1 After Jesus had finished teaching all this to the people, he entered Capernaum.2 A centurion there had a slave who was highly regarded, but who was sick and at the point of death.3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave.4 When they came to Jesus, they urged him earnestly, "He is worthy to have you do this for him,5 because he loves our nation, and even built our synagogue."6 So Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof!7 That is why I did not presume to come to you. Instead, say the word, and my servant must be healed.8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him. He turned and said to the crowd that followed him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith!"10 So when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.
- This incident occurs in Capernaum, Jesus' base of operations in Galilee (Luke 4:31).
- A centurion was a Roman military officer commanding about 100 soldiers, indicating this man was a Gentile.
- The Jewish elders advocate for the centurion, highlighting his positive relationship with the Jewish community, including funding their synagogue—an unusual act for a Roman officer.
- The centurion demonstrates remarkable humility, considering himself unworthy to have Jesus enter his home, possibly due to awareness of Jewish purity laws regarding entering Gentile houses (Acts 10:28).
- His faith is rooted in his understanding of authority: just as his commands are obeyed, he believes Jesus' word alone has the authority to heal, even from a distance.
- Jesus expresses amazement ("thaumazō" in Greek) at the centurion's faith, a rare reaction from him, usually reserved for lack of faith.
- Jesus contrasts the Gentile centurion's profound faith with the general lack of faith he encountered among Israelites (Luke 7:9). This highlights that faith, not ethnicity, is key to receiving God's blessing.
- The healing happens instantly upon Jesus' commendation of the centurion's faith, demonstrating Jesus' authority over sickness and distance.
- This story foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God's plan of salvation through faith in Christ.