For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” – Luke 7:8
Bible Verses About Centurions
Faith of the Centurions
In the Bible, we see that centurions demonstrated remarkable faith. Their trust in God was not rooted in traditional religious practices but rather in a personal belief that resonated deeply within them. They recognized the authority of Jesus and understood His power over illness and death. We learn from their stories that faith can often grow outside of church boundaries and laws, creating a space for miracles to happen. This teaches us that we, too, can trust God in situations where we may feel out of control or uncertain. Our faith does not have to be perfect; it just needs to be genuine.
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” – Matthew 8:10
Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. – Matthew 8:13
Luke 7:9
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” – Luke 7:9
Acts 10:22
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” – Acts 10:22
Acts 10:44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. – Acts 10:44
Centurions and the Message of Jesus
The actions of the centurions in the New Testament highlight their unique relationships with Jesus and His message. Through their interactions, we see how they acted as bridges between the Romans and the Jewish people. Their faith and willingness to follow Jesus’ teachings emphasize that the message of love, kindness, and redemption is open to all, regardless of background or status. We should strive to reflect this inclusive nature in our daily lives, remembering that the grace of God is meant for everyone. Let’s take inspiration from their example and extend kindness and acceptance to all people around us.
Luke 23:47
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” – Luke 23:47
Matthew 27:54
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:54
Mark 15:39
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:39
Acts 10:28
He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.” – Acts 10:28
Acts 11:18
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” – Acts 11:18
Centurions as Servants
The role of centurions was not solely about leadership or authority; they were also servants. In their function as leaders of soldiers, they demonstrated what it means to care for others. Their willingness to serve was mixed with courage and consideration, reflecting principles we can embody in our own lives. We live in a world that sometimes pushes us to seek authority or recognition, but we can find true strength in serving others, just as these centurions did. Let us remember that being a servant leader is a powerful way to impact those around us positively.
Luke 7:6
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
Matthew 27:54
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:54
Mark 15:44
Pilate was surprised to hear that he should already be dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. – Mark 15:44
Matthew 8:9
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” – Matthew 8:9
Acts 10:7
When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. – Acts 10:7
Centurions and God’s Authority
Centurions recognized authority in ways that many of us can learn from today. They observed how Jesus operated within His divine authority and trusted in His power—their understanding of hierarchies helped them grasp the divine order at play. As Christians, we are called to respect God’s authority above all and trust that His plans for us align with His greater purpose. Through our faith and obedience, we can experience the incredible ways God works in our lives and the lives of others, even in unexpected circumstances.
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” – Matthew 8:10
Luke 7:9
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” – Luke 7:9
Acts 10:22
The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” – Acts 10:22
Acts 10:43
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” – Acts 10:43
Philippians 2:10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. – Philippians 2:10
Centurions and Compassion
Even within their military role, centurions were known for their compassion. They showed great concern and care for their servants and the people they led. In our faith lives, we ought to embody this compassion that Jesus displayed through each interaction. By emulating the kind hearts of these centurions, we can create a community filled with love, patience, and kindness. Our testimony can shine brightly when we actively care for others, showing that compassion goes a long way in reflecting God’s love.
Luke 7:2
There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. – Luke 7:2
Luke 7:3
So he sent elders to the Jews, asking them to come and ask the Lord for him. “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.” – Luke 7:3
Acts 10:4
Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” – Acts 10:4
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. – 1 Peter 3:8
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:32
Centurions in the Narrative of God’s Plan
The presence of centurions in the Bible plays a significant role in illustrating God’s overarching plan for humanity. They represent how God can use anyone, from any nation, to fulfill His will. Their participation in the New Testament stories emphasizes that God’s grace is available to everyone—Jew and Gentile alike. As we walk our faith journey, let us embrace the diversity in our communities and recognize that every person has a part to play in God’s grand design, reinforcing the importance of unity and love among all believers.
Acts 10:1
At Caesarea, there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. – Acts 10:1
Matthew 8:10
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” – Matthew 8:10
Matthew 27:54
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:54
Luke 23:47
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” – Luke 23:47
Mark 15:39
And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” – Mark 15:39
Final Thoughts
As we explore the stories and lessons from the lives of centurions, we find incredible examples of faith, compassion, and humility. These leaders recognized the power of Jesus and demonstrated qualities that each of us can bring into our daily lives. Like the centurions, we are called to serve, to have faith, and to extend our love to everyone around us. This equips us to embrace our part in God’s plan and helps us to remember that we are all partakers of His grace. Let us take these lessons to heart and apply them as we grow in our walks with Christ.
Let’s be mindful an engaging with those around us, influenced by the examples set by these remarkable centurions. We can strive for a life full of kindness and understanding, impacting our communities positively. For those who wish to delve deeper into the narratives surrounding centurions, check out more about Acts 10:13 or Luke 7:3. Let these stories guide and inspire us on our faith journey.