The Faith of the Centurion
"Just say the word"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
In Capernaum, a Roman centurion's servant was dying, and Jewish elders asked Jesus to come, saying the centurion deserved it. As Jesus came near, the centurion sent friends to say, "I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Jesus was amazed and said he had not found such great faith even in Israel, and the servant was healed.
Where it is in the Bible: Luke 7:1-10
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God.
- A centurion: A Roman army officer in charge of about 100 soldiers. He is not Jewish.
- The centurion's servant: A servant he values highly. He is very sick.
- Jewish elders and the centurion's friends: People who carry messages to Jesus.
Setting
- Capernaum, a town on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus often stayed.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, right after Jesus finished a long teaching.
Before the Story
Jesus had just finished a long teaching. He told people to love their enemies and to build their lives on his words (6:27, 6:47-48).
Rome ruled the land. Roman soldiers were stationed in many towns. Many people saw them as enemies.
Centurions were officers. A centurion led about a hundred soldiers (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Here's what you know: Jesus has already shown that his word has power. He has healed people with a word (4:39).
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A servant near death | 7:1-2 | A centurion's servant is dying |
| 2. Elders plead | 7:3-5 | Jewish leaders ask Jesus to come |
| 3. "Just say the word" | 7:6-8 | The centurion sends a surprising message |
| 4. Great faith | 7:9-10 | Jesus is amazed, and the servant is healed |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4A Servant Near Death
Jesus finished teaching and went to Capernaum.
In that town, a centurion had a servant he valued very much. The servant was sick and about to die.
Scene 2 of 4Elders Plead
The centurion heard about Jesus. He sent some Jewish elders to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant. Elders were respected older leaders.
They came to Jesus and begged him. "This man is worthy to have You grant this," they said, "for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue" (7:4-5).
So Jesus went with them.
Scene 3 of 4"Just Say the Word"
Jesus was almost at the house. Then the centurion sent some friends with a message.
"Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof" (7:6).
The elders had said the centurion was worthy. The centurion said he was not.
He said that was why he didn't come himself. "But just say the word, and my servant will be healed" (7:7).
He explained. He was a man under authority, with soldiers under him. When he told a soldier "Go," the soldier went. When he said "Come," the soldier came.
He knew how orders work. He believed Jesus only had to give the order, and the sickness would have to obey.
Scene 4 of 4Great Faith
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at the centurion.
He turned to the crowd following him. "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith" (7:9).
The messengers went back to the house. They found the servant well.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "He loves our nation and has built our synagogue" (7:5) | This Roman officer was kind to God's people. |
| "I am not worthy to have You come under my roof" (7:6) | He knew he had no right to ask anything of Jesus. |
| "Just say the word" (7:7) | He trusted that Jesus's word had power, even from far away. |
| "I myself am a man under authority" (7:8) | He understood that Jesus's word is like a command that must be obeyed. |
| "Not even in Israel have I found such great faith" (7:9) | An outsider trusted Jesus more than many insiders did. |
Back Then
Roman soldiers were not popular. Rome had conquered the land. Many people resented the soldiers. This centurion was different. He loved the Jewish people and built a synagogue.
Jewish people usually did not enter the homes of non-Jews. Doing so could make them unclean by their customs. The centurion may have been trying to spare Jesus trouble.
Matthew tells this story too. In Matthew, the centurion comes himself (Matthew 8:5-13). Luke tells about the messengers. Both show the same faith.
Literal Reader Alert
The elders said he was worthy, and he said he wasn't. Who was right? He wasn't worthy because of his good deeds. Nobody is. But his faith was great. Jesus healed his servant as a gift.
Did Jesus ever go into the house? No. Jesus healed the servant from a distance, just by his word.
Do Christians still say the centurion's words? Yes. In some churches, people say words like "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word" before Communion.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The centurion | Worried | His servant was dying (7:2) |
| The elders | Eager | They pleaded with Jesus (7:4) |
| The centurion | Humble | He said he wasn't worthy (7:6) |
| Jesus | Amazed | He found great faith (7:9) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you want to ask Jesus for, like the centurion did? Tap one.
Someone who is sick
The centurion asked for his servant. You can pray for someone by name.
I don't feel worthy
Neither did the centurion. Jesus helped him anyway. You can come as you are.
Help me trust his word
That's a good prayer. The centurion trusted that one word from Jesus was enough.
I'm an outsider
The centurion was an outsider too. Jesus praised his faith.
You Might Have Heard
"God helps people who deserve it."
What's true: The centurion was a kind man who did good things.
What the story is mainly about: He didn't ask Jesus to come because he was worthy. He said, "I am not worthy." He trusted Jesus's word. Faith doesn't point to what we've done. It points to Jesus.
Where Jesus is: On the road, about to reach the house. And healing a servant he never saw, by his word alone.
Good News
The centurion knew he didn't deserve Jesus's help. He asked anyway, because he trusted Jesus's word.
"Just say the word, and my servant will be healed" (7:7).
Jesus's word still has that power. He speaks it to you in Scripture, in Baptism, and in the Lord's Supper. It does what it says.
You don't have to be worthy. Jesus's word has power, and he speaks it for you.
Big Idea
The centurion knew he wasn't worthy, but he trusted Jesus's word. Jesus only had to say the word, and it was done.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that God's word does what it says. In the Small Catechism, he teaches that it is not the water in Baptism that does such great things. It is God's word, together with the water, and faith that trusts that word.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Luke 7:1-10 in Year C, after Pentecost (Lectionary 9). In years when Easter is late, it is also read on the Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
How did that feel?
You finished The Faith of the Centurion.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 9 Year CGospel, Luke 7:1–10
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Faith of the Centurion, explained in plain words. A Roman officer says he isn't worthy. He asks Jesus to just say the word. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-faith-of-the-centurion/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church