The Healing of the Captain’s Helper ^(A)

7 When Jesus had finished teaching the people, He went back to Capernaum. ² A captain of the army had a servant whom he thought much of. This servant was very sick and was about to die. ³ When the captain heard of Jesus, he sent some Jewish leaders to Him. They were to ask if He would come and heal this servant. ⁴ They came to Jesus and begged Him, saying, “The man is respected and should have this done for him. ⁵ He loves our nation and has built our Jewish place of worship.”

⁶ Jesus went with them. When He was not far from the house, the captain told some friends to tell this to Jesus, “Lord, do not take the time to come to my house, because I am not good enough. ⁷ And I am not good enough to come to You. But just say the word and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I am a man who works for someone else also, and I have soldiers who work for me. I say to this man, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I say to my workman, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

⁹ Jesus was surprised when He heard this. He turned to the people following Him and said, “I tell you, I have not found so much faith even in the Jewish nation.” ¹⁰ Those who had been sent went back to the captain’s house and found the servant well again.