Matthew 8:5

When Jesus entered Capernaum. See note on Matthew 4:13. He returned to the place he made his home after the Sermon on the Mount, and the healing of the leper. Compare Luke 7:1-10. A Roman officer met him. Roman occupation forces controlled Palestine at this time. Their headquarters were in Caesarea, and soldiers were stationed in every town. This man was a centurion, comparable to our rank of captain, and he was probably the commander of the garrison at Capernaum. A Gentile, he did not approach Jesus in person, but through some Jewish elders (Luke 7:3). Probably he thought Jesus would listen to them more favorably. These Jewish elders were happy to speak a good word for this man, because he had built a synagogue (Luke 7:5), either to gain their favor, or he may have been a religious man like Cornelius. Ruins of a synagogue were found at Tel Hum, thought to be Capernaum, and perhaps these were of the one built by this Roman officer, in which Christ preached.