What was a centurion in bible times

Also called the Hebrew Bible, those parts of the canon that are common to both Jews and Christians. The designation "Old Testament" places this part of the canon in relation to the New Testament, the part of the Bible canonical only to Christians. Because the term "Old Testament" assumes a distinctly Christian perspective, many scholars prefer to use the more neutral "Hebrew Bible," which derives from the fact that the texts of this part of the canon are written almost entirely in Hebrew.

A hypothetical source of sayings about Jesus conceived to explain common materials in Matthew and Luke. View more. Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant 1After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.

The Healing of Naaman 1Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given v Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill Paul Sails for Rome 1When it was decided that we were to sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort, n He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land Site HarperCollins Dictionary.

Places Home Roman Centurion. Add this:. Ask a Scholar. Related Articles 1 Capernaum Capernaum was a small Jewish fishing and agricultural community on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee that figures prominently in the Gospels' depictions of Jesus. Herodian Kingdoms Upon his death in 4 B.

HarperCollins Dictionary centurion. Changing one's beliefs and self-identity from one religion to another. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. This man came to Jesus on behalf of his servant. The Centurion of Caesarea Acts , 22, There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment , a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Cornelius, a prominent Gentile convert, was a centurion who had dealt kindly with and was appreciated by the Jewish people.

Through his exposure to Judaism, his heart had been prepared for the seed of the gospel, and when Peter came to him with the message of the cross, he believed. The Centurion of the Shipwreck Acts , 11, ; And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.

But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship.

And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. A centurion, as the name indicates, was in charge of a regiment of at least men. It is almost certain, then, that each of the centurions we meet in the battle would have engaged in several instances of hand-to-hand combat. One did not become a centurion without having your mettle tested in the throes of battle. Yet, centurions were also among those of whom Jesus is in the business of redeeming.

For a first-century reader, particularly those with a Jewish background, the redemption of a Roman centurion would have been shocking. But the gospel writers, Mark especially, place the centurions in key positions within their narrative as wonderful examples of faith. Even today we have lessons to learn from these Roman centurions.

Roman centurions certainly would have been at home in the ways of power and authority. They were under the supreme authority of the emperor—to disobey his orders would have certainly led to an execution. But they too were men of authority, commanding several others with the authority of the emperor. In Matthew 8 this centurion understands that Jesus is a man of great power and authority. He has faith that Jesus is able to speak a word and his servant will be healed.

This is rather astonishing because up to this point in the narrative Jesus has not healed anyone from a distance. But this centurion seemed to know and believe that Jesus could accomplish whatever he desired. The healing happens not because he is worthy, due to his position, but the healing happens because of the goodness of Jesus. The servant is healed because Jesus is working to overcome evil.

In fact, Luke will highlight this point by pairing this centurion with a poor widow woman. But the poor widow woman has nothing to offer. Throughout the narrative demons will confess Jesus as the Son of God but that confession is not found on human lips until it is given by a Roman centurion at the crucifixion of Jesus Mark Why does Mark wait that long? Of all those who would have confessed Jesus as the Son of God including his disciples , why only record it on the lips of a Roman centurion?