8:8a

In Greek this verse begins with the conjunction that is often translated as “but” or “and.” Here the Greek conjunction indicates a contrast. The contrast is between Jesus saying that he will go and the centurion saying that Jesus did not need to go. Some English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, do not begin this verse with a conjunction.

Here are some ways to begin this verse:

But (English Standard Version)
-or-
Then (New Living Translation (1996))

8:8b

Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof: This sentence is a polite way for the centurion to tell Jesus that he did not want Jesus to bother himself to go and enter his house. It does not mean “You are very kind to enter the house of someone who is so unworthy.” In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:

Sir, ⌊please do not bother yourself.⌋ I am not worthy….
-or-
Sir, ⌊it is all right if you do not go.⌋ I am not worthy….
-or-
Lord, I am not worthy…. ⌊So please, it would be better if you did not come.⌋
-or-
“Oh no, sir,”…“I do not deserve….” (Good News Translation)

I am not worthy: The clause I am not worthy indicates that the centurion believed that he did not deserve a visit from Jesus. He knew that Jews did not enter the houses of Gentiles like himself. He also realized that God had given Jesus authority that was greater than his own.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

I’m not good enough (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I am not important/big enough

under my roof: The phrase under my roof is a figure of speech that means “in my house.” For example:

into my home (New Living Translation (2004))

8:8c

But: There is a contrast between 8:8b and 8:8c. The contrast is between what the centurion thought that Jesus should not do, and what he should do. In Greek, this contrast is indicated with a conjunction that English versions translate as But.

just say the word, and my servant will be healed: The clause just say the word indicates that the centurion believed that Jesus only had to say “your servant is healed” and his servant would become well. The officer knew that Jesus did not have to be present at his house in order to heal the servant. Jesus could heal him from a distance with a spoken word.

In some languages, it may be helpful to make explicit what kind of word this was. For example:

speak/say the words ⌊“be healed”⌋ and my servant will be healed
-or-
Just give the order, and my servant will get well. (Good News Translation)

The clause say the word is a polite request. The centurion was politely asking Jesus to heal his servant. He was not ordering Jesus to do something. Use a sentence form that can be used as a polite request in your language. For example:

⌊Please⌋ just say the words ⌊“be healed”⌋ and my servant will be healed.

-or-

⌊I believe that⌋ if you would kindly say, ⌊“he is cured”⌋, he would be cured.

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