
But Pilate wondered that He was dead already, and therefore calling for the centurion he asked him if He had been dead any time: and when he heard it from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
whom he had a great value for, was ill and ready to die;
So Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent some of his friends to Him, saying Lord, trouble not thyself, for I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof:
And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this man was righteous.
Now there was a certain man at Cesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band: a pious man,
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man, and one that feareth God, and of a good character among all the nation of the Jews, hath been warned from God by an holy angel, to send for thee to his house, and to hear what thou shalt say.
who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the chiliarch and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul.
And as they were binding him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, uncondemned? And the centurion hearing this, went and told the tribune, saying, Consider what thou art about to do; for this man is a Roman.
Then Paul called one of the centurions to him, and said, Introduce this young man to the tribune; for he hath something to tell him.
And he called two of the centurions to him, and said, Get ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, by the third hour of the night.
And he commanded the centurion to keep Paul secure, and to let him have some liberty, and to hinder none of his friends from assisting him or coming to him.
Now as it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort.
And there the centurion finding a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, he put us on board it.
But the centurion regarded the pilot and the master of the vessel, more than the things that were said by Paul.
Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Unless these men stay in the ship ye cannot be saved.
But the centurion, desirous to save Paul, hindered them from their purpose, and ordered those that could swim to throw themselves out first, and get off to land:
And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was permitted to live by himself with the soldier that had him in custody.
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 when the centurion, and they that were with him guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake, and what was done, they were sore afraid, and said, This was indeed the Son of God.
And when the centurion, and they that were with him guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake, and what was done, they were sore afraid, and said, This was indeed the Son of God.
And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this man was righteous.
And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this man was righteous.
And he called two of the centurions to him, and said, Get ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, by the third hour of the night.
And he called two of the centurions to him, and said, Get ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, by the third hour of the night.
And the next day they returned to the castle, leaving the horsemen to go with him;
And the next day they returned to the castle, leaving the horsemen to go with him;
And he commanded the centurion to keep Paul secure, and to let him have some liberty, and to hinder none of his friends from assisting him or coming to him.
And he commanded the centurion to keep Paul secure, and to let him have some liberty, and to hinder none of his friends from assisting him or coming to him.
Now as it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort.
Now as it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort.
And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius treating Paul with great humanity, permitted him to go to his friends to get proper supplies.
And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius treating Paul with great humanity, permitted him to go to his friends to get proper supplies. And when we departed from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
And when we departed from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And sailing through the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra a city of Lycia.
And sailing through the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra a city of Lycia. And there the centurion finding a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, he put us on board it.
And there the centurion finding a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, he put us on board it. And as we sailed slowly for many days, and were hardly got on to Cnidus, the wind not permitting us, we sailed under Crete by Salmone.
And as we sailed slowly for many days, and were hardly got on to Cnidus, the wind not permitting us, we sailed under Crete by Salmone. And passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called the Fair-havens, near to which was the city of Lasea.
And passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called the Fair-havens, near to which was the city of Lasea. And as much time was spent, and sailing was now dangerous, (for the fast was now past,) Paul exhorted them,
And as much time was spent, and sailing was now dangerous, (for the fast was now past,) Paul exhorted them, saying, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage is like to be prejudicial and with much damage, not only of the lading and of the ship, but also of our lives.
saying, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage is like to be prejudicial and with much damage, not only of the lading and of the ship, but also of our lives. But the centurion regarded the pilot and the master of the vessel, more than the things that were said by Paul.
But the centurion regarded the pilot and the master of the vessel, more than the things that were said by Paul. And the haven not being commodious to winter in, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they could possibly reach to Phenice to winter at that haven of Crete, which looks both to the south-west and north-west.
And the haven not being commodious to winter in, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they could possibly reach to Phenice to winter at that haven of Crete, which looks both to the south-west and north-west. And as the south wind blew gently, thinking they were secure of their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed close by Crete.
And as the south wind blew gently, thinking they were secure of their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon.
But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon. And the ship being hurried on, and not able to face the wind, we gave it up and so were carried along.
And the ship being hurried on, and not able to face the wind, we gave it up and so were carried along. And running under a certain island called Clauda, we were hardly able to become masters of the boat.
And running under a certain island called Clauda, we were hardly able to become masters of the boat. Which when they had hoisted up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing least they should fall into the quick-sands, they struck fail, and so were driven.
Which when they had hoisted up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing least they should fall into the quick-sands, they struck fail, and so were driven. And as we were exceedingly tossed by the storm, the next day they lightened the ship:
And as we were exceedingly tossed by the storm, the next day they lightened the ship: and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship too.
and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship too. And as neither sun nor stars appeared for several days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was now taken away.
And as neither sun nor stars appeared for several days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was now taken away. But after long abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not loosed from Crete, and so have saved this damage and loss.
But after long abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not loosed from Crete, and so have saved this damage and loss. However, I now exhort you to be of good courage: for there shall be no loss of any life among you, but only of the ship:
However, I now exhort you to be of good courage: for there shall be no loss of any 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, saying,
for there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and behold God hath given thee all that are sailing with thee.
Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and behold God hath given thee all that are sailing with thee. Wherefore, Sirs, be of good courage; for I trust in God, that it shall be so, according as it was told me.
Wherefore, Sirs, be of good courage; for I trust in God, that it shall be so, according as it was told me. But we must be cast upon some island.
But we must be cast upon some island. And when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic sea, about the middle of the night the mariners thought they drew near to some land:
And when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic sea, about the middle of the night the mariners thought they drew near to some land: and sounding they found it twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, and sounded again, they found it fifteen fathoms.
and sounding they found it twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, and sounded again, they found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing least they should fall upon some rocky places, they cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for day.
Then fearing least they should fall upon some rocky places, they cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for day. But the mariners endeavouring to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat into the sea, under pretence that they were going to stretch out anchors from the head of the ship,
But the mariners endeavouring to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat into the sea, under pretence that they were going to stretch out anchors from the head of the ship, Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Unless these men stay in the ship ye cannot be saved.
Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Unless these men 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 some food, saying, Fourteen days this day ye continue waiting without proper food, having taken nothing:
And while the day was coming on, Paul exhorted them all to take some food, saying, Fourteen days this day ye continue waiting without proper food, having taken nothing: wherefore I exhort you to take some nourishment, for this is necessary for your safety: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you.
wherefore I exhort you to take some nourishment, for this is necessary for your safety: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of you. And having spoken thus, he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken it he began to eat.
And having spoken thus, he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and when he had broken it he began to eat. And being all encouraged they also took some food.
And being all encouraged they also took some food. And we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy-six souls.
And we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy-six souls. And when they were satisfied with food, they lightened the ship and cast out the corn into the sea.
And when they were satisfied with food, they lightened the ship and cast out the corn into the sea. And when it was day, they did not know the land near them: but they perceived a certain creek with a shore, into which they were desirous, if they could, to have thrust the ship.
And when it was day, they did not know the land near them: but they perceived a certain creek with a shore, into which they were desirous, if they could, to have thrust the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors, they trusted the ship to the sea, at the same time, loosing the rudder-bands; and hoisting up the main-sail to the wind, they made to the shore.
And when they had taken up the anchors, they trusted the ship to the sea, at the same time, loosing the rudder-bands; and hoisting up the main-sail to the wind, they made to the shore. But falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship a-ground; and the fore-part stuck fast, and remained immoveable, but the hinder part was dashed in pieces by the violence of the waves.
But falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship a-ground; and the fore-part stuck fast, and remained immoveable, but the hinder part was dashed in pieces by the violence of the waves. And the counsel of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners, least any of them should swim out and escape.
And the counsel of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners, least any of them should swim out and escape. But the centurion, desirous to save Paul, hindered them from their purpose, and ordered those that could swim to throw themselves out first, and get off to land:
But the centurion, desirous to save Paul, hindered them from their purpose, and ordered those that could swim to throw themselves out first, and get off 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 Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion beseeching Him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in my house ill of the palsy, grievously afflicted: read more. and Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. But the centurion answering said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof, but speak the word, and my servant will be healed: for I also am a man under the authority of others, yet have soldiers under me; and I say to one, go, and he goeth; and to another, come, and he cometh; and to my servant, do this, and he doth it. And when Jesus heard it He marvelled, and said to them that followed Him, Verily, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith even in Israel: but I tell you, that many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; and the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness; where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, Go, and be it unto thee as thou hast believed. And his servant was healed in that very hour.
whom he had a great value for, was ill and ready to die; and having heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that He would come and heal his servant. read more. And when they came to Jesus, they intreated Him earnestly, saying, he is worthy of this favor: for he loveth our nation, and hath built us a synagogue. So Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent some of his friends to Him, saying Lord, trouble not thyself, for I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof: neither did I think myself worthy to come unto thee. But speak the word, and my servant will be recovered. For I also am a man placed under the authority of others, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it. And when Jesus heard these things, He marvelled, and turning about, said to the multitude that followed Him, I declare unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel. And when they that were sent, returned to the house, they found the servant well, that had been sick.
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 Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion beseeching Him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in my house ill of the palsy, grievously afflicted: read more. and Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. But the centurion answering said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof, but speak the word, and my servant will be healed: for I also am a man under the authority of others, yet have soldiers under me; and I say to one, go, and he goeth; and to another, come, and he cometh; and to my servant, do this, and he doth it. And when Jesus heard it He marvelled, and said to them that followed Him, Verily, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith even in Israel: but I tell you, that many shall come from the east and from the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; and the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness; where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, Go, and be it unto thee as thou hast believed. And his servant was healed in that very hour.
And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this man was righteous.
Now there was a certain man at Cesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band: a pious man,
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a righteous man, and one that feareth God, and of a good character among all the nation of the Jews, hath been warned from God by an holy angel, to send for thee to his house, and to hear what thou shalt say.
And there the centurion finding a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, he put us on board it.
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.
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And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a centurion beseeching Him, and saying, Lord,