Mat 8:5-13 | PNT | STEP | When Jesus was entered into Capernaum . See PNT . His return to the place he made his home after the Sermon on the Mount and healing the leper. Compare . There came unto him a centurion . A Roman military officer, corresponding to our captain. All Palestine was under Roman military government at this time, with headquarters at Caesarea, and soldiers in every leading town. This centurion probably commanded the company stationed at Capernaum. He was, of course, a Gentile. We learn from , he came to Jesus, not in person, but by Jewish elders, whom he supposed would have more influence with the Lord. These elders interceded more readily because he had built them a synagogue ( ), either to secure favor, or because he was, like Cornelius, a devout man. In the ruins of Tel Hum, supposed to be Capernaum, are yet found the foundations of a synagogue, one known by certain characteristics to have been built in the Herodian period, and there can hardly be a doubt that it was the one built by the centurion, and in which Christ often preached. See "Edersheim's Jewish Social Life", page 255.

Matthew 8:5-13

When Jesus was entered into Capernaum.

See PNT Mt 4:13. His return to the place he made his home after the Sermon on the Mount and healing the leper. Compare Lu 7:1-10.

There came unto him a centurion. A Roman military officer, corresponding to our captain. All Palestine was under Roman military government at this time, with headquarters at Caesarea, and soldiers in every leading town. This centurion probably commanded the company stationed at Capernaum. He was, of course, a Gentile. We learn from Lu 7:3, he came to Jesus, not in person, but by Jewish elders, whom he supposed would have more influence with the Lord. These elders interceded more readily because he had built them a synagogue (Lu 7:5), either to secure favor, or because he was, like Cornelius, a devout man. In the ruins of Tel Hum, supposed to be Capernaum, are yet found the foundations of a synagogue, one known by certain characteristics to have been built in the Herodian period, and there can hardly be a doubt that it was the one built by the centurion, and in which Christ often preached. See "Edersheim's Jewish Social Life", page 255. Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy. Luke says his servant "was dear unto him", and the whole account of Matthew indicates intense solicitude. Paralysis, or palsy, was a common disease in those days. See Mt 4:24. Alford says, ``The disease of the text may have been tetanus, or lockjaw, which the ancient physicians included under paralysis.'' Luke says that "he was ready to die" (Lu 7:2). Jesus saith unto him. Luke tells us that he started at once, but was interrupted by what follows. The centurion answered. Through friends whom he had sent for this purpose (Lu 7:6).

I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof. This humility was partly due to his consciousness that he was a Gentile. Rigid Jews did not hold social intercourse with Gentiles, and the centurion may have supposed that so holy a Jewish teacher as Jesus would hesitate to come under his roof.

Speak the word only. "Speak only a word" is the idea, and "my servant will be healed". Not even Martha (Joh 11:21) thought that Jesus could have saved her brother Lazarus without going to him. His faith was great. For I am a man under authority, etc. The meaning is: "If I, in my subordinate station, am obeyed, how much more thou, who art over all, and whom disease serve as their master". As he could say, "Go", to a soldier and was at once obeyed, so Jesus could say, "Go", to the disease, and it would obey him. When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled. There are two cases in the Lord's history where he is said to have marvelled; here and in Mr 6:6. In one case he marvels at the faith of a Gentile; in the other at the unbelief of the Jews.

I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. The greatness of his faith is shown in his lofty conception of the power and dignity of Christ. This great faith was found, not in Israel, but in a Gentile. In one case beside, that of the Syrophoenician woman (Mt 15:28), also a Gentile, the Lord commends the greatness of faith. Many shall come from the east and west. The terms "the east and the west", the extreme points of the compass, are taken to indicate the regions that are far away, the whole world. The Lord means not only those who are geographically far away from Israel, but those who have been far away spiritually, Gentiles as well as Jews.

Shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. The Jews were accustomed to speak to the delights of the Messiah's kingdom as a feast with the patriarchs. The language implies intimate domestic intercourse and fellowship.

The kingdom of heaven refers, here, rather to the eternal blessed state than to the church on earth. But the children of the kingdom. The Jews, the natural children of Abraham, the "Father of the faithful", heirs of the promises made to him.

Cast out. Because they rejected the Messiah, in whom all the promises center.

Into outer darkness. The history of the Jews for 1,800 years has been a fulfillment of this passage.

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. There is a hint at the wretchedness of a future state of punishment. As thou hast believed. The centurion believed that Jesus could heal his servant by speaking the word.

In the very selfsame hour. At the moment these words were spoken the servant was well.