The Faith of the Centurion
Matthew 8:5-13
Matt.8.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εισελθοντος: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- Καφαρναουμ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- προσηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εκατονταρχος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- παρακαλων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 7:1-10 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the centurion who comes to Jesus in Capernaum; many shared words and narrative details (the centurion's plea and Jesus' response).
- Matthew 4:13 (structural): Places Jesus in Capernaum earlier in Matthew's narrative (establishes the setting that Matthew 8:5 picks up—Jesus living/working in Capernaum).
- John 4:46-54 (thematic): Another story of a non-Jewish official (a royal official) who seeks Jesus' healing power on behalf of someone else—parallels the motif of an authority figure appealing to Jesus for healing.
- Acts 10:1-8 (thematic): Cornelius, a Gentile centurion who fears God and seeks divine help through a messenger—parallels the theme of a centurion's faith and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's saving work.
- Matthew 27:54 (thematic): Another centurion who encounters Jesus (at the crucifixion) and confesses Jesus as God's Son—echoes the motif of centurions recognizing Jesus' identity and authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him and appealed to him,
- Now when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, entreating him,
Matt.8.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λεγων·Κυριε: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m;NOUN,voc,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παις: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- βεβληται: VERB,perf,mp,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- οικια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- παραλυτικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- δεινως: ADV
- βασανιζομενος: VERB,pres,mp,ptcp,nom,m,sg
Parallels
- Luke 7:2-10 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the centurion’s servant: same report that the servant/child lies at home paralyzed and is grievously tormented; the story and wording closely correspond to Matthew’s pericope.
- Matt.8:13 (structural): Immediate sequel within Matthew’s pericope: Jesus responds to the centurion and the servant is healed ‘at that hour,’ showing the outcome of the request in 8:6.
- John 4:46-54 (thematic): A non-local official requests healing for a family member (son) who is ill at home; theme of faith/trust and healing at a distance parallels the centurion episode.
- Matt.9:2-8 (thematic): Healing of a paralytic brought to Jesus: shares the motif of paralysis and faith in Jesus’ authority to heal (and, in Matthew 9, link with authority to forgive sins).
- Acts 9:33 (thematic): Peter heals Aeneas, who had been bedridden and paralyzed; echoes the early Christian motif of restoration from paralysis through the authority of Jesus/apostles.
Alternative generated candidates
- saying, "Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed, grievously tormented."
- and saying, 'Lord, my servant lies at home paralysed, suffering terribly.'
Matt.8.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Εγω: PRON,dat,sg,m,3+PRON,nom,sg,1
- ελθων: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,sg,m
- θεραπευσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 7:6-10 (structural): Parallel account of the centurion’s servant: Jesus begins to go or respond to the request but the centurion expresses faith that a word will suffice; the episode ends with Jesus marveling and the servant healed.
- Matt.8:13 (structural): Immediate outcome within the same Matthean pericope: Jesus’ promise (cf. 'I will come and heal him') is followed by the servant’s healing, emphasizing faith and Jesus’ authority to heal.
- John 4:50 (thematic): Another instance of healing at a distance: Jesus tells the royal official to 'go; your son lives,' demonstrating the theme that Jesus can heal by a word without coming in person.
- Mark 5:22-24, 35-43 (thematic): The Jairus episode where a father pleads 'come and lay hands on her' and Jesus goes; contrasts with Matthew’s centurion story by showing Jesus coming in person to heal and raising the daughter.
- Matt.9:18-19 (thematic): A parallel Matthean request—'my daughter is dead; but come and lay your hand on her'—showing the recurring motif of petitioners asking Jesus to come and heal/revive loved ones.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."
- And Jesus said to him, 'I will come and heal him.'
Matt.8.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αποκριθεις: PART,aor,pass,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εκατονταρχος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εφη·Κυριε: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ικανος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- υπο: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- στεγην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εισελθης·αλλα: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,sg
- μονον: ADV
- ειπε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- λογω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ιαθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παις: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μου·: PRON,gen,sg,1
Parallels
- Luke 7:6-10 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the centurion’s request; many of the same words and Jesus’ commendation of the centurion’s faith appear here.
- Matthew 8:13 (structural): Immediate narrative fulfillment: Jesus speaks a word and the servant is healed, demonstrating the authority Jesus exercised at a distance in response to the centurion’s faith.
- John 4:46-50 (verbal): Another case of healing at a distance where Jesus says, 'Go; your son will live,' and the man believes Jesus’ word—paralleling the theme of faith in Jesus’ spoken authority.
- Matthew 15:28 (thematic): The Canaanite woman’s faith is praised by Jesus and results in healing for her daughter—a thematic parallel highlighting Gentile faith and Jesus’ responsive authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the centurion answered, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof; only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
- But the centurion answered, 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof; only say the word, and my servant will be healed.'
Matt.8.9 - 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
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,part,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: VERB,aor,pass,imp,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- πορευεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- αλλω·Ερχου: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δουλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- μου·Ποιησον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ποιει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 7:8 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: the centurion uses the same language about being a man under authority who says to one 'Go' and to another 'Come,' showing direct literary correspondence.
- Luke 7:1-10 (structural): Parallel episode: Luke's fuller account of the centurion's plea to Jesus, preserving the same storyline and thematic emphasis on delegated authority and faith.
- Matthew 8:10-13 (structural): Immediate Matthean context: Jesus praises the centurion's faith and heals the servant—shows the effect of the authority model the centurion describes (Jesus' command produces obedience/healing).
- Matthew 28:18 (thematic): Thematic parallel about authority: Jesus' declaration that 'all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me' corresponds to the centurion's concept that authoritative command issues obedience—linking human/delegated authority to Jesus' own authoritative power.
- Psalm 103:20 (thematic): Biblical motif of authoritative command and prompt obedience: angels 'doing his word' illustrate the wider scriptural idea that a legitimate authority issues commands that are immediately carried out, paralleling the centurion's example.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
- For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; I say to this one, "Go," and he goes; and to another, "Come," and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.'
Matt.8.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ακουσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εθαυμασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- ακολουθουσιν·Αμην: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,dat,pl,m
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- παρ᾽ουδενι: PREP
- τοσαυτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ισραηλ: PROPN,acc,sg,m
- ευρον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Luke 7:9 (quotation): Parallel account of the centurion: Jesus declares, 'Not even in Israel have I found such faith,' essentially the same praise found here.
- Matt.8:13 (structural): Immediate conclusion of the pericope: Jesus grants the healing 'as you believed,' linking the centurion's great faith to the miraculous outcome.
- Matt.15:28 (thematic): Jesus praises the Canaanite woman's faith ('O woman, great is your faith!'), a thematically similar commendation of extraordinary faith shown by a non‑Israelite.
- Mark 6:6 (verbal): Uses the same verb 'marveled' (ἐθαύμασε) of Jesus' reaction—here at people's unbelief—providing a verbal and thematic contrast to his marveling at great faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Jesus heard it he marveled and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found such faith even in Israel."
- When Jesus heard it he marveled and said to those who followed him, 'Truly I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.'
Matt.8.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- ανατολων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- δυσμων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- ηξουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ανακλιθησονται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
- μετα: PREP
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ισαακ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιακωβ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,f
- ουρανων·: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 13:29 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: 'people will come from east and west and recline at table in the kingdom of God'—close Synoptic parallel to Matthew's heavenly banquet imagery.
- Isaiah 25:6 (thematic): Prophetic image of a messianic banquet for all peoples ('a feast of rich food for all peoples') echoes the kingdom-banquet motif and universal inclusion in Matthew.
- Genesis 12:3 (allusion): God's promise to Abraham that 'all peoples on earth will be blessed' undergirds Matthew's portrayal of Gentiles reclining with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- Psalm 22:27-28 (thematic): Declaration that 'all the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD' and nations will worship parallels the motif of peoples from east and west entering God's realm.
- Romans 4:13 (thematic): Paul's interpretation that the promise to Abraham is of heirs 'of the world' reflects the NT theme that Gentiles share in the patriarchal promise—resonant with Matthew's inclusion of nations in the kingdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I tell you that many will come from east and west and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at table in the kingdom of heaven,
- And I tell you that many will come from east and west and will sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt.8.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- υιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- βασιλειας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εκβληθησονται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- σκοτος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- εξωτερον·εκει: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κλαυθμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βρυγμος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,f
- οδοντων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 22:13 (verbal): Uses the same language—being thrown into 'outer darkness' with 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' (parable of the wedding feast), echoing exclusion of those presumed to belong.
- Matthew 25:30 (verbal): The worthless servant is 'cast into outer darkness' where there is 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' (judgment motif repeated in Matthean eschatology).
- Luke 13:28 (verbal): Foretells 'weeping and gnashing of teeth' at the sight of the patriarchs—parallels the same phrase as a consequence of exclusion from the banquet/kingdom.
- Matthew 13:42 (verbal): Speaks of the wicked being thrown into the furnace of fire and experiencing 'wailing and gnashing of teeth'—a closely related Matthean judgment formula (different imagery but same outcome).
- Matthew 8:11 (structural): Immediately contrasts Matt. 8:12: many ('from east and west') will sit with the patriarchs in the kingdom, highlighting the reversal whereby expected 'sons of the kingdom' are excluded and cast into darkness.
Alternative generated candidates
- while the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
- But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt.8.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- εκατονταρχη·Υπαγε: NOUN,dat,sg,m+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- ως: ADV
- επιστευσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- γενηθητω: VERB,aor,pass,imp,3,sg
- σοι·και: PRON,dat,sg,2+CONJ
- ιαθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- παις: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ωρα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εκεινη: DEM,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 7:1-10 (verbal): Same centurion story in Luke; Jesus marvels at the centurion's faith and the servant is healed at the word, mirroring Matthew's account (esp. Luke 7:9-10).
- John 4:49-53 (structural): A remote healing where Jesus tells the father to 'go' and the father believes; the official's son is healed at the hour — parallel pattern of faith, a verbal command, and immediate healing at a distance.
- Matt 9:29 (verbal): Jesus' formulaic promise 'According to your faith let it be done to you' echoes the faith-centered wording of Matt 8:13, linking healing/result to the recipient's faith.
- Matt 15:28 (thematic): In the Canaanite woman's case Jesus grants the request because of her faith ('Great is your faith; be it done for you as you desire'), thematically paralleling the centurion episode's emphasis on faith as the basis for healing.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jesus said to the centurion, "Go; as you believed, let it be done for you." And the servant was healed at that hour.
- And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.' And the servant was healed at that very hour.
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him,
and saying, 'Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed, grievously tormented.' And Jesus said to him, 'I will come and heal him.' But the centurion answered, 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof; only say the word, and my servant will be healed.'
For I am a man 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 it, he marveled and said to those following him, 'Truly I tell you, I have not found such great faith in Israel.' And I tell you that many will come from east and west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.' And the servant was healed at that very hour.