Luke 7:4

4 But they, being come to Jesus, besought him diligently, saying, He is worthy to whom thou shouldest grant this,

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 And a certain centurion's bondman who was dear to him was ill and about to die;

3 and having heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, begging him that he might come and save his bondman.

4 But they, being come to Jesus, besought him diligently, saying, He is worthy to whom thou shouldest grant this,

5 for he loves our nation, and himself has built the synagogue for us.

6 And Jesus went with them. But already, when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent to him friends, saying to him, Lord, do not trouble thyself, for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof.