Luke 7:4

4 They came to Jesus and begged, "He deserves your help.

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 There a Roman army officer's valuable slave was sick and near death.

3 The officer had heard about Jesus and sent some Jewish leaders to him. They were to ask Jesus to come and save the servant's life.

4 They came to Jesus and begged, "He deserves your help.

5 He loves our people and built our synagogue at his own expense."

6 Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the officer sent friends to tell Jesus, "Sir, don't bother. I don't deserve to have you come into my house.