LIFE OF CHRIST
A Harmony of the Gospels

LESSON NINE

Matthew's condensed report does not contradict Luke's fuller account.
In Matthew, he is represented as coming to Christ himself; but it is a usual form of speech in all nations, to attribute the act to a person which is done not by himself, but by his authority.

Centurion
A Roman military officer who had the command of 100 men.
Judea was a Roman province, and garrisons were kept there to preserve the people in subjection. This man was probably by birth a pagan.
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

He was a Gentile, a Roman, an officer of the army;  probably commander-in-chief of that part of the Roman army which was quartered at Capernaum, and kept garrison there.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

He has built a synagogue
It was no unusual thing for one Jewish man to build a synagogue at his own expense.
If,  as in this case,  a Gentile built the sacred edifice,  the Jews had no scruples in receiving the gift,  even if he did not become a proselyte,  as some suppose this centurion to have been.  They held that the holiness of the place consisted,  not so much in the building,  as in its being set apart and dedicated to holy uses.

It would seem that everything about this man would prevent him from coming to Jesus.

This centurion understood that Jesus, like himself, was under authority (John 8:28  I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me).
All Christ had to do was speak the word and the disease would obey Him the way a soldier obeyed his officer.
It is worth noting that only those who are under authority have the right to exercise authority.

Twice in the Gospels it is recorded that Jesus marveled:

Matthew recorded two "Gentile" miracles:

In both "Gentile" miracles:

This was a reminder of the spiritual position of the Gentiles "afar off' at that time (Eph 2:12).
It was also an early indication that the Jews would not believe, but the Gentiles would.
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright (c) 1989 by SP Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.)

That he could cure him with a word,  not send him a medicine,  much less a charm;  but speak the word only,  and I do not question but my servant shall be healed.  Herein he owns him to have a divine power,  an authority to command all the creatures and powers of nature,  which enables him to do whatsoever he pleases in the kingdom of nature;  as at first he raised that kingdom by an almighty word,  when he said,  Let there be light.  With men, saying and doing are two things;  but not so with Christ,  who is therefore the Arm of the Lord, because He is the eternal Word.
(from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

Cast out into outer darkness
As the enjoyment of that salvation that Jesus calls the kingdom of heaven is here represented under the notion of a nuptial festival,  at which the guests sat down in a reclining posture,  with the master of the feast;  so the state of those who were excluded from the banquet is represented as Deep Darkness;  because the nuptial solemnities took place at night. 
Hence,  at those suppers,  the house of reception was filled with lights called torches,  lamps,  candles,  and lanterns so that;

The darkness called here “outer darkness,” i.e. the darkness on the outside of the house in which the guests were; which must appear more abundantly gloomy,  when compared with the profusion of  light within the guest-chamber. And because they who were shut out were not only exposed to shame,  but also to hunger and cold;  therefore it is added,  “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
How many of those who are called  “Christians”  suffer the kingdom,  the graces,  and the salvation that they had in their hands,  to be lost.  An ETERNITY of darkness,  fears,  and pains,  for comparatively a moment of sensual gratification - how terrible the thought!

Nain
A small city of Galilee, in the tribe of Issachar.  According to Eusebius,  it was two miles from Mount Tabor, southward;  and near to Endor.
The situation is beautiful, on the northwest slope of the Hill of Moreh, known as Little Hermon. Eastward are ancient rock-hewn tombs. The view is wide, across plains northwest to Mt. Carmel, north to the hills behind Nazareth, six miles away, northeast past Mt. Tabor to the snowy heights of Mt. Hermon, and south is Mt. Gilboa.

A dead man carried out
It was customary, and still is, to bury the dead outside the limits of the limits of the city. Gentile nations as well as Jewish observed this usage.  Rare exceptions were sometimes made in the case of royal personages.

It was usual for all who knew the deceased to accompany the body to the grave. There were several relays of men to take turns in carrying the bier. This was considered a privilege. Thus we are told that  “much people of the city was with” the bereaved mother.

He had compassion

Compassion moves - one cannot be truly compassionate without being moved by compassion
Where there is true compassion, there is compassionate action

Weep not

For believers in Christ, death holds no fear:
1 Thess 4:13-18
(13) But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
(15)  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. (16)  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (17)  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  (18)  Therefore comfort one another with these words.   (NKJV)

He touched the coffin

Jesus did not fear the ceremonial defilement from contact with the dead.

Three degrees of uncleanness

Matt 8:2-3
And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."
Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.    (NKJV)

The Gospels record three miracles of resurrection:

Four special meetings took place at the city gate that day.

The response of the people was to glorify God and identify Jesus with the Prophet the Jews had been waiting for (Deut 18:15; John 1:21; Acts 3:22-23). 
It did not take long for the report of this miracle to spread.  People were even more enthusiastic to see Jesus,  and great crowds followed Him (Luke 8:4,19,42).

Matthew 11:1-6 (1) Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. (2)  And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples  (3)  and said to Him, "Are You the Coming one, or do we look for another?" (4)  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:  (5)  The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.  (6)  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." NKJV

Luke 7:18-23   (18) Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.  (19)  And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming one, or do we look for another?" (20)  When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming one, or do we look for another?'"  (21)  And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. (22)  Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.  (23)  And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." NKJV

Are you the One?
There has been some difficulty in what is here spoken of John:

It has been suggested that John now began,  through the length of his confinement,  to entertain doubts,  relative to His kingdom,  that perplexed and harassed his mind.

It is not unusual for great spiritual leaders to have their days of doubt and uncertainty.

Go and tell John
Jesus would have men to judge only of Him and of others by their works. This is the only safe way of judging.

People that are without Christ are:

Blessed is he who is not offended because of me

Offended

skandalistheé

scandalize

The Jews,  as has been mentioned,  expected a temporal deliverer.  Many would reject Him because of His low appearance,  and so lose the benefit of salvation through Him.
By His poverty and lowliness He condemns the pride and pomp of this world.
He who will not humble himself,  and become base,  and poor,  and vile in his own eyes,  cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
It is the poor,  in general,  who hear the Gospel;  the rich and the great are either too busy,  or too much gratified with temporal things,  to pay any attention to the voice of God.

JOHN  THE  BAPTIST  COMMENDED	Top Previous Section

Matthew 11:7-19 (7)  As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?  (8)  But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  (9)  But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  (10)  For this is he of whom it is written: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' (11)  "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  (12)  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  (13)  For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.  (14)  And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.  (15)  He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (16)  "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,  (17)  and saying: 'We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.' (18)  For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'  (19)  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children." NKJV

Luke 7:24-28 (24)  When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?  (25)  But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts.  (26)  But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  (27)  This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' (28)  For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." NKJV