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Centurion and jesus aberdare7/7/2023 ![]() ![]() The centurion approaches Jesus and shows unusual respect for him. ![]() The point of the passage is that a Gentile expressed more faith than the Jews in the region, especially the Pharisees. In either case, he had heard Jesus was known for healing all kind of illness and approaches on behalf of the servant. If he was a God-fearing Gentile, then he may have had faith in the God of Israel to heal. Why would a typical Roman soldier think a Jewish healer would have this kind of authority? If he is simply a pagan Roman centurion, he may have tried all other methods, both medical and divine, to heal his servant. At present, the bathhouse is dated to the second or third century (it is similar to small bathhouses in Gaul and Britain from the period), but the excavators suspect an earlier bathhouse was present when the later was built. In the 1980s a Roman bathhouse was found near the eastern border of the village, right on the property line between the Franciscan and Orthodox properties. There is little evidence for Roman military presence in Galilee prior to AD 44 (Wahlde, “Archaeology and John’s Gospel”). Mike Wilkins, for example, states “recent excavations reveal a military garrison at Capernaum had its headquarters to the east of the Jewish village” although he does not offer a footnote for this recent excavation (Wilkins, Matthew, 341). Was there a Roman garrison in Capernaum in the first third of first century? This is often stated, but rarely proven. The centurion is a Gentile, but it is at least possible he is a God-fearing gentile. From the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount to Capernaum is perhaps three and a half miles by the modern road, less if Jesus is able to take a more direct route. Having finished the Sermon on the Mount Jesus walked to the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Peter and his family lived. There is also evidence of a small synagogue under the impressive fifth century building modern tourists visit. The village is right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and there is evidence of at least seven docks for fishermen. In the first century Capernaum would not have been very large, perhaps no more that 1700 residents. The modern route from Nazareth to Capernaum is about 30 miles, but the way drops from 1138 feet at Nazareth to 680 feet below sea level at Capernaum (at current lake levels). He will return to the village in 11:23 and 17:24. Jesus left Nazareth and began to live in Capernaum (Matthew 4:13), likely living in Peter’s home (8:14). Like the story of Jesus healing the leper in the previous paragraph, Jesus will cross cultural barriers by responding to this Gentile’s request. Jesus returns to Capernaum, Peter’s village, where is met by a centurion asking him to heal his servant who is suffering greatly (Matthew 8:5-6). ![]()
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