The centurion's servant had been stricken with palsy, and lay at the point of death. Among the Romans the servants were slaves, bought and sold in the market places, and treated with abuse and cruelty; but the centurion was tenderly attached to his servant, and greatly desired his recovery. He believed that Jesus could heal him. He had not seen the Saviour, but the reports he heard had inspired him with faith. Notwithstanding the formalism of the Jews, this Roman was convinced that their religion was superior to his own. Already he had broken through the barriers of national prejudice and hatred that separated the conquerors from the conquered people. He had manifested respect for the service of God, and had shown kindness to the Jews as His worshipers. In the teaching of Christ, as it had been reported to him, he found that which met the need of the soul. All that was spiritual within him responded to the Saviour's words. But he felt unworthy to come into the presence of Jesus, and he appealed to the Jewish elders to make request for the healing of his servant. They were acquainted with the 316 Great Teacher, and would, he thought, know how to approach Him so as to win His favor.

Høvedsmandens tjener var ramt af en lammelse og var ved at dø. Hos romerne var tjenerne slaver, der blev købt og solgt på markederne og behandlet med hårdhed og grusomhed; men høvedsmanden holdt inderligt af denne tjener og ønskede meget, at han skulle blive helbredt. Han troede, at Jesus kunne helbrede ham. Han havde ikke set Frelseren, men de rygter, han hørte, havde indgivet ham denne tro. Trods jødernes formalisme var denne romer overbevist om, at deres religion stod over hans egen. Han havde allerede nedbrudt de skranker af nationale fordomme og had, som skilte erobrerne fra det besejrede folk. Han havde vist ærbødighed for dyrkelsen af Gud og havde vist jøderne venlighed som tilbedere af ham. Han havde i Kristi lære, som den var blevet indberettet til ham, fundet det, som kunne hjælpe sjælen i dens nød. Alt det, som var åndeligt i ham, var modtageligt for Frelserens ord. Men han følte sig uværdig til at være i Jesu nærhed, og han henvendte sig til jødernes ældste for at få dem til at gå i forbøn for hans tjeners helbredelse. De kendte godt den store lærer, og han mente, de ville vide, hvordan man bedst kunne henvende sig til ham for at vinde hans gunst.