Luke 7:4

4 When they came to Jesus, they earnestly pleaded with Jesus. "He deserves to have you do this for him," they said.

Luke 7:4 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 7:4

And when they came to Jesus
To that part of the city where he was; either at Peter's house, where he used to be when in this place; or rather it might be as he was passing along the streets, that they came up to him

they besought him instantly;
or with great vehemence and importunity; very studiously and carefully they urged the case, and pressed him much to it:

saying, he was worthy for whom he should do this;
or, "for whom thou shouldst do this", as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read, and some copies; and which reading connects the words best. This speech of theirs savours of their "pharisaic" tenet and notion of merit, and is very different from the sense the poor centurion had of himself.

Luke 7:4 In-Context

2 A centurion had a servant who was very important to him, but the servant was ill and about to die.

3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Jesus to ask him to come and heal his servant.

4 When they came to Jesus, they earnestly pleaded with Jesus. "He deserves to have you do this for him," they said.

5 "He loves our people and he built our synagogue for us."

6 Jesus went with them. He had almost reached the house when the centurion sent friends to say to Jesus, "Lord, don't be bothered. I don't deserve to have you come under my roof.