© 11 Colin Melbourne
Did Jesus Meet the Centurion?
Q: What about the differences between Matthew and Luke’s accounts of the Centurion and Jesus? Matthew’s Gospel says he spoke to Jesus himself, whereas Luke’s Gospel says he sent friends to speak for him. Isn’t this the Bible contradicting itself?
A: Like all the alleged “discrepancies between the Gospels” this accusation is a red-herring.
The allegation reveals the motive of the accuser. The person is looking to find fault with God’s Word, not searching for the truth.
A Christian reads God’s word knowing it is the absolute Truth, and never contradicts itself. Therefore, when, at first sight, something seems to clash, it shows they’ve not understood correctly. The answer is to seek the Lord for clarification, and He gives it.
There’s no discrepancy, or lack of harmony, and no contradiction whatsoever.
That’s always the case when you come across sceptics with lists of supposed Bible contradictions.
Some of these critics are excruciatingly ignorant. One of the worst is a Muslim scholar called Ahmed Deedat who compiled a book of alleged Bible contradictions. When you evangelise in Muslim nations you are often presented with a copy to read, as “proof the Bible cannot be God’s Book”.
Every single one of Deedat’s supposed Bible errors is easily disproved, and it is clear he wrote it motivated by religious bigotry. Intelligent Muslims are deeply embarrassed by it, but the ignorant happily parrot the lies.
Help your Muslim friends to discover the truth by handing them this book to read.
Inside Islam by Reza Safa: Powerful and insightful. Reza Safa reveals the truth about Islam and life in Iran as a devout Muslim.
Evangelism Tip:
There are two ways of dealing with such people; you can patiently answer their points one by one, showing them from the word what they are failing to understand; or you can challenge and confront them with their own motivation.
For example, ask them straight;
“Are you raising this because you want to understand the Truth, or because you want to find a reason to justify your rejection of the Truth?”
If they continue in stiff-necked rebellion, make it a declaration;
“You are not raising this because you are searching for Truth, but because you want to justify your rejection of the Truth.”
That will give them something to chew over while you find somebody who is looking for the Truth.
So what about the Centurion’s servant and Jesus?
You’re question concerns Mtt. 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10.
After Christ delivered the Sermon on the Mount, He came down from the Galilean hillside, healed the leper, and went to Capernaum. On the way a Roman Centurion asked Him to come and heal his dying servant.
The Holy Spirit in Matthew’s account 8:5-7 KJV writes:
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him. And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
Introducing the event in Luke 7:1-3 KJV, the Holy Spirit wrote about Jesus:
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
Luke writes that Christ agreed to go with the Jewish elders, and as they drew near the Centurion’s home, the Roman sent friends to say, in touching humility, Lk. 7:6-7;
Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Sceptics leap on this claiming, “One says the Centurion went to meet Jesus, the other says he sent some Jews, and then more friends, on his behalf. The Bible contradicts itself, so cannot be trusted!”
There are several explanations of the alleged anomaly; my view is that Luke gives a wider account, whereas Matthew highlights only the climax of the story.
Starting with Luke’s version, the sequence of events begins; the Centurion sent a delegation of respected Jews to appeal for him, Christ agreed to go with them to heal the sick person. Near the home, possibly within sight and sound of the approaching company, the Centurion sent friends to plead with Christ not to come inside, but just say the word and the sick slave would be healed.
We know the Roman’s faith was strong and genuine, otherwise Christ would not have given such a ringing endorsement.
So why didn’t the soldier want Christ to come into his home?
Continue reading Part II: Jesus and the Centurion.
© 11 Colin Melbourne
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