What Does Matthew 8:5 Mean in the King James?
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
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 centurion’s authority does not keep him from becoming a petitioner: here, command itself approaches Jesus and asks.
THE MEANING
Need comes into the open when it is brought near to Jesus in an appeal. Authority and dependence can occupy the same person; command over others does not erase the need to ask.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that status makes someone self-sufficient breaks here: the centurion’s authority does not cancel his need to appeal.
THE ROOT
παρακαλῶν
parakalōn
GROWS FROM
καλέω
To call or summon; in the compound παρακαλέω, to appeal, urge, or comfort.
“Beseeching” belongs to the Greek family of calling: this is an appeal addressed to someone, not merely a need held inside. The same word family can name an appeal, an urging, or comfort, and here the centurion’s act is an appeal.
ALSO GROWS
kaleō: Call, invite, summon
καλέω
This base verb underlies παρακαλέω and shows the centurion directing his appeal to Jesus.
paraklēsis: Appeal, encouragement, comfort
παράκλησις
This related noun shares the word family’s range of appeal and comfort; here the appeal is the active sense.
ἑκατόνταρχος
hekatontarchos
GROWS FROM
ἀρχ-
To lead, rule, or hold chief authority.
“centurion” in this verse is hekatontarchos. The Greek title combines “hundred” with the word family of leadership and rule. The verse places a commander in the posture of one who appeals, joining public authority with dependence in one person.
ALSO GROWS
archōn: Ruler, chief
ἄρχων
This related form names a person who holds authority, echoing the leadership element in the centurion’s title.
archē: Beginning, rule, authority
ἀρχή
This word shares the ἀρχ- family and connects the title’s command to the broader idea of rule.
THE PATTERN
Need crosses the distance to help through an approach and an appeal.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.THE THREAD
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.The verb translated “came unto” comes from προσέρχομαι (proserchomai, approach), the same Greek verb used for “come” in Hebrews 4:16. The centurion’s movement toward Jesus opens onto a recurring image: need draws near to the source of help.
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