The Faith of the Centurion

(Matthew 8:5–13, John 4:43–54)

7 When [Jesus] had concluded His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum. 2 [There] a highly valued servant of a centurion was sick [and] about to die. 3 When [the centurion] heard about Jesus, he sent [some] Jewish elders to ask Him to come [and] heal his servant. 4 They came to Jesus [and] pleaded with Him earnestly “[This man] is worthy to have You grant this 5 for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”

6 So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message “Lord, {do} not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to You. But [just] say [the] word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I [myself] am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell [one] to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. [I tell] my servant to do [something], and he does [it].”

9 [When] [Jesus] heard [this], [He] marveled at [the centurion]. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” 10 And [when] the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant in good health.