What Does Luke 7:4 Mean in the King James?
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The elders call the centurion worthy for what he has done, but he answers with the same Greek word-family that he does not count himself worthy, and trusts Jesus’ word.
THE MEANING
Others can speak for you, name the good they see, and carry your need to Jesus. The centurion calls himself unworthy, yet trusts that Jesus’ word reaches the need.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief this undoes is that you must prove yourself worthy before Jesus can meet your need.
THE ROOT
ἄξιος
axios
GROWS FROM
ἀξι-
axi-
Worthy, fit, or of corresponding value.
The elders call the centurion ἄξιος (axios), worthy; in verse 7, the centurion uses the same word-family to say he does not deem himself worthy. The story moves from other people’s measure of his deeds to his own admission, while his confidence rests on Jesus’ word.
ALSO GROWS
axia: Worth, value
ἀξία
This branch keeps worthiness connected to the value people assign when they commend the centurion.
axioō: To deem or consider worthy
ἀξιόω
The centurion uses this verb in verse 7 to say he does not count himself worthy.
anaxios: Unworthy
ἀνάξιος
The negative form grows from the same word-family, showing that worth and unworthiness share one vocabulary.
παρεκάλουν
parekaloun
GROWS FROM
καλέω (kaleō), in παρακαλέω (parakaleō)
Call or summon; in this compound, appeal or urge, with a wider range that also includes comfort and encouragement.
“besought” in this verse is parekaloun. The elders make an active appeal on another person’s behalf. This word-family also holds the sense of encouragement and advocacy, so their request itself supports the man whose own words soon disclaim worthiness.
ALSO GROWS
paraklēsis: Appeal, encouragement, or comfort
παράκλησις
The appeal here belongs to a word-family that can also name speech that supports and encourages.
paraklētos: Advocate or helper
παράκλητος
The elders act as advocates, carrying the centurion’s case to Jesus.
THE PATTERN
God’s response reaches people without being measured by their claim to worthiness.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.THE THREAD
Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.The elders call the centurion ἄξιος (axios, worthy); he answers with ἠξίωσα (ēxiōsa), from the same word-family, saying he does not count himself worthy. Then he anchors his request in Jesus’ spoken authority, and the story lets that confidence stand where a claim of worthiness cannot.
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