Do The Four Gospel Accounts Contradict One Another? PART 4—The Story of the Centurion.

Another seeming contradiction we find in the Gospel Accounts is the story of the centurion. Observe Matthew’s notes (or Account) on the story:

Matthew 8:5-13 (NKJV)

5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, A CENTURION came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” 7 And Jesus said TO HIM, “I will come and heal him.” 8 THE CENTURION answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to THE CENTURION, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

Matthew is clear that it was a centurion who came to Jesus. However, Luke’s notes on this appears to differ:

Luke 7:2-10 (NKJV)

2 And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3 So when he heard about Jesus, he SENT ELDERS of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when THEY CAME to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5 “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

6 Then Jesus went WITH THEM. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion SENT FRIENDS to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”  9 When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And THOSE WHO WERE SENT, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.  

Notice the difference between Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:2-10:

Matthew’s note says it was the centurion who came to Jesus, but Luke’s note says he sent messengers on his behalf. So are they contradicting each other? No! A simple historical analysis would help clear this up. The Bible must be read in its historical context and cultural world.

In the first century, a messenger was treated/regarded as the one who sent him. Even today, if an ambassador of Nigeria goes to Ghana on behalf of the President, he would be treated/regarded LIKE the President. That is precisely what is going on here. Matthew says the centurion came to Jesus but Luke’s account helps us see that it was actually his REPRESENTATIVES who came. Matthew says it was the centurion because those he sent came in his name (or authority). They are not contradicting each other.

It becomes more and more apparent with each example that ALL the Gospel Accounts must be read TOGETHER in order to get the full picture of the events that transpired. Each Gospel Account is like a part in a jigsaw puzzle. Until you join every part together, you can’t get the full image.

© Josh Banks Ministries. 2021.