Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The centurion’s deep humility shines through, not just in not wanting Jesus in his house, but in feeling unworthy even to come to Jesus himself. He bypasses any need for Jesus' physical presence, trusting entirely in the sheer authority of Jesus' spoken word to accomplish healing from afar.
Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished teaching the crowds and enters Capernaum, where a Roman centurion, a Gentile commander, desperately seeks his help for a beloved servant who is near death. The centurion, known for his love of the Jewish people and his generosity in building them a synagogue, has sent Jewish elders and now his friends to plead with Jesus on his behalf. This plea highlights the centurion's profound humility and his astonishing faith in Jesus' power, believing a single word from Jesus is enough to heal his servant, even from a distance.
This Roman commander, a man of authority himself, felt utterly unworthy to even have Jesus visit his home. Yet, his humility unlocks a profound understanding of Jesus' power.
The centurion’s humble statement, 'I did not deem myself worthy to come to you,' is striking. He recognized a spiritual authority in Jesus that far surpassed his own military rank. He understood that Jesus, unlike a human commander who needs to be physically present to exert authority, could act from a distance. His own experience of commanding soldiers – 'Go, and he goes; Come, and he comes; Do this, and he does it' – provided him a framework to grasp Jesus' divine ability to command even illness and death with just a word.
In a world hungry for tangible proof, this centurion bypassed the need for any physical sign or even Jesus’ presence. He placed his complete trust in something unseen: Jesus’ word.
The centurion’s faith is extraordinary because it transcends the need for physical interaction. He doesn't ask Jesus to come to his house, touch his servant, or perform a visible act. He says, 'But say the word.' This demonstrates a deep conviction that Jesus' command, spoken from wherever he was, held inherent power to heal. This isn't just a request; it's a declaration of belief in the efficacy of Jesus' spoken authority, recognizing that His word carries divine weight and accomplishes His will instantly.
Ask a follow-up
This event highlights Jesus' ministry in Galilee and shows a Roman centurion, a Gentile, demonstrating profound faith that impresses Jesus, leading to a miraculous healing from a distance.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching and performing miracles, drawing crowds and gaining renown.
c. 27-30 AD
Centurion's Servant is Ill
A Roman centurion's beloved servant falls gravely ill and is near death, prompting the centurion to seek Jesus' help.
c. 27-30 AD
Jewish Elders Plead for Jesus
The centurion, a respected figure who had built a synagogue, sends Jewish elders to Jesus, asking him to come and heal his servant.
c. 27-30 AD
Centurion Sends Friends with a Message
As Jesus approaches the centurion's house, the centurion sends friends with a message expressing his unworthiness to have Jesus enter and requesting a healing by word alone.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus Heals the Servant
Jesus, marvelling at the centurion's faith, declares the servant healed from afar, and the servant is restored to health at that very moment.
This passage shows Jesus healing an official's son from a distance with just his word, mirroring the centurion's faith and expectation of Jesus' authoritative word.
Matthew 8:8This is the parallel account in Matthew, where the centurion expresses similar humility and profound understanding of Jesus' authority, directly comparing Jesus' word to his own commands as a military man.
Genesis 1:3The centurion's belief that Jesus can heal with a word alone echoes the power of God's spoken word in creation, showing his understanding of Jesus as one who speaks with divine authority.
2 Kings 5:11Naaman's initial, indignant reaction to Elisha's instruction to wash in the Jordan reveals a similar expectation that healing or divine intervention would require a more elaborate, personal action, contrasting with the centurion's understanding of God's potent word.
1 Samuel 1:17Eli's response to Hannah's prayer, 'Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him,' demonstrates a divine affirmation through a spoken word, aligning with the centurion's trust in Jesus' word to bring about healing.
calvinLuke 7:1-10: "Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum."
- And when Jesus had entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, beseeching him, 6. And saying, Lord, my servant is lying at home afflicted with palsy, and is grievously tormented. 7. And Jesus saith to him, When I shall come, I will heal him. 8. And the centurion answering him said, Lord, I do not deserve that thou shouldst come under my roof: but only say the word, and my serva…
pulpitLuke 7:7: "Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed."
Verse 7. - But say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. The Gentile soldier's faith was really great. He had risen above the need of an outward sign, such as a touch or even the sound of a living voice. He needed no contact with the fringe of the Master's garment, asked for no handkerchief or apron that had touched his person (Acts 19:12). The word the Master would s…
The centurion’s deep humility shines through, not just in not wanting Jesus in his house, but in feeling unworthy even to come to Jesus himself. He bypasses any need for Jesus' physical presence, trusting entirely in the sheer authority of Jesus' spoken word to accomplish healing from afar.
Jesus has just finished teaching the crowds and enters Capernaum, where a Roman centurion, a Gentile commander, desperately seeks his help for a beloved servant who is near death. The centurion, known for his love of the Jewish people and his generosity in building them a synagogue, has sent Jewish elders and now his friends to plead with Jesus on his behalf. This plea highlights the centurion's profound humility and his astonishing faith in Jesus' power, believing a single word from Jesus is enough to heal his servant, even from a distance.
Jesus has just finished teaching the crowds and enters Capernaum, where a Roman centurion, a Gentile commander, desperately seeks his help for a beloved servant who is near death. The centurion, known for his love of the Jewish people and his generosity in building them a synagogue, has sent Jewish elders and now his friends to plead with Jesus on his behalf. This plea highlights the centurion's profound humility and his astonishing faith in Jesus' power, believing a single word from Jesus is enough to heal his servant, even from a distance.
"Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed." — The centurion’s deep humility shines through, not just in not wanting Jesus in his house, but in feeling unworthy even to come to Jesus himself. He bypasses any need for Jesus' physical presence, t…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026