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Mark 6:6
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

Luke 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.

I have.

Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, greatis thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Luke 5:20
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Luke 7:50
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

He marveled
Jesus' reaction of marveling is noteworthy because it is rare for Him to be described as amazed. This indicates the extraordinary nature of the centurion's faith. In the Gospels, Jesus is often the one who amazes others with His teachings and miracles, but here, the faith of a Gentile centurion amazes Him, underscoring the depth and sincerity of the centurion's belief.

and said to those following Him
Jesus addresses His followers, which likely included His disciples and the crowd that often accompanied Him. This public declaration serves as a teaching moment, emphasizing the importance of faith. It also contrasts the centurion's faith with the often-lacking faith of the Jewish people, including His own disciples at times.

Truly I tell you
This phrase is a solemn affirmation, often used by Jesus to introduce a significant truth. It underscores the importance of what He is about to say, drawing attention to the lesson He wants His followers to learn from the centurion's example.

I have not found anyone in Israel
Jesus' statement highlights the unexpected nature of the centurion's faith, especially since he is a Gentile. Israel, God's chosen people, had the Law and the Prophets, yet Jesus had not encountered such faith among them. This serves as a critique of the spiritual state of Israel and a reminder of the openness of God's kingdom to all who believe.

with such great faith
The centurion's faith is described as "great," indicating its exceptional quality. This faith is characterized by trust in Jesus' authority and power, without the need for physical evidence or presence. It foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in the kingdom of God and serves as a model for the kind of faith that pleases God, as seen inHebrews 11:6.

- The “this” is the centurion’s humble confession: “Lord, I am not worthy for You to enter under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8).

- Jesus always responds to genuine faith that looks to His word, not to human worthiness (Mark 2:5;Luke 18:13-14).

- The moment highlights that Christ listens attentively—just as the Lord promises, “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3).

- Scripture records only a few times when Jesus “marveled”: here at belief, and in Nazareth at unbelief (Mark 6:6).

- His amazement underscores how uncommon such trust was among those who should have recognized Him (John 1:11).

- It reminds us that faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6).

- Jesus turns a private exchange into a public lesson, addressing disciples and the crowd (cf.Matthew 5:1-2).

- Moments like this equip followers to understand kingdom values (John 13:15).

- The “Truly” (Amen) signals absolute reliability—Christ’s words carry divine authority (John 3:3;Matthew 24:34).

- Every promise He makes can be trusted without reservation (2 Corinthians 1:20).

- Among covenant people, Jesus had encountered much skepticism (John 5:39-40).

- This statement exposes a spiritual irony: Gentile faith outshines that of many children of Abraham (Romans 9:30-32).

- It gently rebukes complacent religiosity and calls for heartfelt trust.

- “Great” faith here is:

- Rooted in Christ’s authority—“just say the word.”

- Coupled with humility—“I am not worthy.”

- Independent of sight—believing before evidence appears (Hebrews 11:1).

- A similar commendation is given to another Gentile—the Canaanite woman: “O woman, great is your faith!” (Matthew 15:28).

- Great faith simply takes Jesus at His word and rests there.

Matthew 8:10 celebrates a centurion who, despite outsider status, trusts the word of Christ more than visible proof. Jesus marvels, teaches the onlookers, and contrasts this unexpected, wholehearted reliance with Israel’s widespread unbelief. The passage calls every reader to the same humble, confident faith that honors the absolute authority of the Savior’s word.

I have not found so great faith, no,not in Israel.--The nature of the faith we have already seen. Israelites who sought our Lord's healing work, craved for presence, or touch, even if it were only the hem of the garment; sometimes, as in the case of the blind, and dumb, and deaf, for yet more material signs. Here was one who believed in the power of the word of the Christ, and asked for nothing more.

(1) That Augustine's solution - Christ did not so much actually wonder, as commend to us that which was worthy of our admiration - "brings an unreality into parts of our Lord's conduct, as though he did some things for show and the effect which they would have on others, instead of all his actions having their deepest root in his own nature, being the truthful exponents of his own inmost being" (Trench).

(2) That St. John was referring, as it seems, to persons with whom our Lord was brought into contact, while here the centurion is probably absent (vide supra). Our Lord's powers of perception (ἐγίνωσκεν, John) have here had no opportunity of action.

(3) That, in any case, even our Lord's mental powers did not act in any unnatural method. In his grasping the true character of each man's mind, the same processes (however rapid in his case) must have taken place as take place in men generally, and among these processes is wonder at some fresh trait. . . .

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