Green on Luke 7:1-10

More from Green’s commentary:

Luke is amazing. In 7:1-10, Jews come to Jesus interceding for the centurion. They insist that the centurion is worthy of attention because he has done good to the nation of Israel: “He loves our nation, and it was he who built our synagogue” (v. 5). They want Jesus to do a loving thing for the centurion because the centurion has done a loving thing for Israel. “Do good, Jesus, for the centurion has done good for us.” And with every word the Jewish elders prove themselves to be sinners, who do good to their benefactors and love those who love them. This is why Jesus is so astonished at the centurion: He has really understood Jesus’ words, and does not expect a favor from Jesus because of his gifts to the Jews. He has given without expectation of a return. He is a son of the Father, with greater faith than in Israel.