Luke 7:6
Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 36
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐπορεύετο
went
G4198
ἐπορεύετο
went
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
4 of 36
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
5 of 36
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
αὐτῷ,
him
G846
αὐτῷ,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 36
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτῷ,
him
G846
αὐτῷ,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 36
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀπέχοντος
when he was
G568
ἀπέχοντος
when he was
Strong's:
G568
Word #:
12 of 36
(actively) to have out, i.e., receive in full; (intransitively) to keep (oneself) away, i.e., be distant (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
13 of 36
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίας
the house
G3614
οἰκίας
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
15 of 36
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
ἔπεμψεν
sent
G3992
ἔπεμψεν
sent
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
16 of 36
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
17 of 36
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτῷ,
him
G846
αὐτῷ,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 36
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 36
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φίλους
friends
G5384
φίλους
friends
Strong's:
G5384
Word #:
21 of 36
actively, fond, i.e., friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)
λέγων
saying
G3004
λέγων
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
22 of 36
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ,
him
G846
αὐτῷ,
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 36
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
24 of 36
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
25 of 36
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
28 of 36
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἱκανός
worthy
G2425
ἱκανός
worthy
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
30 of 36
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
ὑπὸ
under
G5259
ὑπὸ
under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
32 of 36
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
Cross References
Mark 5:24And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.James 4:6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.Luke 8:49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
Historical Context
Entering a Gentile home would render a Jew ceremonially unclean. The centurion's awareness of this restriction shows deep respect for Jewish purity laws and sensitivity to the potential cost to Jesus' ministry among His own people. Peter would later learn this barrier was abolished (Acts 10).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the centurion's humility ('I am not worthy') contrast with modern assumptions about deserving God's blessing?
- What does his concern for troubling Jesus teach about approaching God with both boldness and reverence?
- How does genuine faith combine confidence in Christ's power with humble acknowledgment of personal unworthiness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof. The centurion's ouk eimi hikanos (οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανός, I am not worthy/sufficient) demonstrates profound humility contrasting sharply with the elders' insistence he was worthy (verse 4). The verb skulloú (σκύλλου, trouble/bother) shows concern for Jesus' burden—extraordinary sensitivity from a man accustomed to command.
Jewish law forbade entering Gentile homes (Acts 10:28), making the centurion's concern both culturally aware and spiritually perceptive. He recognizes his unworthiness not merely socially (Gentile before Jew) but morally (sinner before Holy God). This echoes the publican's prayer: 'God be merciful to me a sinner' (Luke 18:13). True faith begins with acknowledging unworthiness, not asserting rights.