When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus marveling isn't about surprise, but about profound affirmation – he's amazed by faith outside the very people he expected it from, highlighting that true faith isn't limited by ethnicity or religious background. He turns to the crowd to make a powerful point: this Gentile's extraordinary trust in Jesus' spoken word, based on his understanding of authority, surpasses what Jesus had encountered even among those who knew God's law intimately.
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just entered Capernaum, and a Roman centurion, a Gentile outsider, has sent Jewish elders and then his own friends to ask Jesus to heal his beloved servant who is near death. The centurion, deeply respectful and humble, insists Jesus doesn't need to come to his house but can heal the servant with just a word, drawing a parallel to his own authority over his soldiers. Jesus, hearing this profound request and reasoning, turns to the crowd following him to highlight the extraordinary faith he's just encountered.
This Roman centurion, a Gentile and a commander, felt profoundly unworthy to have Jesus enter his home. What does his humility reveal about his understanding of Jesus?
The centurion’s humility isn't just politeness; it's rooted in a deep understanding of authority and power.
The Power of a Word
He reasons, 'For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and to another, “Come,” and he comes; and to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.' He sees Jesus’ authority as even greater than his own. If his mere word commands soldiers, how much more can Jesus’ word command sickness and death?
Unworthiness and Access
His feeling of unworthiness ('I did not consider myself worthy to come to you') isn't about thinking Jesus is too good for him, but that he, as a Gentile, is outside the covenant people Israel. Yet, this very humility opens the door to an extraordinary encounter.
Jesus marvels at this Gentile's faith, stating, 'Not even in Israel have I found such faith.' Why was this faith so remarkable, especially coming from an outsider?
Jesus’ wonder here isn't surprise, but profound affirmation and perhaps a touch of sadness.
Faith Beyond Expectation
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Jesus is amazed because this Gentile, who had only a limited understanding of the Old Testament Law and the covenant people, possesses a faith so strong and so accurate in its understanding of His authority. He grasped Jesus' power not just as a healer, but as one whose word carried divine efficacy.
A Contrast to Israel
His marveling, 'Not even in Israel have I found such faith,' highlights a spiritual reality. While many within Israel were religiously observant, their faith often lacked this specific, profound trust in Jesus' inherent authority. This Gentile’s faith looked past rituals and focused directly on the power of Jesus' spoken word, a faith the religious leaders of Israel often failed to demonstrate.
Understand the original words
pistis · Greek Noun
A state of complete trust, reliance, and confidence in God or the person of Jesus Christ. It involves an active belief in His ability and willingness to act, often demonstrated through obedience.
This event highlights the Roman occupation of Judea and the complex relationship between Romans, Jews, and Jesus during His ministry. The centurion, a Gentile in a position of authority, demonstrates a profound faith that surpasses many within Israel itself, challenging the expectations of the time.
c. 6 BC - 4 BC
Herod the Great's Death
The death of Herod the Great led to a division of his kingdom among his sons, creating a period of instability and Roman involvement in Judea.
c. AD 6
Pilate Appointed Prefect
Pontius Pilate became prefect of Judea, marking a significant period of Roman governance and increasing tensions with the Jewish population.
c. AD 25-36
Pilate's Governorship
Pontius Pilate's governorship was characterized by numerous clashes with Jewish leaders over religious sensitivities and political decisions.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, including in and around Capernaum.
c. AD 30
Jesus Heals Centurion's Servant
Jesus, in Capernaum, encounters a Roman centurion whose servant is critically ill. The centurion's extraordinary faith leads Jesus to declare it unparalleled in Israel.
This passage is from the parallel account in Matthew, directly quoting Jesus's marvel at the centurion's faith and comparing it to what he found, or didn't find, among the people of Israel.
Romans 4:16-17This passage speaks about faith being credited as righteousness, especially for Gentiles, echoing the centurion's faith being recognized by Jesus even though he wasn't an Israelite by birth.
Hebrews 11:1This chapter defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, which perfectly describes the centurion's confidence in Jesus's word without even seeing him.
Isaiah 55:8-9These verses highlight that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, which is relevant because Jesus marvels that such profound faith was found in a Gentile, demonstrating God's boundless reach beyond expectations.
Matthew 15:28In this account, Jesus also commends a Gentile woman's great faith, stating 'O woman, great is your faith,' showing a pattern of Jesus recognizing extraordinary faith outside of Israel.
calvinLuke 7:1-10: "Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum."
- And when Jesus had entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, beseeching him, 6. And saying, Lord, my servant is lying at home afflicted with palsy, and is grievously tormented. 7. And Jesus saith to him, When I shall come, I will heal him. 8. And the centurion answering him said, Lord, I do not deserve that thou shouldst come under my roof: but only say the word, and my serva…
pulpitLuke 7:9: "When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."
Verse 9. - When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him. Augustine strikingly comments here on the expression ἐθαύμασε, he marvelled: "Who had inspired that faith but he who now admires it?" In marvelling at it he intimated that we ought to admire. He admires for our good, that we may imitate t…
Jesus marveling isn't about surprise, but about profound affirmation – he's amazed by faith outside the very people he expected it from, highlighting that true faith isn't limited by ethnicity or religious background. He turns to the crowd to make a powerful point: this Gentile's extraordinary trust in Jesus' spoken word, based on his understanding of authority, surpasses what Jesus had encountered even among those who knew God's law intimately.
Jesus has just entered Capernaum, and a Roman centurion, a Gentile outsider, has sent Jewish elders and then his own friends to ask Jesus to heal his beloved servant who is near death. The centurion, deeply respectful and humble, insists Jesus doesn't need to come to his house but can heal the servant with just a word, drawing a parallel to his own authority over his soldiers. Jesus, hearing this profound request and reasoning, turns to the crowd following him to highlight the extraordinary faith he's just encountered.
Jesus has just entered Capernaum, and a Roman centurion, a Gentile outsider, has sent Jewish elders and then his own friends to ask Jesus to heal his beloved servant who is near death. The centurion, deeply respectful and humble, insists Jesus doesn't need to come to his house but can heal the servant with just a word, drawing a parallel to his own authority over his soldiers. Jesus, hearing this profound request and reasoning, turns to the crowd following him to highlight the extraordinary faith he's just encountered.
"When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”" — Jesus marveling isn't about surprise, but about profound affirmation – he's amazed by faith outside the very people he expected it from, highlighting that true faith isn't limited by ethnicity or r…
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Last reviewed October 2026