In brief
The centurion of Capernaum is a Roman officer commanding about a hundred soldiers, stationed in the town where Jesus made his home. His servant, to whom he is deeply attached, is close to death. He asks Jesus to heal him but considers himself unworthy to receive him under his roof: “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus marvels at a faith he has not found in Israel, and the servant is healed in that very hour. A Gentile becomes a model of faith for all.
What does the name The Centurion of Capernaum mean?
The Bible does not give his name. The word “centurion” (Latin centurio) designates a Roman officer at the head of about a hundred men; he is called “of Capernaum” because the scene takes place at the entrance to that Galilean town (Matthew 8:5; Luke 7:1). He should not be confused with Cornelius, the centurion of Caesarea (Acts 10).
The story of The Centurion of Capernaum
A servant at the point of death
Luke 7:1-3Jesus enters Capernaum. A centurion has a servant “who was dear to him,” sick and at the point of death. Having heard about Jesus, he sends elders of the Jews to ask him to come and save his servant. From the start, this officer stands out by the value he places on the life of a mere servant.
A Roman who loves Israel
Luke 7:4-5The elders plead earnestly: “He is worthy for you to do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.” This foreign occupier has won the esteem of the town’s Jews by his goodwill toward them. Jesus goes with them toward the centurion’s house.
I am not worthy
Matthew 8:7-9Jesus replies, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion objects: “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Himself under authority, he commands his soldiers with a word; he believes Jesus’ word has the same authority over sickness.
A faith Jesus admires
Luke 7:9Jesus marvels at him. Turning to the crowd, he declares, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matthew adds that many will come from the east and the west to sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven: faith, not origin, opens the door.
Healed in that hour
Matthew 8:13Jesus says to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that very hour. Luke adds that those who had been sent, returning to the house, found the servant well. Jesus never entered the house: his word was enough, just as the officer had believed.
Test your knowledge
What The Centurion of Capernaum teaches us
- Jesus does not need to be physically present to act: a word from him is enough, and you can pray for those who are far away.
- Humility and faith go together: acknowledging that you are unworthy does not prevent you from expecting great things from Jesus.
- Faith depends neither on your origin nor on the religion you were born into; a Gentile surpassed all Israel in faith.
- Care for those who depend on you, like this centurion who tried everything to save his servant.
Key verses
The centurion’s answer joins humility and trust: unworthy to receive Jesus, he still believes a single word will be enough. This sentence has become a prayer for many Christians.
Jesus is astonished at the faith of this foreigner: he has found none like it in Israel. Genuine faith surprises even the Lord and brings him joy.
The elders testify that the centurion loves Israel and built their synagogue. His faith does not come out of nowhere: it grew out of his esteem for the God of Israel.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about The Centurion of Capernaum
- Admit Your Powerlessness: Jesus Is Still Your Only HopeThe message compares the royal official of John 4 with the centurion of Matthew 8 and Luke 7, with whom Jesus enters into dialogue, offers to come in person and marvels at his faith.
- Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace While There Is Still TimeThe preacher recalls that Jesus held up two people for their great faith, the centurion and the Canaanite woman, and that this faith grows in prayer.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the centurion of Capernaum in the Bible?
He is a Roman officer stationed in Capernaum whose servant is close to death. He asks Jesus to heal him with a single word, without entering his home, because he considers himself unworthy. Jesus admires his faith and heals the servant from a distance (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10).
Why did Jesus admire the centurion’s faith?
The centurion believes that Jesus’ word has authority over sickness, just as his own word has authority over his soldiers. He demands no visit and no gesture, only a word. Jesus declares he has not found such great faith in Israel: a foreigner understands who Jesus is better than many of his own countrymen (Matthew 8:9-10).
Where is the story of the centurion of Capernaum in the Bible?
The story is found in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. Matthew presents the centurion speaking directly to Jesus, while Luke explains that he sends elders of the Jews, then friends, to carry his words. The account in John 4:46-54, with a royal official, is a different story.