And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

MATTHEW 8:13KJV
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Matthew 8:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 8:13 mean?

Matthew 8:13 shows Jesus telling the centurion to go on his way, assuring him that his servant will be healed just as the centurion believed. The verse reports that the servant was healed at that very hour, highlighting the immediate result of the centurion’s faith.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to a Roman centurion who had asked for his servant to be healed. The centurion had shown remarkable trust in Jesus’ authority, believing that Jesus could heal from a distance. Jesus responds by affirming that the healing will happen according to the centurion’s faith, and the narrative confirms the servant’s healing took place right then.

The Greek behind Matthew 8:13

  • πιστεύω (pisteuō, "believed"): This word means to trust or have faith. Jesus connects the centurion’s belief directly to the outcome, showing that faith is central to what happens.
  • γενέσθω (genesthō, "be it done"): This is a command form meaning “let it happen” or “let it be done.” Jesus is not just predicting but authoritatively declaring the healing.
  • ἐθεραπεύθη (etherapeuthē, "was healed"): This verb is in the passive, showing the servant received healing, not by his own action, but as something done for him.
  • ἐν τῇ ὥρᾳ ἐκείνῃ (en tē hōra ekeinē, "in the selfsame hour"): This phrase means the healing was immediate, not delayed, emphasizing the power and effectiveness of Jesus’ word.

Why Matthew 8:13 matters

  • Matthew 8:13 clears up any idea that Jesus needed to be physically present to heal; his authority works at a distance, which was unusual for ancient healers.
  • The verse highlights the importance of faith, showing that Jesus responds to genuine trust, even from a non-Jewish centurion.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing that Jesus’ power and compassion extend beyond traditional boundaries, setting the tone for more examples of faith and healing in Matthew’s Gospel.

Where else these words appear

“centurion” Greek G1543 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
  • Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
  • Acts 24:23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

“servant” Greek G3816 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Luke 1:54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
  • Luke 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

“healed” Greek G2390 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
  • Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
  • John 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

“way” Greek G5217 · used in 77 verses

  • Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
  • Mark 7:29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
  • John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?