Matthew 8:8

Matthew 8:8 is the eighth verse of the eighth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. This verse continues the miracle story of healing the centurion's servant, the second of a series of miracles in Matthew.

Matthew 8:8
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Jesus and the centurion in Capernaum (Matthew 8:5), miniature, Codex Egberti,
Book	Gospel of Matthew
Christian Bible part	New Testament

Content

In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort this verse is:

αποκριθεις δε ο εκατονταρχος εφη κυριε ουκ ειμι ικανος ινα

μου υπο την στεγην εισελθης αλλα μονον ειπε

λογω και ιαθησεται ο παις μου

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:

The 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.

The New International Version translates the passage as:

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 a collection of other versions see BibleHub Matthew 8:8.

Analysis

This verse is closely paralleled at Luke 7:6, but Matthew drops the extra complication of the Centurion first sending friends to talk to Jesus.[1]

The Centurion clearly acknowledges his subordinate position to Jesus, though the term translated as Lord does not necessitate the Centurion recognize Jesus as divine.[2]

The concern about entering the house could be related to prohibitions on Jews entering the homes of Gentiles, but the gospel writer makes no mention of this. It is more likely the offer not to have to travel is an example of the supplication of the Centurion and the great power of Jesus.[1]

Miracles at a distance were considered to be more difficult in contemporary writings of the time.[2] This is the first mention in the Gospel of Jesus having this ability.

References

1. Gundry, Robert H. Matthew a Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982. pg 143
2. Craig S. Keener (1999). A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 267. ISBN 978-0-8028-3821-6.