Luke 7:9 kjv
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.
Luke 7:9 nkjv
When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"
Luke 7:9 niv
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel."
Luke 7:9 esv
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."
Luke 7:9 nlt
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, "I tell you, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!"
Luke 7 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 8:10 | When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith." | Parallel account of the Centurion's faith. |
| Lk 7:6-8 | But the centurion said... "only say the word, and my servant will be healed." | Centurion's words prompting Jesus' marvel. |
| Matt 8:11 | I tell you, many will come from the east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, | Gentile inclusion in God's kingdom. |
| Lk 13:28-29 | There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac... and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves cast out... people will come from east and west... and recline at table in the kingdom of God. | Further emphasis on Gentile inclusion. |
| Jn 4:48 | So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." | Contrast: Centurion's faith didn't require sight. |
| Jn 20:29 | Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” | Blessing those who believe without seeing. |
| Mk 6:5-6 | And he could do no mighty work there... And he marveled because of their unbelief. | Jesus' marvel at unbelief, in contrast to Lk 7:9. |
| Gen 12:3 | I will bless those who bless you... and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. | Prophecy of Gentile blessing through Abraham. |
| Is 49:6 | I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. | Israel's purpose as light to Gentiles. |
| Rom 9:30-32 | What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have obtained it... but that Israel who pursued a law... did not succeed... because they did not pursue it by faith. | Israel's failure to attain righteousness by faith. |
| Rom 10:1-3 | Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. | Israel's mistaken pursuit of righteousness. |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. | Essential nature of faith to please God. |
| Eph 2:8 | For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, | Salvation through faith, not works. |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, | Believing in Christ without seeing him. |
| Gal 3:6-8 | Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”... God would justify the Gentiles by faith... | Abraham as a model of justifying faith. |
| Acts 10:34-35 | So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. | God's acceptance of believers from all nations. |
| Matt 15:28 | Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire.” | Jesus commends another Gentile's "great faith." |
| Heb 4:2 | For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. | Lack of faith hinders benefit from God's word. |
| Num 23:19 | God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? | God's word is powerful and reliable. |
| Ps 33:9 | For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. | God's creative power through His word. |
Luke 7 verses
Luke 7 9 Meaning
Luke 7:9 describes Jesus' profound astonishment at the exceptional faith demonstrated by a Roman Centurion. The Centurion, a Gentile, humbly believed Jesus' mere spoken word was sufficient to heal his servant, without Jesus needing to enter his house or even be physically present. Jesus, addressing the surrounding crowd, declared that such remarkable faith had not been found "even in Israel," highlighting the extraordinary nature of the Centurion's trust in contrast to the prevailing unbelief among many of God's chosen people.
Luke 7 9 Context
Luke chapter 7 opens with Jesus entering Capernaum, where He is approached by elders from the Jewish community on behalf of a highly respected Roman Centurion whose servant is gravely ill. The Centurion, despite being a Gentile occupier, had shown favor to the Jewish people by building their synagogue. His unusual humility and deep understanding of authority led him to believe that Jesus' mere word, spoken from a distance, was sufficient for healing, akin to how he exercised authority over his own soldiers. This act of profound trust from an outsider stands in stark contrast to the frequent skepticism and unbelief encountered by Jesus among the Jewish religious leaders and, at times, even His own disciples. The immediate context of Luke 7:9, therefore, highlights Jesus' astonishment at this unexpected display of faith and serves as a powerful declaration of God's wider purpose to include Gentiles.
Luke 7 9 Word analysis
- When Jesus heard these things: Refers specifically to the Centurion's messengers conveying his humble plea and confident declaration of Jesus' authority ("only say the word"). This was the trigger for Jesus' reaction.
- he marveled (ἐθαύμασεν - ethaumasen): A significant Greek term, indicating astonishment, wonder, or deep admiration. This is a rare occurrence for Jesus in the Gospels; He marveled at people's faith (here, Matt 8:10) or unbelief (Mk 6:6). It denotes that the Centurion's faith truly stood out as extraordinary and defied human expectation.
- at him: Specifically referring to the Centurion, acknowledging his exceptional character and belief.
- and turning to the crowd that followed him: Jesus deliberately addressed the multitude present, making a public, instructional statement. This wasn't a private commendation but a teaching moment for all to hear, emphasizing the significance of what had just transpired.
- said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.": This is a direct, authoritative declaration by Jesus.
- I tell you (λέγω ὑμῖν - legō hymin): An emphatic phrase often used by Jesus to introduce a weighty or significant truth.
- not even in Israel: This phrase introduces a profound contrast. "Israel" refers to God's chosen people, the inheritors of the covenants, the ones from whom faith was primarily expected. The Centurion was a Gentile, an "outsider," yet his faith surpassed what Jesus had encountered within the very nation specially prepared for the Messiah's coming. This implies a subtle but strong critique of the spiritual state of many within Israel at that time. It serves as a polemic against the idea that spiritual privilege or lineage guarantees faith or access to God's favor.
- have I found: Jesus' personal observation and divine discernment of the quality and depth of faith.
- such faith (πίστιν - pistin): The Greek term for "faith," implying a complete trust and reliance, specifically in Jesus' authority and ability to act even from a distance. The Centurion's faith was remarkable because it trusted in the power of Jesus' word alone, without requiring His physical presence or a traditional ritual. This demonstrated an understanding of spiritual authority far beyond what was common.
Luke 7 9 Bonus section
The account of the Centurion's faith serves as a critical prophetic insight into the future expansion of the Kingdom of God. It directly anticipates the "grafting in" of the Gentiles (Rom 11:17-24) into the spiritual blessings previously associated primarily with Israel. This event challenges the ethnocentric expectations of Jesus' contemporaries, showcasing that salvation is fundamentally based on a receptive faith, not on birthright or adherence to the Law in a legalistic sense. It highlights the divine wisdom that can be found even among those considered outsiders, demonstrating God's sovereign choice to work through any willing vessel.
Luke 7 9 Commentary
Luke 7:9 captures a pivotal moment where Jesus encounters and publicly praises an unparalleled display of faith from an unexpected source: a Gentile Roman Centurion. This Centurion's humility and bold trust in Jesus' remote healing power, based on an understanding of spiritual authority paralleling his military command, profoundly impressed Jesus. Jesus' "marveling" is extremely rare, underscoring the extraordinary nature of this man's belief. His declaration that He had not found "such faith even in Israel" is not merely an observation but a powerful statement on the spiritual condition of many in Israel during that time, many of whom expected physical signs or adherence to laws for proof, rather than pure trust. It signals God's willingness to bless faith wherever it is found, regardless of ethnic background or social standing, and foreshadows the widespread inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom through faith in Christ. This verse reminds us that genuine faith transcends cultural and religious boundaries, and it is the heart's trust, not lineage or privilege, that God values most.