Matthew 8:10, commentary and pictures

Jesus marvelled at the centurion's faith and declared He had not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Though he had never seen Jesus, the centurion trusted that a word spoken at a distance would heal his suffering servant, because Christ's command carries power to the sickroom just as commands are obeyed by those under authority. His faith was simple, humble and unselfish, for though others called him worthy he felt unworthy to receive Jesus under his roof and pleaded his great need rather than his own goodness. That faith crossed national prejudice and shows that truly receiving Christ depends on faith and appreciation of Him, not on belonging to Israel or enjoying greater privileges, while Israel's demand for outward signs was unbelief that would bring condemnation. His conversion shows God's grace is not confined to Israel or limited by race, but welcomes Gentiles as children of God to share the kingdom on equal terms and foreshadowed their gathering into the church in intelligent faith.

Faith That Amazed Jesus

When Jesus heard the centurion, He marveled and declared He had not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. His praise set the centurion's trust above all He had found among Israel, despite Israel's greater spiritual privileges. That faith stood out in sharp contrast to the unbelief of His own nation.

Though the centurion had never seen Jesus, reports about Him had given him confidence in His power. He trusted that Jesus need only speak a word to heal his suffering servant from a distance, without coming to his house in person or giving an outward sign. He reasoned as a commander whose orders are obeyed by those under authority, recognizing that Christ's command itself carries power that angels carry to the sickroom. His was a simple, humble, and unselfish trust in the spoken word alone.

Great faith is joined to humility. Though he was a Roman commander whom others called worthy for his good deeds, he felt unworthy to have Jesus enter his home. He relied not on his own goodness but on Jesus' mercy, and made his great need his plea. His faith crossed national prejudice and recognized in Jesus' teaching what his soul needed. Truly receiving Christ therefore depends on faith and appreciation of Him, not on membership in Israel, religious profession, or greater spiritual privileges.

In contrast, His own nation showed unbelief that required outward signs before believing. That unbelief would lead them to reject great light and bring condemnation and overthrow. The same great faith found outside Israel was shown by the wise men from the East, who though Gentiles recognized Jesus as divine beneath His lowly appearance, accepted Him as Savior, and offered Him gifts.

Salvation Beyond Israel Alone

The centurion's conversion was direct work beyond the acknowledged people of Israel, proving that faith and God's work were not confined to them. Jesus praised this Gentile officer's faith as greater than any He had found in Israel, and in rewarding it He showed that God's grace is not limited by race or nation. Gentiles too are recognized as children of God, able to hunger for the light of truth and to receive salvation and favor from Christ.

Joined to the declaration that people from many nations will share in the kingdom while some who expected it as their own inheritance will be excluded, the praise of the centurion's faith rebukes the belief that God's blessing belongs exclusively to Israel. It shows that Gentiles may receive religious privileges on equal terms.

The encounter foreshadowed and anticipated the later sustained gathering of Gentiles and of whole Gentile communities into the church in intelligent faith, received with joy. Jewish rejection, unbelief and malice could not stop that purpose, as a new Israel was grafted into the old olive-tree. The centurion's faith helped teach the disciples that the gospel is for Gentiles as well as Jews and that God's kingdom has no boundary separating nations.

Pattern for Healing Ministry

The chapter in which this marveling occurs joins the ministry of the Word with medical missionary work and displays the methods of the great Healer. People from other nations came seeking healing and help for loved ones, and their coming represented humanity beyond Israel longing for what it lacked. They listened to His teaching and were deeply moved by the truth, and His words of hope and acts of healing in answer set the example for service to people throughout the world. That response shows His work was for humanity at large and not for one people only.

His work for the centurion shows He served people from every class and did not limit His ministry to the poor or to social outcasts. It also shows He sought to reach Roman rulers and win their hearts. The same declaration teaches the tenderness and care Christ shows to the erring and to those needing sympathy and love. Even those whose lives reveal the deformity of sin must therefore be borne with, as Jesus bears with sinners.