Bible Word of the Day
Bible Vocabulary
Centurion (Commander of a Century)
Meaning
The Centurion was the backbone of the Roman army. Each centurion was in charge of a group of one-hundred men called a "century." And there were sixty-six centuries in a Roman Legion. The centurions were the best trained and most experience soldiers and their responsibilities were training, discipline, leadership in battle as well as logistics and support getting their men what they and needed and where they needed to go. We have to remember the New Testament takes place during the time of the Roman Empire and therefore the events of the New Testament were situated against the backdrop of Roman culture and Roman history.
Therefore, it's not surprising that Roman centurions are mentioned several times in the New Testament scripture. There was the Roman centurion who according to Jesus had more faith than anyone in Israel. There was Cornelius the God-fearer (Gentile who practiced Judaism) who was very generous and kind to the Jewish people. Cornelius had even built a synagogue for the Jewish people and Cornelius became a follower of Christ. We also have the centurion who took part in Jesus' crucifixion who became a follower of Christ, as well as the nameless centurions throughout the book of Acts and those who helped to oversee the Apostle Paul and his transport to Rome. We have to remember that during the time of the Roman Empire, it was the Roman soldiers themselves who also helped to spread the Gospel of Christ.
"And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, 'Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.' When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, 'I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel'" (Gospel of Luke 7:2-9)
"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, 'Cornelius' And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, 'What is it, lord?' So he said to him, 'Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.'" (Book of Acts 10:1-4)
"And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, 'Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?' When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, 'Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.' Then the commander came and said to him, 'Tell me, are you a Roman?' He said, 'Yes.' The commander answered, 'With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.' And Paul said, 'But I was born a citizen.' Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. " (Book of Acts 22:25-29)
   
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