Who Was a Centurion in the Bible, and What Was Their Role? (Matthew 8:5)

In the Bible, a centurion was a Roman military officer, typically in charge of a group of 100 soldiers. The term “centurion” comes from the Latin word centuria, meaning “a group of 100.” Centurions were appointed to their positions either through direct selection by Roman authorities or earned promotion after many years of service—often around 15 to 20 years. They were responsible for maintaining order in the army, leading soldiers in battle, and executing law and order, including the execution of criminals.

Their roles were diverse: leading soldiers on the battlefield, overseeing military training, managing fortifications and walls for national defense, and guarding prisoners during transport. In Acts 23:23-24, we see a centurion ensuring the safety of the Apostle Paul during his journey to trial.

One key example of a centurion in the Bible is the one who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus. He was responsible for ensuring that Jesus’ death was carried out according to Roman law. Upon witnessing Jesus’ final moments, the centurion acknowledged the truth of Jesus’ identity.

Mark 15:39 (NIV)
“And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard His cry and saw how He died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!'”

While some centurions were harsh and corrupt, others exhibited faith and integrity that pleased God. This presents an important theological truth: God’s judgment is not based on one’s position or role but on the heart’s faithfulness to Him.

Lessons from Centurions in the Bible

Although the role of a centurion in the Roman military might not seem directly connected to God’s glory, there are examples of centurions whose faith and actions demonstrated a strong relationship with God.

One remarkable centurion was the one who approached Jesus in Capernaum. His unwavering faith in Jesus’ power to heal his servant was so extraordinary that Jesus commended him, declaring that He had not found such faith in all of Israel.

Matthew 8:5–11 (NIV)
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, asking for help.
6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, He was amazed and said to those following Him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

In this passage, the centurion understood authority in a way that made him recognize the divine authority of Jesus. His faith was not in what Jesus could physically do but in Jesus’ ability to heal with just a word. Theologically, this highlights the significance of faith in Jesus’ authority and power, which is central to the Christian doctrine of salvation. Jesus’ response, that many would come from the east and west to sit with the patriarchs in heaven, points to the inclusivity of God’s kingdom, where faith, not ethnicity or religious background, is the determining factor for entrance into God’s eternal kingdom.

Another centurion who is significant in the New Testament is Cornelius. He was a devout man who gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly. His faith led to a divine encounter with an angel, who instructed him to send for Peter, resulting in his household receiving the message of salvation.

Acts 10:1–2 (NIV)
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

Cornelius’ story underscores that God values actions that demonstrate faith and love for others. Even though Cornelius was not a Jew, God responded to his faith and actions by sending him the message of salvation through Peter. Theologically, Cornelius’ story is a testament to God’s grace and the universality of the gospel—salvation is offered to all who seek God with a sincere heart, regardless of their cultural or ethnic background.

What Does God Want Us to Learn from This?

From these examples, it is clear that God does not focus on the specific role or position a person holds but rather on their faith, heart, and obedience to Him. Whether someone works in government, military, or any other field, God looks at their integrity and how they serve Him in that role.

Daniel 6:3-4 (NIV)
Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

Daniel is a perfect example of someone who faithfully served in a secular government position while remaining loyal to God. Despite the pressures of his position, he did not compromise his faith. His story illustrates that we can serve God in any role, as long as we live with integrity, reject corruption, and uphold God’s standards of justice and righteousness.

Ultimately, God desires our faithfulness and integrity, no matter where we serve. We may not always be in positions of high authority, but we can serve God with sincerity and live out His truth in our lives. By doing so, God will use us to fulfill His purpose for our lives and His greater mission on earth.