Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant
A Roman centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus marvels at his faith—greater than any He has found in Israel.
Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10
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The Story
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 'Lord,' he said, 'my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.'
Jesus said to him, 'Shall I come and heal him?'
The centurion replied, 'Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, "Go," and he goes; and that one, "Come," and he comes. I say to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.'
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, 'Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.'
Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.' And his servant was healed at that moment.
The centurion was a Gentile, a Roman soldier—an outsider. Yet he understood something profound about Jesus' authority. He didn't need Jesus to come physically; he recognized that Jesus' word alone carried power. Just as his own commands were obeyed instantly by soldiers, he believed Jesus' command would be obeyed by sickness and even death.
Jesus was amazed—a rare response recorded in the Gospels. This pagan soldier had greater faith than anyone in Israel.
The Soldier's Faith
Kids Version
In the town of Capernaum, there was a Roman soldier called a centurion. He was in charge of 100 soldiers! Romans were the rulers, and Jewish people didn't usually like them.
But this centurion was different. He cared about his servant, who was very sick and couldn't move.
The centurion heard that Jesus was in town. He sent some friends to ask Jesus for help.
Jesus started walking toward the centurion's house. But before He got there, the centurion sent another message:
'Lord, I don't deserve to have You come to my house. Just SAY the word, and I know my servant will be healed. I understand how authority works. I tell my soldiers to go, and they go. I tell them to come, and they come. I know that if You just give the command, sickness has to obey You!'
When Jesus heard this, He was AMAZED!
He turned to the crowd. 'Wow! I haven't found faith like this anywhere in Israel! This man really understands who I am!'
Then Jesus said, 'Go home. Because you believed, your servant is healed.'
At that very moment, the servant was completely well!
The centurion believed Jesus' word was powerful enough to heal from a distance. He didn't need Jesus to touch his servant or come to his house. He just trusted Jesus' authority.
That's the kind of faith that amazes Jesus!
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Scripture — Matthew 8:5-13 (KJV)
5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
10When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
Memory Verse
“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,”
— Matthew 8:5 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant” in the Bible?
A Roman centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus marvels at his faith—greater than any He has found in Israel. This story is found in Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10.
Where is “Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant” is found in Matthew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant”?
This story teaches children about Faith, Authority, Gentiles included, Jesus' power. A Roman soldier asked Jesus to heal his servant. He believed Jesus just had to SAY it, and it would happen. Jesus said He'd never seen such great faith!