1
When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum.
2
At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death.
3
When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave.
4
So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. âIf anyone deserves your help, he does,â they said,
5
âfor he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.â
6
So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, âLord, donât trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor.
7
I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.
8
I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, âGo,â and they go, or âCome,â and they come. And if I say to my slaves, âDo this,â they do it.â
9
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, âI tell you, I havenât seen faith like this in all Israel!â