Luke 7:6

KJV

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} Jesus {G2424} went {G4198} with {G4862} them {G846}. And {G1161} when he {G846} was {G568} now {G2235} not {G3756} far {G3112} from {G575} the house {G3614}, the centurion {G1543} sent {G3992} friends {G5384} to {G4314} him {G846}, saying {G3004} unto him {G846}, Lord {G2962}, trouble {G4660} not {G3361} thyself {G4660}: for {G1063} I am {G1510} not {G3756} worthy {G2425} that {G2443} thou shouldest enter {G1525} under {G5259} my {G3450} roof {G4721}:

Complete Jewish Bible

So Yeshua went with them. He had not gone far from the house, when the officer sent friends who said to him, "Sir, don't trouble yourself. I'm not worthy to have you come under my roof --

Berean Standard Bible

So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.

American Standard Version

And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself; for I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:6 captures a pivotal moment in the healing of the centurion's servant, revealing the centurion's extraordinary humility and profound faith. As Jesus approaches his home, the centurion sends friends to intercept Him, declaring himself unworthy to host the Lord under his roof and implicitly trusting in Jesus' authoritative word to heal from a distance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of Jesus' miracles and teachings in Galilee, specifically following the healing of a leper and a paralytic, and preceding the raising of the widow's son in Nain. Earlier in [Luke 7](/luke/7 "Luke 7 - Miracles and Teachings"), Jewish elders had approached Jesus on behalf of the centurion, vouching for his character and good deeds, including building their synagogue ([Luke 7:5](/luke/7-5 "Luke 7:5 - The Centurion's Good Deeds")). Jesus, moved by their appeal, began to go with them. The centurion's subsequent action in [Luke 7:6](/luke/7-6 "Luke 7:6 - The Centurion's Humility") to send friends to stop Jesus, expressing his unworthiness, sets the stage for Jesus' remarkable commendation of his faith in [Luke 7:9](/luke/7-9 "Luke 7:9 - Jesus Commends the Centurion's Faith"), highlighting its unparalleled nature in Israel. This account has a parallel in [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Centurion's Servant").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Capernaum, a significant center for Jesus' ministry and a Roman military outpost. A Roman centurion was a non-commissioned officer, commanding approximately 80-100 soldiers, and was typically a highly respected figure known for discipline, efficiency, and often, practical wisdom. For such a person, accustomed to giving orders and exercising authority, to humble himself before a Jewish rabbi was highly unusual and counter-cultural. Furthermore, Jewish purity laws would have deemed a Jewish person ritually unclean by entering a Gentile's home. The centurion's declaration of unworthiness for Jesus to enter his "roof" (home) likely reflects an awareness of these cultural and religious sensitivities, demonstrating not only personal humility but also respect for Jesus' Jewish identity and the customs He observed.

* **Key Themes:** [Luke 7:6](/luke/7-6 "Luke 7:6 - The Centurion's Humility") contributes to several major themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Profound Humility**, as a man of significant worldly authority recognizes his spiritual inadequacy before Jesus. Secondly, it showcases **Extraordinary Faith**, where the centurion believes in Jesus' ability to heal from a distance, without physical presence, demonstrating a deep understanding of Jesus' divine authority, a faith that Jesus Himself later marvels at in [Luke 7:9](/luke/7-9 "Luke 7:9 - Jesus Commends the Centurion's Faith"). Thirdly, the passage highlights **Jesus' Authority**, affirming that His word alone carries the power to command and heal. Finally, this account serves as a significant example of **Gentile Faith**, foreshadowing the inclusion of non-Jews into God's kingdom and underscoring that faith, not ethnicity or social status, is the criterion for receiving God's favor and healing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **worthy (Greek, _hikanós_):** (G2425) This word means "competent," "ample," or "fit." In the context of the centurion's statement, "I am not worthy," it conveys a profound sense of inadequacy and unworthiness in the presence of Jesus' holiness and power. It's not merely politeness but a deep, spiritual recognition of his own unfitness to host such a divine person.
* **trouble (Greek, _skýllō_):** (G4660) Literally meaning "to flay" or "to harass," this term is used figuratively here to mean "to weary" or "to bother." The centurion's plea, "trouble not thyself," expresses his profound respect and consideration for Jesus, desiring not to cause Him any inconvenience or distress, underscoring the depth of his reverence.
* **roof (Greek, _stégē_):** (G4721) This refers to the "thatch" or "deck" of a building, representing the centurion's home. His declaration that Jesus should not enter "under my roof" is a powerful expression of his humility and awareness of his own unworthiness, possibly also acknowledging the Jewish purity laws that would make a Jewish person ritually unclean by entering a Gentile's house.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Jesus went with them."**: This clause highlights Jesus' compassionate and immediate response to the centurion's plea, demonstrating His willingness to engage with those in need, regardless of their background or social standing.
* **"And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him,"**: This reveals the centurion's proactive and urgent faith. Rather than waiting for Jesus to arrive, he takes the initiative to send a second delegation, friends this time, to convey a more personal and deeply humble message, indicating his profound reverence and possibly a desire to spare Jesus any perceived ritual defilement.
* **"Lord, trouble not thyself:"**: This is a plea born of deep respect and consideration. The centurion, a man of authority, expresses concern for Jesus' comfort, implicitly acknowledging Jesus' superior status and power. It's a deferential request not to impose any burden on the Lord.
* **"for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:"**: This is the core of the centurion's humility and faith. He articulates his spiritual inadequacy to host Jesus, recognizing Jesus' immense holiness and authority. This statement encapsulates his profound reverence and understanding of the spiritual chasm between himself and the Son of God, possibly also reflecting an awareness of Jewish purity laws regarding Gentiles.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is evident in that a Roman centurion, a symbol of earthly power and foreign occupation, displays a faith and humility far surpassing that often found among those within Israel, including religious leaders. This sets up a **contrast** between the centurion's genuine faith and the more common skepticism or legalism Jesus encountered. The centurion's actions and words also serve as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the future inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom, a central theme in Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts. His humility, expressed through the declaration of unworthiness, is a powerful **motif** that resonates throughout the New Testament, emphasizing that God exalts the humble.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The centurion's profound humility and extraordinary faith, as expressed in [Luke 7:6](/luke/7-6 "Luke 7:6 - The Centurion's Humility"), offer deep theological insights. His recognition of his own unworthiness before Jesus' presence underscores the biblical truth of human sinfulness in the face of divine holiness. Yet, this humility is paired with an unparalleled faith in Jesus' authority and power, demonstrating that true faith does not rely on physical proximity or ritualistic adherence but on the authoritative word of Christ. This narrative challenges the notion that God's favor is limited by social status, ethnicity, or religious background, highlighting that genuine faith, regardless of its origin, is what truly impresses God and elicits His divine response. The centurion's example serves as a powerful testament to the principle that "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" ([James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")).

* [Matthew 8:8](/matthew/8-8 "Matthew's parallel account of the centurion's words")
* [James 4:10](/james/4-10 "Humility before the Lord")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by grace through faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The centurion's actions in [Luke 7:6](/luke/7-6 "Luke 7:6 - The Centurion's Humility") present a profound challenge and model for contemporary believers. His radical humility calls us to examine our own hearts, recognizing our inherent unworthiness before a holy God, not as a source of despair, but as the foundation for embracing His boundless grace. His extraordinary faith, trusting in Jesus' word alone, compels us to move beyond a reliance on tangible evidence or physical presence, and instead place our unwavering confidence in the authoritative power of Christ's spoken word. In a world that often values self-assertion and visible accomplishments, the centurion's example reminds us that true spiritual strength lies in humble submission and absolute trust in Jesus' supreme authority over all circumstances, seen and unseen. We are invited to cultivate a faith that believes Jesus' word is sufficient, even when the solution seems distant or impossible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the centurion's humility challenge your own perception of self-worth and entitlement in God's presence?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you tempted to rely on physical presence or tangible evidence, rather than the authoritative power of Jesus' word?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper recognition of Jesus' supreme authority over all circumstances, as exemplified by the centurion, and allow that recognition to shape your prayers and actions?**

### FAQ

**Why did the centurion send friends instead of coming himself?**

Answer: While the parallel account in [Matthew 8:5](/matthew/8-5 "Matthew 8:5 - The Centurion Comes to Jesus") might suggest the centurion approached Jesus directly, Luke's account provides more detail, indicating he first sent Jewish elders ([Luke 7:3](/luke/7-3 "Luke 7:3 - Jewish Elders Sent to Jesus")) and then, as Jesus approached, sent friends ([Luke 7:6](/luke/7-6 "Luke 7:6 - Centurion Sends Friends")). This layered approach likely stems from a combination of factors: his profound humility (feeling unworthy to approach Jesus directly), his respect for Jewish purity laws (not wanting to cause Jesus to become ritually unclean by entering a Gentile home), and possibly a cultural understanding that sending respected intermediaries was a more appropriate way to convey such a weighty and humble request to a revered teacher.

**What does "not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof" imply?**

Answer: This phrase, "not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof," encapsulates the centurion's profound humility and reverence for Jesus. It signifies his deep awareness of his own spiritual inadequacy or sinfulness in the presence of Jesus' divine holiness. Beyond personal humility, it also likely acknowledges the prevailing Jewish purity laws, which would have made a Jewish rabbi ritually unclean by entering a Gentile's home. The centurion's statement thus demonstrates not only an extraordinary spiritual insight into Jesus' true nature but also a remarkable cultural sensitivity and respect for Jesus' person and background.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The centurion's remarkable faith and humility in [Luke 7:6](/luke/7-6 "Luke 7:6 - The Centurion's Humility") serve as a powerful foreshadowing of the expansive nature of Christ's redemptive work. His understanding that Jesus' word alone was sufficient for healing, even from a distance, points directly to the spiritual reality that salvation and healing are not contingent on physical proximity or human effort, but on the authoritative declaration of Christ. This Gentile's exemplary faith, which Jesus Himself marvels at ([Luke 7:9](/luke/7-9 "Luke 7:9 - Jesus Commends the Centurion's Faith")), breaks down the conventional religious and ethnic barriers, anticipating the New Covenant truth that in Christ, there is no longer "Jew or Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")). The centurion's humility, acknowledging his utter unworthiness for Jesus to enter his home, prefigures the ultimate act of humility by Christ, who, though worthy of all glory, "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")), entering into the brokenness of humanity to offer salvation to all who, like the centurion, recognize their need and trust in His sovereign word. His faith, therefore, is a beacon of the universal call to salvation through Christ, available to all who believe ([Romans 10:9-13](/romans/10-9-13 "Romans 10:9-13 - Confession and Belief for Salvation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Mark 5:24

And [Jesus] went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Luke 8:49

While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's [house], saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

Luke 15:19

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Luke 15:21

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Proverbs 29:23

¶ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.