Luke 7 6

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:

Luke 7:6 nkjv

Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.

Luke 7:6 niv

So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.

Luke 7:6 esv

And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.

Luke 7:6 nlt

So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, "Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor.

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 6 Meaning

Luke 7:6 describes the profound humility of the Roman centurion. As Jesus approached his house to heal his servant, the centurion sent messengers—friends—to intercept Him. Through them, he conveyed a heartfelt plea for Jesus not to trouble Himself by entering his home, expressing his personal conviction that he was utterly unworthy for Jesus to step under his roof. This demonstrates the centurion's extraordinary faith in Jesus's authority and His ability to heal by word alone, without needing physical proximity or entry.

Luke 7 6 Context

Luke chapter 7 initiates with the account of the Roman centurion in Capernaum whose servant is gravely ill. The narrative begins with Jewish elders approaching Jesus on the centurion's behalf, commending him as worthy and one who loved their nation and built their synagogue. In Luke 7:6, as Jesus accompanies these elders and approaches the centurion's home, the centurion takes further initiative, sending "friends" instead. This second delegation reflects an escalation of his humility and a profound shift in perspective from his previous indirect plea. This setting highlights the clash of power dynamics—a high-ranking Roman officer humbling himself before a Jewish teacher, illustrating deep faith despite significant social and religious divides.

Historically, Capernaum was a Roman administrative center in Galilee. Roman centurions held significant authority, typically viewed with awe and, at times, resentment by the conquered Jewish population. For such an officer to demonstrate such abject humility and trust in a Jewish rabbi was extraordinary, challenging societal norms and Jewish expectations about Gentiles. The act of sending friends rather than appearing himself (as implied by Matthew's account or if he had persisted in his initial approach via the elders) suggests a heightened awareness of Jewish purity laws which often discouraged Jews from entering Gentile homes due to ritual impurity.

Luke 7 6 Word analysis

• Then Jesus went with them.

  • Then (τότε, tote): Connects directly to the previous action. Jesus immediately responds to the appeal, signifying His compassion and readiness to act.
  • went with them (ἐπορεύετο σὺν αὐτοῖς, eporeueto syn autois): Jesus's willingness to go signifies His intention to fulfill the request and approach the centurion's house, a step that often involved entering a Gentile dwelling, a potentially contentious act for a devout Jew by Rabbinic standards, yet Jesus was prepared.

• And when he was now not far from the house,

  • not far from (οὐ μακρὰν ἀπὸ, ou makran apo): Emphasizes proximity. This detail is significant because it highlights the centurion's proactive decision to prevent Jesus from drawing closer, thus heightening his humility and his recognition of Jesus's remote power. The near-arrival makes the centurion's interjection more urgent and unexpected.
  • the house (τῆς οἰκίας, tēs oikias): Refers specifically to the centurion's dwelling.

• the centurion sent friends to him,

  • the centurion (ὁ ἑκατοντάρχης, ho hekatontarchēs): A Roman military officer in charge of about one hundred men. His high status makes his subsequent humility particularly striking.
  • sent (ἔπεμψεν, epempsen): This second dispatch of messengers (compared to the Jewish elders in v.3) indicates a fresh and deepened wave of humility or a changed understanding of Jesus's identity and power.
  • friends (φίλους, philous): Rather than more formal representatives (like the elders or his own soldiers), sending "friends" suggests a more personal and earnest plea, reinforcing the sincerity of his request. It contrasts with the official nature of the initial embassy by the elders.

• saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself:

  • saying (λέγων, legōn): Communicating a direct message through the proxies.
  • Lord (Κύριε, Kyrie): A respectful address, but in this context, given the centurion's subsequent words and Jesus's reaction, it carries connotations beyond mere social respect for a teacher. It acknowledges Jesus's authority and perhaps even a dawning recognition of His divine power or supreme standing.
  • trouble not thyself (μὴ σκύλλου σεαυτόν, mē skyllou seauton): Literally "do not tear/vex/harass/disturb yourself." This plea indicates the centurion's care for Jesus and a recognition that Jesus would exert Himself for a lesser person. It's a deferential and reverent request for Jesus to conserve His energy or presence because it is too sacred for his impure space.

• for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

  • for (γάρ, gar): Introduces the reason for his previous statement.
  • I am not worthy (οὐ γὰρ ἱκανός εἰμι, ou gar hikanos eimi): A profound statement of self-abasement. Hikanos means "sufficient," "competent," or "adequate." Here, "worthy" encapsulates his absolute recognition of his own unworthiness in contrast to Jesus's holiness and authority. This humility, coming from a man of Roman authority, is shocking and striking.
  • that thou shouldest enter (ἵνα ὑπο τὴν στέγην μου εἰσέλθῃς, hina hypo tēn stegēn mou eiselthēs): "That you enter under my roof."
    • under my roof (ὑπο τὴν στέγην μου, hypo tēn stegēn mou): This idiom signifies entering one's home and sharing hospitality. The centurion implies that his very dwelling, his sphere of life, is unsuitable for Jesus. This phrase beautifully illustrates his understanding of the barrier between his Gentile status and Jesus's sacredness and potentially Jewish purity customs, which often prohibited Jews from entering Gentile homes to avoid ritual defilement (as seen later in Acts 10). He respects Jesus's sanctity so highly that he does not want Him to become ceremonially unclean by entering his Gentile home. His concern for Jesus’s purity underlines his deep reverence.

Luke 7 6 Bonus section

The account of the centurion in Luke is often compared with the parallel in Matthew 8:5-13. While the core message of great faith and humility is consistent, Luke's version distinctly highlights the sequence of messengers (Jewish elders first, then "friends"), underscoring the centurion's intensifying humility and the gradual unfolding of his reverence for Jesus as He drew near. Matthew's account portrays the centurion coming directly, which simplifies the narrative but less powerfully illustrates the depth of his self-abasement as seen in Luke's progressive revelations. Luke, known for his attention to the marginalized and Gentiles, emphasizes this narrative to highlight how faith transcends social status and ethnic barriers. The centurion's profound understanding of spiritual authority ("only say the word") also foreshadows the expansive nature of the Gospel message—that God's saving power is not confined to geographic locations or ritualistic entry but operates universally through His authoritative word. This event implicitly argues against rigid interpretations of ritual purity, showing Jesus's readiness to bless Gentiles despite traditional boundaries.

Luke 7 6 Commentary

Luke 7:6 serves as the climactic pivot point, showcasing the centurion's exemplary humility and deep faith. What began as a formal request through respected Jewish elders transforms into a raw expression of personal unworthiness conveyed through trusted friends. The centurion, a man accustomed to giving orders, recognizes a higher authority in Jesus—one so great that physical presence is unnecessary. His declaration, "I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof," encapsulates a profound understanding: his dwelling, his very being, falls short of the purity and power embodied by Christ. This isn't just about cultural sensitivities or ritual purity, though those may play a part; it's a deep-seated humility before the manifest glory and authority he perceives in Jesus. This Gentile's faith, remarkable in its perception of Jesus's remote power, stands as a testament to the universality of the gospel and a direct challenge to the often-rigid religiosity of the time, prompting Jesus to marvel at such extraordinary trust later in the narrative.

Examples of this principle today could include:

• A Christian leader feeling profoundly inadequate before embarking on a great ministry, knowing their reliance is solely on God's power.
• Someone overwhelmed by their sin yet coming to Christ for salvation, recognizing their unworthiness but trusting in His ability to save.