Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Matthew 8:6
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home, etc.] It would be a difficulty whether it was a son or a servant he was so concerned for; since paiv, the word here used, more commonly signifies a “son” or “child”; but that Luke, supposing it to be the same case he relates, expressly calls him doulov, “a servant”, (<420702>Luke 7:2). The concern of the “centurion” for him, shows him to have been a good servant, faithful and obedient to his master; since he was so much affected with his case, and took so much care of him; and Luke says, he “was dear unto him”; in great esteem, highly valued, and much beloved: and also, that the centurion was a good master; he does not put his sick servant from him, but takes care of him at home, and seeks out for relief for him, being greatly desirous of his life. And as his keeping him at home discovered a tender regard to him; so his not bringing him forth, or ordering him to be brought out to Christ, which was sometimes done in such cases, shows his great faith in Christ, that he was as able to cure him lying at home, as if brought before him; absent, as well as present. It is in the original text, “is cast”; or, as it is rendered, (<400814>Matthew 8:14) “laid in the house”, as if he was dead, speechless, and without motion; and Luke says, that he was “ready to die”, being as one laid out for dead. The phrase answers to ljwm, a word often used by the Rabbins; sometimes of sick persons, as when they say f495 of anyone, that he is hjmb ljwmw hlwj, “sick, and laid upon the bed”; and sometimes of a person really dead, and laid out: and often this phrase is to be met with, wynpl ljwm wtmç ym, “he that hath his dead cast”, or “laid out before him” f496; concerning whom they dispute many things; as what he is free from, the reading of Shema, prayer, and the phylacteries; and where he ought to eat and drink till such time his dead is buried out of his sight. But this man’s servant was not dead, but lay as one dead; sick of the palsy, his nerves all relaxed, and he stupid, senseless, motionless, grievously tormented, or “punished”, or rather “afflicted”; as the Ethiopic version, and Munster’s Hebrew edition read it; for paralytic persons do not feel much pain and torment: but the meaning is, that he was in a miserable afflicted condition. The account of his disorder is given to move Christ’s compassion, and recorded to show the greatness of the miracle.
How to use this source
This excerpt is attributed to its named commentary. It is included as a historical study resource and should be evaluated in light of Scripture and other relevant evidence.
