Note 1 at Lu 7:3: This verse states that the centurion sent elders of the Jews to take a message to Jesus, while Matthew stated that the centurion himself came beseeching Him. Among most nations, both in Jesus' time and our own time, it is not uncommon to attribute an act to a person even if it was not done specifically by that person but by his or her designated authority. Jesus spoke in Joh 5:19 and 30 of this same principle being used in His ministry. He was "sent" by His Father and acted according to His Father's will (Joh 5:30).

Note 2 at Lu 7:3: The term "elders" designated three different groups in the New Testament: (1) older individuals, comparatively speaking (Lu 15:25, Ro 9:12, and 1Ti 5:2); (2) a loosely defined term that designated the religious and political leaders of Israel (Mr 8:31, this verse, and Ac 4:5-6)--members of the Sanhedrin consisted of elders, priests, and scribes (Mt 16:21); and (3) the early leaders of the apostolic church (Tit 1:5-9 and 1Ti 3:1-7).