Matthew 8:6
What does Matthew 8:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 8:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 8:6 means
The centurion explains his predicament: his servant is gravely ill, suffering from palsy (paralysis) and enduring intense torment. His concern for a servant, who would typically be considered property, reveals a compassionate character often not expected from a Roman officer. His direct and concise description of the servant's severe condition underscores the urgency of his request and his deep distress.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Saying, Lord, my servant is ill in bed at the house, with no power in his body, and in great pain.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and saying, `Sir, my young man hath been laid in the house a paralytic, fearfully afflicted,'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and saying, Lord, my servant lies paralytic in the house, suffering grievously.
Context
This verse details the specific need that brought the centurion to Jesus, elaborating on the plight of his servant. It justifies the centurion's subsequent display of remarkable faith and provides the context for Jesus' response, highlighting the gravity of the situation and preparing the reader for a powerful display of Jesus' healing authority across a distance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 4:24
And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.
- Matthew 9:2
And behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven.
- Mark 2:3
And they come, bringing unto him a man sick of the palsy, borne of four.
- Acts 9:33
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.
- Acts 10:7
And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
- Philemon 1:16
no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
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