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The Centurion’s Faith0/7

Scripture Story Sketch Notes · Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10

The Centurion’s
Faith

“Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” Matthew 8:8

A Roman officer in Capernaum had a servant near death. He felt unworthy to have Jesus enter his home, but he believed one word from Jesus would be enough.

Walk into Capernaum ↓ Read Luke 7:1–10 first
Hand-drawn doodle map of a winding path: Jesus and disciples walking into Capernaum by the sea, a sick servant on a mat cared for by a woman, a Roman centurion hurrying toward Jesus, the centurion bowing with a hand on his chest beside a row of soldiers with spears, Jesus speaking to a crowd, and the servant rising from his mat in a sunlit room.

Before you begin

The story in brief

When Jesus came into Capernaum, a Roman centurion, an army officer, had a servant he cared about deeply who was paralyzed and close to death. Luke says Jewish elders came to Jesus on his behalf, explaining that this Gentile officer loved their people and had built their synagogue. Jesus said, “I will come and heal him,” and started toward the house.

Before Jesus arrived, the centurion sent word: “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” As a soldier, he knew how a command works from a distance. Jesus marvelled and told the crowd, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” He told the centurion, “As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee,” and the servant was healed in that same hour.

Who’s who

  • Jesus Christ: whose word has power to heal
  • The centurion: a Roman officer, humble and full of faith
  • His servant: sick and close to death
  • The elders and friends: who carried the centurion’s requests

Where and when

Capernaum, a fishing town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus often taught.

Watch for the Savior

Watch how the centurion speaks about himself, and what Jesus says about his faith.

Read it yourself: Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10

Part 1 of 7

The way, mapped

Eight stops from the edge of Capernaum to a servant made whole. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.

    Part 2 of 7

    The story, plainly

    Four scenes: the elders plead, the centurion’s message, the crowd, and the house. Look for the Savior in each one.

    Read it plainly

    The words that trip people up

    Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.2

    1. Matthew 7:2“a certain ’s servant”
    2. Matthew 7:3“ him”
    3. Matthew 7:4“they besought him ”
    4. Matthew 8:6“sick of the ”
    5. Matthew 8:10“he ”
    6. Matthew 8:13“in the hour”

    Part 3 of 7

    Look closer

    Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from Church leaders, Church resources or outside sources. Each card says which.

    0 of 9 turned

    Part 4 of 7

    Where are you?

    Worried for someone, not worthy, an outsider, or trusting. Which feels most like you right now?

    Try it

    Speak the word

    The centurion trusted Jesus’s word without seeing Him come. Press and hold the button while the messengers walk back to the house. As you hold, His words appear.

    “Speak the word only.” Matthew 8:8

    Part 5 of 7

    Their world, their words

    A little background on Roman officers and Capernaum helps the story come alive. Outside sources are labeled.

    Church resource · Student manual

    Roman officers

    “The Jews generally viewed centurions with contempt, for they symbolized the Roman political and military authority.”3

    This one was different.

    Church resource · Student manual

    A good man

    “The centurion’s goodness was affirmed by elders of the Jews. He demonstrated genuine humility.”3

    Humble and kind.

    Church resource · Student manual

    Faith over feelings

    “The centurion, however, did not allow his feelings of unworthiness to prevent him from seeking the Savior’s help.”3

    He still came.

    Scripture · Luke 7

    Two tellings

    Matthew tells it simply; Luke adds that the centurion sent elders, then friends, and “neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee.”2

    Read both together.

    Word study · Greek

    hekatontarchés ἑκατοντάρχης · “centurion” (Matthew 8:5)

    Bible Hub: “a centurion, a captain of one hundred men.”6 Outside · lexicon

    The word itself means a leader of a hundred. A man used to giving orders humbly asked for help.1

    Word study · Greek

    hikanos ἱκανός · “worthy” (Matthew 8:8)

    Bible Hub: “sufficient, fit.”7 Outside · lexicon

    He felt he wasn’t enough for Jesus to enter his home. Jesus showed that faith, not status, is what matters.1

    What the text does not say

    Jesus doesn’t turn him away for feeling unworthy. He doesn’t require the centurion to be an Israelite, or to bring the servant to Him. He offers to come, then praises a humble outsider’s faith.1

    Part 6 of 7

    Look to Him

    He was willing to come, and His word had power to heal from a distance. He welcomes all who believe.

    “We can be worthy to enjoy certain privileges without being perfect.”

    Elder Marvin J. Ashton5
    “The Roman centurion held no priesthood, but through faith he asked the Lord to heal his servant.”
    Elder John K. Carmack4
    “Clearly the power to do great works comes from faith in Christ.”
    Elder John K. Carmack4
    “When we take it upon ourselves to pass self-judgment and simply declare, ‘I am not worthy,’ we build a barrier to progress.”
    Elder Marvin J. Ashton5

    The elders (Luke 7)

    They spoke for him

    “That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” Luke 7:4–5

    The friends (Luke 7)

    His message

    “Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof.” Luke 7:6

    Part 7 of 7

    Seek Him today

    A question to ask in prayer

    Who is someone I can bring to Thee in prayer, and what promise of Thine can I trust for them? Luke 7:2

    Listen for a name. Then pray for that person, trusting His word.

    Try it today

    One way to trust His word each day. It saves on this device, one day at a time.

    0 of 7 today

    This week:0 of 7 days

    A quiet moment

    “Speak the word only.”

    Read Matthew 8:5–13 slowly. Picture Jesus turning to the crowd and marvelling. What would it feel like to trust Him that much? Matthew 8:5–13

    A verse to hold

    Talk about it

    1. Who was sick, and why did the centurion care?
    2. Why did the centurion say he wasn’t worthy?
    3. What made Jesus marvel?
    4. How could the servant be healed without Jesus going to the house?
    Open

    For adults and deeper study

    Go deeper

    Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
    Church leader

    Elder John K. Carmack, “Faith Yields Priesthood Power” (1993)

    Putting faith first, and what we learn from the centurion and the woman of Canaan.4

    Read the talk →
    Apostle

    Elder Marvin J. Ashton, “On Being Worthy” (1989)

    Why we shouldn’t declare ourselves unworthy, and how worthiness differs from perfection.5

    Read the talk →
    Church resource

    New Testament Student Manual: Luke 4–8

    Centurions, the Capernaum synagogue, and the centurion’s humility and faith.3

    Read the chapter →
    Scripture

    Luke 7:1–10 and Matthew 8:5–13

    Read both accounts side by side to see what each Gospel writer adds.2

    Luke 7 →   Matthew 8 →
    To ponder

    Harder questions

    • How was the centurion both humble and full of faith at the same time?
    • What does his understanding of authority teach about Jesus’s power?
    • When have you trusted the Lord’s word before you could see the result?

    Sources

    Every quotation, gloss, and piece of background on this page is listed here: scripture first, then Church sources, then outside scholarship (labeled).

    Scripture

    1. Matthew 8:5–13: “Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.”
    2. Luke 7:1–10: the elders plead for him, and friends carry his message.

    Church leaders and Church resources

    1. New Testament Student Manual, “Luke 4–8”, Gospel Library.
    2. Elder John K. Carmack, “Faith Yields Priesthood Power”, general conference, April 1993.
    3. Elder Marvin J. Ashton, “On Being Worthy”, general conference, April 1989.

    Outside sources (labeled on the page)

    1. Strong’s 1543, hekatontarchés, Bible Hub lexicon.
    2. Strong’s 2425, hikanos, Bible Hub lexicon.

    Quotations checked against the linked pages on October 11, 2026. Scripture is quoted from the King James Version as published in the Gospel Library.

    “Speak the word only”

    He was willing to come, and His word was enough. Bring your needs to Him, and trust what He says. Matthew 8:8

    Back to this week: February 22–28 Earlier: Jesus Stills the Storm Next story: The Woman Who Washed His Feet All New Testament Story Sketch Notes Study Matthew 8 verse by verse
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    Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The words are in Matthew 8:5–13 and Luke 7:1–10; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.