And responding, the centurion said: Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall be healed. (Mt 8:8)
καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ ἑκατόνταρχος ἔφη· κύριε, οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς ἵνα μου ὑπὸ τὴν στέγην εἰσέλθῃς, ἀλλὰ μόνον εἰπὲ λόγῳ, καὶ ἰαθήσεται ὁ παῖς μου.
et respondens centurio ait Domine non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum sed tantum dic verbo et sanabitur puer meus.
The roof is synonymous with safety and shelter. To invite someone under the roof means to bring a friend, acquaintance, or stranger into your home. Jesus will enter the centurion’s house through His Word. It will bring healing there. It heals paralysis, fever, and blindness. It restores silence, and adoration, and establishes peace.
