Bible Strands
Luke 7:4
They came to Jesus and pleaded with Him earnestly, “This man is worthy to have You grant this,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jewish elders dispatched by a Roman centurion approach Jesus to request the healing of his servant. They intercept His journey to intercede on the centurion’s behalf before He reaches the house.
The words — παρεκάλουν (parekaloun) translates to “they were begging” or “pleaded earnestly,” describing the elders’ urgent supplication. This verb captures the intensity of their direct request as they press their petition to Him.
The thread — The concept of worthiness appears in Matthew 10:11 regarding hosting a worthy person and Matthew 10:37 regarding loving Christ above family. Luke 7:6 immediately follows this plea as Jesus begins the journey with the elders.
Why it lands — The text records a direct appeal for intervention based on a third party’s character, not the petitioners’ own merit. It requires the reader to observe how intercession functions as a bridge between human need and divine action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
Cross-references
- Matthew 10:11 Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on.
- Matthew 10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
- Luke 7:6 So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.
- Revelation 3:4 But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.
- Matthew 10:13 If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it, but if it is not, let your peace return to you.
- Luke 20:35 But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.