Mat 8:6-10 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 6. Sick of the palsy . . The particular form which the palsy assumed is not mentioned. It seems it was a violent attack. Perhaps it was the painful form which produced violent cramps , and which immediately endangered his life.

Matthew 8:6-10

Verse 6. Sick of the palsy. Mt 4:24. The particular form which the palsy assumed is not mentioned. It seems it was a violent attack. Perhaps it was the painful form which produced violent cramps, and which immediately endangered his life. Verse 8. I am not worthy, etc. This was an expression of great humility. It refers doubtless to his view of his personal unworthiness, and not merely to the fact that he was a Gentile. It was the expression of a humble spirit; a conviction of the great dignity and power of the Saviour, and a belief that he was so unlike him, that he was not fit that the Son of God should come into his dwelling. So every truly penitent sinner feels--a feeling which is appropriate when he comes to Christ.

(w) "not worthy" Ps 10:17, Lk 15:19,21 (x) "the word only" Ps 33:9, 107:20 Verse 9. I am a man, etc. He had full confidence in the ability of Jesus to heal his servant, and requested him simply to give the command. This request he presented in a manner appropriate to a soldier. I am a man, says he, under authority. That is, I am subject to the commands of others, and know how to obey. I have also under me soldiers who are accustomed to obedience. I say to one, go, and he goes; and to another, come, and he comes. I am prepared, therefore, to believe that your commands will be obeyed. As these obey me, so do diseases, storms, and seas obey you. If men obey me, who am an inferior officer, subject to another, how much more shall diseases obey you--the original Source of power-- having control over all things! He asked, therefore, simply that Christ would give commandment, and he felt assured he would be obeyed. Verse 10. I have not found so great faith. The word faith, here, means confidence, or belief that Christ had power to heal his servant. It does not of necessity imply that he had saving faith; though from the connexion, and the spirit manifested, it seems probable that he had. If this was so, then he was the first Gentile convert to Christianity, and was a very early illustration of what was more dearly revealed afterwards, that the heathen were to be brought to the knowledge of the truth.

Jesus---marvelled. Or wondered at his faith; or deemed it remarkable.

Not in Israel. Israel was a name given to Jacob, (Gen 32:28,29) because, as a prince, he had power with God; because he persevered in wrestling with the angel that met him, and obtained the blessing. The name is derived from two Hebrew words, signifying Prince and God. He was one of the patriarchs; a progenitor of the Jewish nation; and the names Israel and Israelites were given to them as the name Romans was in honour of Romulus; and the name Americans after Americus Vespuccius. It was given to the whole nation till the time of Jeroboam, when only the ten tribes that revolted received the name, probably because they were a majority of the nation. After the captivity of Babylon, it was given to all the Jews indiscriminately. See Mt 10:6, Acts 7:42; Heb 8:8, Mk 15:32. It here means, "I have not found such an instance of confidence among the Jews."

(y) "no, not in all Israel" Mt 15.28