Jesus Heals Servant of a Centurion of Capernaum

Luke 7:1-10; Matthew 8:5-13; Faith, righteousness, and the hope of eternal salvation are not confined to members of the chosen race. Manifesting faith greater than any theretofore exhibited to Jesus by Israel, this Gentile centurion prevailed upon the Master to heal a beloved servant without so much as having our Lord come to the sick bed.

Luke 7:1-10; Matthew 8:5-13; The centurion's reasoning—profound in logic, perfect in showing forth faith—was to this effect: If I, a mere officer in the Roman army, must obey my superiors, and also have power myself to send others forth at my command, then surely the Lord of all needs but speak and his will shall be done.

Luke 7:1-10; Matthew 8:5-13; No better setting could have been arranged to give our Lord opportunity to teach the eternal gospel truth that salvation is for the righteous of all nations, all of whom shall sit down with Abraham and his fellow prophets in the everlasting kingdom of the Father. See Luke 13:22-30.

Matthew 8:5. A centurion] "A Roman legionary officer commanding a century (i.e. from 50 to 100 men, the hundredth part of a legion), and occupying the social position of a modern sergeant or non-commissioned officer." (Dummelow, p. 653.)

Matthew 8:12; 12. Outer darkness] See Luke 16:19-31.

I. V. Matthew 8:12. Children of the wicked one] Not children of the kingdom, as the King James Version has it, but children or followers of the devil. All who do not follow Christ and keep his commandments are so classified. (Alma 5:38-40.) Children of the kingdom are faithful members of the Church who adhere to the standards of the kingdom. They are followers or disciples of the Master, having accepted the doctrines and obeyed the ordinances of the Church or kingdom.