Luke 7
A centurion's faith
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
In Capernaum, a centurion's highly valued servant is dying. The centurion, a Gentile officer, sends Jewish elders to Jesus, who plead that he deserves help because he loves their nation and built their synagogue. As Jesus approaches, the centurion sends friends to say he is not worthy to have Jesus under his roof, and that Jesus need only give the word. Jesus marvels at his faith, and the servant is found well.
What does this mean?
A centurion commanded a unit of roughly eighty to a hundred soldiers. "Servant" translates a word that usually means slave.
Historical context
Galilee was ruled by Herod Antipas, not directly by Rome, so this officer may have served in Antipas's forces, which were organised on Roman lines. Gentiles who admired Judaism and supported synagogues without converting are known from inscriptions; Acts calls such people "God-fearers." A devout Jew entering a Gentile home risked ritual impurity, which may lie behind the centurion's message.
Why does it matter?
The centurion never meets Jesus. His trust in the power of Jesus' word at a distance anticipates the Gentiles in Acts who believe, beginning with another centurion, Cornelius (Acts 10). Matthew 8:5–13 tells a similar story in which the centurion comes in person.
Editorial notes, not scripture.