57. The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant. Mt. 8:5–13; Lk. 7:2–10

After this, Jesus entered Capernaum. Now a certain centurion had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was sick and near death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent to Him some Jewish elders asking Him to come and heal his slave, saying to Him on his behalf: “Lord, my slave is lying at home paralyzed and suffering terribly. Please heal him.”

So when Jesus entered Capernaum, those who had been sent came to Him and earnestly implored Him, saying: “He is worthy of this, for he loves our nation and he himself built us the synagogue.” Jesus said to them: “I will come and heal him.” And He went with them.

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. For this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You; but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I am also a man set under authority, and I have 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.”

When Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that was following Him, He said: “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

And Jesus said to the centurion through those who had been sent: “Be it done for you as you have believed.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Those who had been sent, returning to the house, found the sick servant well.