Luke 7:9
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)
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Jesus marveling at the centurion's faith isn't about God being surprised, but about Christ, in his human nature, highlighting an extraordinary example for us to follow. He publicly points out this Gentile's profound trust, declaring he hadn't seen such faith even among His own people, the Israelites. This wasn't just about the centurion's belief in Jesus' power, but his deep understanding of Jesus' authority, recognizing that a single word was enough to heal.
A Roman centurion, a Gentile commander known for his love of the Jewish people and his contribution to their community, desperately seeks Jesus' help for his dying servant. After initially sending Jewish elders and then friends to entreat Jesus, the centurion himself communicates a remarkable humility and profound understanding of Jesus' authority, believing that a mere word from Jesus is enough to heal. It is this profound faith, expressed by a foreigner and military man, that causes Jesus to marvel and publicly commend it above all he had found in Israel.
Jesus, the Son of God, was astonished! What was it about this Roman centurion's request that drew such wonder from Him?
This centurion, a Gentile outsider to Israel, displayed a faith so profound that Jesus Himself marveled. He didn't just believe Jesus could heal, but that Jesus' word alone was sufficient. He understood authority and power, comparing Jesus' divine ability to his own command over his soldiers. He knew if he said 'go' and they went, Jesus could simply speak and his servant would be healed, even from a distance.
This wasn't a request for a visible sign or a personal visit, but a confident trust in the sheer power of Jesus' command. It's a powerful reminder that true faith often rests on the authority of God's word, not on our understanding or immediate sight.
Why would Jesus marvel? It wasn't surprise like ours, but a deep affirmation of a faith that resonated with divine truth.
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When the Bible says Jesus 'marveled,' it's not because He was caught off guard. As God, He knows all things. Instead, His astonishment serves as a powerful commendation for our benefit. He marvels at this Gentile's faith to highlight its exceptional quality, especially when contrasted with the lack of faith He often encountered among His own people.
This isn't just a historical note; it's an invitation. Jesus' wonder encourages us to examine our own faith. Are we bringing the kind of belief that honors Him, a belief that trusts His word and His power implicitly?
Jesus found 'such great faith' not within His chosen people, but in a Roman soldier. What does this tell us about God's perspective?
Jesus' declaration, 'not even in Israel have I found such faith,' is a profound statement about God's inclusive heart. He recognized and lauded extraordinary faith in a Gentile, someone outside the covenant community of Israel. This wasn't a slight against Israel, but a testament to the centurion's exceptional belief.
This encounter radically reorients our understanding of who God draws near to. It shows that genuine faith, a deep trust in Jesus' authority and power, transcends cultural, ethnic, and religious boundaries. It prepares the way for the gospel's expansion, demonstrating that God's kingdom is open to all who believe, regardless of their background.
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 took place during the Roman occupation of Judea, a time when Jewish people often resented Roman rule and the presence of soldiers. The centurion's deep respect for Jewish people and his extraordinary faith in Jesus, a Jewish teacher, would have been striking to the crowds, highlighting a significant shift in spiritual understanding beyond ethnic and religious divides.
c. 6 BC - AD 30
Roman Occupation of Judea
The region of Judea, including Galilee where Capernaum is located, is under Roman control. Roman soldiers, like the centurion in the story, are stationed throughout the land to maintain order and enforce Roman authority.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Ministry Begins in Galilee
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and calling disciples. His growing reputation attracts crowds and notable individuals, like the centurion in Capernaum.
c. AD 29— this verse
The Centurion's Servant is Healed
A Roman centurion in Capernaum, known for his love of the Jewish people and for building their synagogue, has a beloved servant who is gravely ill. He hears about Jesus and sends Jewish elders, then friends, to ask Jesus to heal his servant, demonstrating remarkable faith.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry Continues and Spreads
Following this event, Jesus continues his ministry, often encountering both faith and disbelief. This incident, highlighting the faith of a Gentile, foreshadows the eventual inclusion of non-Jews into the Kingdom of God.
This passage directly parallels Luke 7:9, with Jesus expressing similar astonishment at the centurion's faith, highlighting its exceptional nature even when compared to those within Israel.
Romans 4:11-12This passage speaks about Abraham being the father of all who believe, including Gentiles, which resonates with Jesus finding such great faith in a Roman centurion, a Gentile, and not solely among the people of Israel.
Isaiah 56:6-7This prophecy foretells that foreigners who join themselves to the Lord will be brought to God's holy mountain and accepted, prefiguring the acceptance of Gentiles like the centurion into God's favor and kingdom, a theme underscored by Jesus' marvel at his faith.
John 4:46-53In this account, Jesus heals an official's son from a distance simply by speaking the word, demonstrating His power and a faith that trusts His word without needing a physical sign, much like the centurion's belief.
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 at the centurion's faith isn't about God being surprised, but about Christ, in his human nature, highlighting an extraordinary example for us to follow. He publicly points out this Gentile's profound trust, declaring he hadn't seen such faith even among His own people, the Israelites. This wasn't just about the centurion's belief in Jesus' power, but his deep understanding of Jesus' authority, recognizing that a single word was enough to heal.
A Roman centurion, a Gentile commander known for his love of the Jewish people and his contribution to their community, desperately seeks Jesus' help for his dying servant. After initially sending Jewish elders and then friends to entreat Jesus, the centurion himself communicates a remarkable humility and profound understanding of Jesus' authority, believing that a mere word from Jesus is enough to heal. It is this profound faith, expressed by a foreigner and military man, that causes Jesus to marvel and publicly commend it above all he had found in Israel.
A Roman centurion, a Gentile commander known for his love of the Jewish people and his contribution to their community, desperately seeks Jesus' help for his dying servant. After initially sending Jewish elders and then friends to entreat Jesus, the centurion himself communicates a remarkable humility and profound understanding of Jesus' authority, believing that a mere word from Jesus is enough to heal. It is this profound faith, expressed by a foreigner and military man, that causes Jesus to marvel and publicly commend it above all he had found in Israel.
"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 at the centurion's faith isn't about God being surprised, but about Christ, in his human nature, highlighting an extraordinary example for us to follow. He publicly points out this Ge…
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