The Faith of the Centurion
Luke 7:1-10
Luke.7.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Επειδη: CONJ
- επληρωσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ρηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ακοας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- λαου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εισηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- Καφαρναουμ: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 8:5 (structural): Matthew opens the parallel centurion episode with Jesus in Capernaum—the same narrative sequence (entering Capernaum leading into the centurion story) as Luke 7:1–10.
- Luke 4:31 (verbal): Luke previously records Jesus 'going down to Capernaum' and teaching there; the wording and the motif of teaching in/entering Capernaum closely mirror Luke 7:1.
- Matthew 4:13 (thematic): Matthew describes Jesus leaving Nazareth and going to Capernaum as his Galilean base—the same theme of movement to Capernaum as a setting for Jesus' ministry.
- Mark 2:1 (structural): Mark records Jesus' return/entry into Capernaum and the subsequent scene of teaching and healing (the paralytic), using Capernaum as a recurring setting much like Luke 7:1.
- John 2:12 (verbal): John uses the phrase 'after this he went down to Capernaum' to mark movement to Capernaum after prior events—paralleling Luke's use of Capernaum as the next location in Jesus' itinerary.
Alternative generated candidates
- After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
- After he had finished all his words in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
Luke.7.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εκατονταρχου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- δουλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κακως: ADV
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ημελλεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τελευταν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εντιμος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 8:5-13 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the centurion whose servant is sick: same story and dialogue showing Jesus' response to a Roman officer's faith.
- Luke 7:1-10 (structural): The wider Lucan pericope containing verse 2; the narrative context (centurion, servant, envoy, Jesus' commendation of faith) is developed across these verses.
- Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30 (thematic): Parallel theme of a Gentile (non‑Jewish) requester seeking healing for a household member; highlights unexpected faith outside Israel and Jesus' willingness to heal.
- Matthew 27:54 (thematic): Another centurion scene where a Roman officer recognizes Jesus' identity/authority (at the cross); thematically linked by the motif of a centurion expressing insight or faith regarding Jesus.
Alternative generated candidates
- A centurion had a servant whom he valued highly, and the servant was sick and about to die.
- A centurion had a servant whom he valued highly, who was sick and near death. When the centurion heard of Jesus, he sent to him the elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.
Luke.7.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ακουσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- περι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- απεστειλεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- πρεσβυτερους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ερωτων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- οπως: CONJ
- ελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- διασωση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- δουλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 8:5-13 (verbal): Direct parallel account of a centurion seeking Jesus to heal his servant; Matthew and Luke preserve the same story with differing emphasis (Matthew records the centurion speaking directly; Luke includes sending elders and friends).
- John 4:46-54 (thematic): A royal official (an outsider) asks Jesus to heal a household member at a distance—shared motif of an authority figure petitioning Jesus for the healing of someone in his service/family and the ensuing display of Jesus' power.},{
Alternative generated candidates
- When the centurion heard of Jesus, he sent to him the elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.
- When they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, 'He is worthy for you to grant this to him.'
Luke.7.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- παραγενομενοι: VERB,part,pres,mp,nom,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- παρεκαλουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- σπουδαιως: ADV
- λεγοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,masc
- οτι: CONJ
- Αξιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- παρεξη: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 8:5-13 (structural): Parallel healing episode of a centurion’s servant; overall narrative corresponds to Luke 7:1-10 though Luke omits the centurion’s direct speech and emphasizes the Jewish elders’ plea.
- Matthew 8:8 (verbal): The centurion’s own reply “Lord, I am not worthy…” contrasts verbally with the messengers’ statement in Luke that the centurion is ‘worthy’ for Jesus to come.
- Matthew 8:10 (thematic): Jesus’ commendation of the centurion’s faith in Matthew parallels Luke 7:9 where Jesus marvels at the centurion’s faith—both highlight faith as basis for the healing.
- John 4:47-50 (thematic): Another instance of a non-Jewish official’s plea and a healing at a distance; emphasizes faith and authoritative word of Jesus effecting recovery, paralleling themes in Luke 7.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for you to grant this to him; for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us."
- 'For he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.'
Luke.7.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αγαπα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εθνος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- συναγωγην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- ωκοδομησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
Parallels
- Matthew 8:5-13 (structural): Parallel centurion pericope; both narratives report a Gentile officer whose faith is commended. Matthew omits the synagogue detail but mirrors the same encounter and themes of Gentile faith and Jewish intermediaries.
- Luke 7:3-4 (structural): Immediate literary context: the Jewish elders plead with Jesus on the centurion’s behalf and describe him as loving their nation and having built their synagogue (verse 5), so these verses form a single narrative unit explaining how Jesus came to be informed.
- Acts 10:1-2 (thematic): Cornelius, another Gentile described as God-fearing and generous, exemplifies Gentile piety and goodwill toward Israel; thematically comparable to the centurion who ‘loves our nation’ and supports Jewish worship.
- Isaiah 56:6-7 (thematic): The prophet’s portrayal of foreigners joining and serving in the Lord’s house (‘my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’) resonates with the motif of a Gentile benefactor building a synagogue and honoring Israel’s worship life.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jesus went with them. But when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof."
- Jesus went with them. And when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying, 'Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.'
Luke.7.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επορευετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- συν: PREP
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ηδη: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- μακραν: ADV
- απεχοντος: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- οικιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- επεμψεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- φιλους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εκατονταρχης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λεγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- αυτω·Κυριε: PRON,dat,sg,m
- μη: PART
- σκυλλου: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- ικανος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- υπο: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- στεγην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εισελθης·: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 8:8 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: the centurion tells Jesus he is not worthy that Jesus should enter his house (same humble refusal).
- Matthew 8:5-13 (structural): The parallel pericope (the centurion’s servant healed) containing the same sequence—centurion’s plea, Jesus’ commendation of faith, and the healing from a distance.
- Luke 7:1-10 (structural): Immediate Lucan context of the same episode; these verses set up the centurion’s message and the messengers he sends (Luke 7:6 is embedded in this unit).
- Luke 7:9 (thematic): Jesus’ response—marveling at the centurion’s faith—directly follows the centurion’s refusal to have Jesus enter, linking humility before Jesus with remarkable faith.
- Luke 5:8 (thematic): A parallel motif of unworthiness before Jesus’ presence: Simon Peter’s confession (‘Depart from me… I am a sinful man’) echoes the humble language of not being worthy to receive Jesus into one’s house.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.
- 'Therefore I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.'
Luke.7.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διο: CONJ
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- εμαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ηξιωσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- ελθειν·αλλα: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ειπε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- λογω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ιαθητω: VERB,aor,pass,imp,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παις: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μου·: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Matthew 8:8 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: the centurion declares he is unworthy for Jesus to enter and trusts that a word from Jesus will heal his servant.
- Matthew 8:13 (structural): Jesus' response and the immediate fulfillment of healing at a distance — confirms the efficacy of 'say the word' and Jesus' authority to heal without physical presence.
- John 4:50 (thematic): Another instance of healing at a distance by Jesus' spoken word ('Go; your son will live'), highlighting the theme of faith in Jesus' word producing healing.
- Acts 3:6 (thematic): Peter heals by speaking in the name of Jesus rather than by physical means, connecting to the broader theme of authority/word-based healing tied to Jesus' power.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.
- 'For I myself am a man subject to authority, with soldiers under me. I say to one, Go, and he goes; to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.'
Luke.7.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υπο: PREP
- εξουσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τασσομενος: PART,perf,pas,nom,sg,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- υπ᾽εμαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,1
- στρατιωτας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τουτω·Πορευθητι: PRON,dat,sg,m+VERB,aor,pass,imp,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- πορευεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- αλλω·Ερχου: ADJ,dat,sg,m+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δουλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- μου·Ποιησον: PRON,gen,sg,1+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ποιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 8:9 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel of the centurion's statement about authority and soldiers obeying orders (the same illustration appears in Matthew's account).
- Matthew 8:5-13 (structural): Parallel pericope recounting the same centurion episode (faith in Jesus' authority to heal at a distance) and its outcome.
- Luke 8:24-25 (thematic): Shows Jesus' authority over nature—people marvel that even winds and waves obey him—echoing the theme of command and immediate obedience.
- Romans 13:1-4 (thematic): Discusses being 'under authority' and rulers/agents who carry out orders, paralleling the centurion's understanding of delegated authority and obedience.
- Matthew 28:18 (thematic): Jesus' claim that 'all authority in heaven and on earth' has been given to him complements the centurion's reliance on delegated authority to effect obedience and results.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and he turned to the crowd that followed him and said, "I tell you, I have not found so great faith—not even in Israel."
- When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him he said, 'I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.'
Luke.7.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ακουσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εθαυμασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- στραφεις: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ακολουθουντι: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οχλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ειπεν·Λεγω: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- τοσαυτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 8:10 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Jesus declares he has not found such great faith even in Israel, speaking of the centurion's faith.
- Matthew 8:5-13 (structural): The Synoptic parallel of the centurion story (healing of the servant) that culminates in Jesus' commendation of the centurion's faith.
- Matthew 15:28 (thematic): Jesus praises the faith of a non‑Jew (the Canaanite/Syrophoenician woman): 'Great is your faith,' a similar commendation of Gentile faith.
- Mark 6:6 (thematic): Contrasting instance where Jesus 'marvelled'—here at the people's unbelief—highlighting Luke 7:9's motif of Jesus' amazement at exceptional faith (or lack thereof).
Alternative generated candidates
- And those who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant whole who had been sick.
- And those who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Luke.7.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- υποστρεψαντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οικον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πεμφθεντες: VERB,aor,pas,ptc,nom,pl,m
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- δουλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υγιαινοντα: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 8:13 (verbal): Synoptic parallel of the centurion’s servant healed; Matthew likewise reports the servant was healed 'that hour,' closely matching Luke’s concluding report.
- John 4:51-53 (thematic): Royal official’s son healed at a distance by Jesus’ word; messengers return and report the child alive—same motif of healing via Jesus’ command and messengers finding the person well.
- Acts 10:38 (thematic): Summary of Jesus’ power to heal and do good—provides theological context for Luke’s account of Jesus healing the centurion’s servant.
- Luke 7:1-10 (structural): The immediate pericope containing the centurion’s plea and Jesus’ response; verse 10 serves as the narrative conclusion reporting the servant’s recovery.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they came to Jesus, they reported all these things to him.
- When Jesus entered the house of the centurion, he found the servant healed.
After he had finished all his words in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
A centurion had a servant whom he valued highly; the servant was sick and near death.
When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they entreated him earnestly, saying, 'He is worthy for you to grant this to him;'
'for he loves our people, and he himself built our synagogue.'
Jesus went with them. And when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, 'Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.'
'Therefore I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant will be healed.'
'For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to one, "Go," and he goes; and to another, "Come," and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.'
When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him he said, 'I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.' And those who were sent returned to the house and found the servant healed.