Building from Joel Green’s comments on Luke 7:1-10, I suggest a combination of chiastic and parallel structure in the passage:
A. Centurion’s slave is ill, v 2 B. Centurion sends delegation of Jews, v 3 C. Jews convince Jesus the centurion is “worthy,” vv 4-5 D. Jesus responds by going with them, v 6a B’. Centurion sends a delegation of “friends,” v 6b C’. Friends insist that the centurion is “not worthy,” vv 6c-8 D’. Jesus responds by commending the centurion’s faith, v 9 B”. Second delegation returns to house, v 10a A’. Slave is healthy, v 10b
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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