Matthew 8 5

Matthew 8:5 kjv

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

Matthew 8:5 nkjv

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,

Matthew 8:5 niv

When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.

Matthew 8:5 esv

When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,

Matthew 8:5 nlt

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him,

Matthew 8 verses

Matthew 8 5 Meaning

Upon Jesus' arrival in Capernaum, a significant center for His ministry, He was approached by a Roman centurion who earnestly sought His help. This interaction sets the stage for a powerful display of Jesus' authority and the remarkable faith of a Gentile outsider.

Matthew 8 5 Context

Matthew 8:5 serves as a transition point in Jesus' public ministry within Matthew's Gospel. Chapters 5-7 record Jesus' extensive teachings, particularly the Sermon on the Mount, which outlines the character and conduct of those in the Kingdom of Heaven. Chapter 8 then immediately pivots to Jesus demonstrating His divine authority through powerful actions—healings and control over nature and evil spirits. The Centurion's servant healing is the second in a series of ten miracles in Chapters 8-9, intended to prove Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount and authenticate His identity as the Son of God, the Messiah with unparalleled power.

Capernaum, situated on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, was Jesus' primary operating base in Galilee. It was a thriving fishing village and a significant customs post for the Romans, thus hosting a Roman military presence. For a Roman centurion, representing the occupying power, to approach a Jewish rabbi for help was an extraordinary act, demonstrating deep humility and a surprising faith that defied social and national norms. This encounter highlights the pervasive nature of Jesus' influence and the early inklings of the gospel reaching beyond Jewish boundaries.

Matthew 8 5 Word analysis

• When Jesus entered (Εἰσελθόντι δὲ αὐτῷ): Marks the immediate aftermath of Jesus' descent from the mountain where He delivered the Sermon (Mt 8:1). The Greek verb "εἰσέρχομαι" (eiserchomai), "to go into, enter," indicates a definitive change of location and the commencement of new events, shifting from teaching to active ministry.
• Capernaum (Καφαρναούμ): Transliteration from Hebrew, Kfar Nahum, "village of Nahum." A strategically important town in Galilee, significant as Jesus' primary base of operations for His ministry (Mt 4:13), making it a focal point for encounters and miracles. Its multi-ethnic population (Jewish, Roman, Gentile) underscores the setting for broader gospel outreach.
• a centurion (ἑκατοντάρχης): Greek: hekatontarchēs. A Roman military officer commanding approximately 100 soldiers. These officers were typically disciplined, reliable, and respected figures in the Roman army. Their presence in Jewish lands signified Roman occupation. For such an individual to seek out a Jewish rabbi illustrates an extraordinary degree of humility, desperate need, and initial trust in Jesus' power. This defies cultural expectations, as Roman officers were usually disdainful of Jewish customs and leaders.
• came to him (προσῆλθον αὐτῷ): Greek: proselthon autō. The verb "προσέρχομαι" (proserchomai) means "to come near, approach." It often implies an intentional and earnest movement, suggesting not a casual encounter but a purposeful drawing near, often in prayer or petition.
• asking for help (παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν): Greek: parakalōn auton. The participle "παρακαλῶν" (parakalōn) is from "παρακαλέω" (parakaleō), which means "to call to one's side, implore, beseech, appeal to." It conveys a strong sense of urgency, humility, and earnest petition, often used in contexts of seeking divine aid or comfort. It’s more than a casual request; it's a heartfelt plea from a position of need.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "When Jesus entered Capernaum": This phrase immediately places the reader in a key geographical and ministerial context for Jesus. It signifies a transition from Jesus' teaching authority demonstrated in the Sermon on the Mount to the display of His practical authority in deeds, establishing Capernaum as the stage for this new phase.
• "a centurion came to him": This grouping introduces the central figure of the narrative—a Roman centurion. The uncharacteristic action of a powerful Roman officer seeking a Jewish rabbi's aid immediately highlights humility and unexpected faith. This detail foreshadows a major theme in Matthew and early Christianity: the inclusion of Gentiles and the recognition of Jesus' authority beyond ethnic boundaries.
• "asking for help": This short phrase communicates the Centurion's urgent purpose. The Greek term for "asking for help" (parakalōn) conveys not a mere inquiry but a passionate plea or imploring, revealing his genuine distress and reliance on Jesus' unique ability. It sets the tone for a humble petition for intervention from the Divine.

Matthew 8 5 Bonus section

The seemingly direct encounter in Matthew's account ("a centurion came to him") subtly compresses events compared to Luke's version (Lk 7:1-10), where the centurion initially sends Jewish elders, and then friends, highlighting his deep humility and sense of unworthiness to personally approach Jesus. Matthew’s concise narration emphasizes the Centurion's initiative and the directness of his remarkable faith. This incident starkly contrasts the centurion's open-hearted approach with the often-skeptical posture of the religious leaders, foreshadowing Jesus' later pronouncement that "many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside" (Mt 8:11-12). Thus, the centurion is not merely a beneficiary of healing but a living parable, embodying the surprising recipients of divine grace.

Matthew 8 5 Commentary

Matthew 8:5 is a foundational verse that sets the stage for one of the most powerful displays of faith and authority in the Gospels. As Jesus descends from the mountain, transitioning from teaching into miraculous activity, He enters Capernaum. The introduction of the centurion immediately signals the breaking of conventional boundaries. This Roman officer, a symbol of military might and the occupying power, humbling himself before a Jewish rabbi, is deeply significant. His "asking for help" is not a casual request but a heartfelt, desperate plea, revealing a profound personal need. This moment beautifully demonstrates Jesus' universal accessibility, attracting even those typically excluded from the religious circles of the time. The scene lays the groundwork for Jesus to affirm that truly great faith can be found in unexpected places, particularly among those who recognize their inadequacy and wholly rely on His authority. It’s a vivid precursor to the expansive reach of the gospel beyond the confines of Israel.