Reconciling the accounts of the centurion

[Mels]

Ok, seeing as a thread doesn’t already exist for this, I have a question about a seeming contradiction between Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 about the centurion. In one, it says the centurion himself went and spoke to Jesus, while in the second, it says he sent friends instead of himself. I can appreciate both passages, but I am wondering how best to interpret them in a Catholic perspective. Thank you!

 

[WhitSunday]

Imho, this isn’t a contradiction. It never says, “the centurion never came to Jesus–he only sent his friends” or vice versa.

Is it possible that he did both? That the friends came to Jesus and then he also came?

I think this is kinda like the one or two or three angels at Jesus’ tomb after the Resurrection. It sort of doesn’t matter how many were there–the point is, they were there. In the same way, it doesn’t really matter whether the centurion came or if his friends came–the point is he or they came, and asked Jesus for healing, and the servant was healed.

Also, I’m no ancient Palestine expert, but I always thought that the messenger was supposed to be treated with the same respect as the person sending the message–as if the person giving the message was standing there giving it, not somebody else.

 

[Mels]

Thanks for your response. I thought so, but I wanted someone else to help me make sure.

 

[garysibio]

Ok, seeing as a thread doesn’t already exist for this, I have a question about a seeming contradiction between Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 about the centurion. In one, it says the centurion himself went and spoke to Jesus, while in the second, it says he sent friends instead of himself. I can appreciate both passages, but I am wondering how best to interpret them in a Catholic perspective. Thank you!

I’m not 100% sure on this so I wouldn’t be betting the farm on my answer.

Given the times and the authority of a Roman centurion, it may be that the centurion sending his friends might be considered the equivalent of the centurion coming himself. Keep in mind Matthew is writing from a Jewish perspective and Luke from a Greek perspective. The Jews did not write histories like we do or the Greeks did. Note that, for example, only Luke’s gospel makes the claim to be written in the order in which the events actually occurred. (Luke 1:3)

You might want to check out Gleason Archer’s Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, c1982. ISBN 0-310-43570-6. Although he was an Evangelical the work is quite useful.

 

[Mels]

Thanks That book might be helpful for where I am at this point. I’ll look into it

 

[Deconi]

If I send you my man-servant or associate, I have come to you!
It’s called an envoy / herald / messenger…who is in my stead!

At times, and some accounts in histories of nations, if you insult or harm my envoy, it is me you insult…etc etc.

That said, it could be that the ‘messenger’ came to Christ first to inform / advise before the centurion also came to Christ.

The Biblical text remain accurate.