Matthew 8 10

Matthew 8:10 kjv

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Matthew 8:10 nkjv

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

Matthew 8:10 niv

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Matthew 8:10 esv

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.

Matthew 8:10 nlt

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!

Matthew 8 10 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Lk 7:9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him...Parallel account of Jesus marveling at the Centurion's faith.
Mk 6:6And he was amazed at their unbelief...Jesus also marvelled at unbelief, highlighting the stark contrast.
Jn 1:51And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you..."Example of "Truly I say to you" (Amen, amen) used by Jesus for emphasis.
Matt 5:18For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away...Jesus uses "Truly I say to you" to declare solemn, authoritative truth.
Matt 9:22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith..."Jesus praises and responds to great faith in healing.
Matt 9:29Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done..."Jesus links healing directly to faith.
Matt 15:28Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you..."Jesus praises the great faith of the Canaanite woman, another Gentile.
Matt 8:11I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table...Immediately follows, illustrating Gentile inclusion in the kingdom.
Matt 8:12while the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness...Stark warning that ethnic privilege does not guarantee salvation.
Isa 49:6I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach...Prophecy of God's salvation extending to the Gentiles.
Ps 22:27All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord...Prophetic insight into all nations coming to God.
Acts 10:34So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no..."Peter realizes God's impartiality towards all who fear Him.
Rom 3:29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes...Paul declares God's sovereignty over both Jews and Gentiles through faith.
Rom 9:6For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel...Clarifies that true Israel is defined by spiritual commitment, not just lineage.
Gal 3:7Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.Faith, not ancestry, determines true spiritual heritage.
Matt 7:29for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.Describes Jesus' inherent authority, which the Centurion recognized.
Matt 9:6But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth...Jesus demonstrates His authority to forgive sins.
Matt 28:18All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Jesus' ultimate universal authority.
Lk 7:6The Centurion sent friends to him, saying, “Lord, do not trouble yourself...Shows the Centurion's profound humility, key to his great faith.
Jm 4:6God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.Humility is prerequisite for receiving God's grace and having faith.
Heb 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please him...Emphasizes the fundamental necessity of faith to God.
Lk 17:19And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."Jesus acknowledges faith as the instrument for divine action.

Matthew 8 verses

Matthew 8 10 Meaning

Matthew 8:10 describes Jesus' astonished reaction to the profound faith of a Roman Centurion. The Centurion, a Gentile, demonstrated an understanding of Jesus' authority that surpassed any faith Jesus had encountered among the people of Israel. This statement emphasizes that true, spiritual faith is not bound by ethnicity, social status, or religious background, and often blossoms in unexpected places. It highlights that God recognizes and commends genuine faith, irrespective of human categories or perceived religious standing.

Matthew 8 10 Context

Matthew 8:10 occurs early in Jesus' Galilean ministry, following His Sermon on the Mount, demonstrating His authority through mighty works. Immediately preceding this verse, a Roman Centurion humbly approaches Jesus, asking for his sick servant to be healed. What makes the Centurion's request remarkable is his deep understanding of authority: he believes Jesus only needs to speak a word to heal his servant, just as he himself, a commander, gives a word of command and it is obeyed. This profound spiritual insight into Jesus' divine power and authority stands in stark contrast to the often literal and superficial understanding of many in Israel at that time, who looked for a political or temporal Messiah. The verses immediately following (Matt 8:11-12) show Jesus expanding on this point, prophesying that Gentiles will inherit the kingdom while many "sons of the kingdom" will be cast out, explicitly tying the Centurion's exceptional faith to the broader theme of Gentile inclusion. This passage serves as a theological turning point, beginning to hint at the universal scope of the gospel.

Matthew 8 10 Word analysis

  • When Jesus heard this: Greek: akousas. Not just an auditory reception, but Jesus' active attention to the Centurion's words and understanding. It indicates His full engagement and perception of the Centurion's extraordinary statement.
  • he was amazed: Greek: ethaumasen. This is a significant word in the Gospels, conveying genuine wonder or astonishment. It's striking that Jesus, being divine, experiences such an emotion. This doesn't imply a lack of foreknowledge but underscores His true humanity and His profound, authentic response to extraordinary human faith. It serves as a pedagogical moment for His disciples.
  • and said to those following him: Jesus addresses not just the Centurion, but also the surrounding crowd and His disciples. This public declaration emphasizes the significance of the Centurion's faith as a teaching moment for everyone, especially those who presumed their place in God's kingdom by birthright.
  • Truly I tell you: Greek: Amēn legō hymin. A solemn, authoritative declaration frequently used by Jesus (especially in Matthew) to introduce a truth of utmost importance and certainty. "Amen" derives from Hebrew, meaning "so be it" or "it is true," conveying absolute affirmation. It marks what follows as a fundamental, non-negotiable spiritual reality.
  • I have not found anyone in Israel: This is a direct, sweeping statement, creating a profound spiritual indictment and contrast. "Israel" refers to the chosen covenant people, implying that within the very nation meant to steward God's truth, this depth of faith was lacking among them in comparison to a Gentile. It challenged their religious pride and nationalistic assumptions.
  • with such great faith: Greek: tosautēn pistin. The adjective "such" emphasizes the quality and magnitude of the Centurion's faith. It was not merely belief, but a robust trust and profound understanding of Jesus' unique spiritual authority, perceiving His command as sufficient in itself, transcending physical presence or ritualistic acts.

Words-group analysis:

  • "When Jesus heard this, he was amazed": This phrase highlights Jesus' active humanity and emotional responsiveness. His "amazement" here, similar to His amazement at unbelief (Mk 6:6), teaches by example what truly impacts and pleases God: profound faith, not merely religious adherence.
  • "Truly I tell you, I have not found": This strong opening emphasizes the absolute truth and unique weight of Jesus' declaration. "I have not found" carries an investigative, observant tone, as if Jesus has deeply evaluated the spiritual landscape and is now pronouncing His finding.
  • "anyone in Israel with such great faith": This statement creates a stark, dramatic comparison. It directly contrasts the faith of a Roman Gentile (an outsider) with the spiritual state of God's covenant people. It suggests that while Israel possessed the Law and prophecies, many lacked the simple, humble, and deeply discerning faith that Jesus sought and honored. It anticipates the widening of salvation to the Gentiles.

Matthew 8 10 Bonus section

The Centurion's faith in Matthew 8:10 is an example of "word-faith" in its truest sense, demonstrating belief in the efficacy of Jesus' logos (word) to bring about physical healing without Him needing to be physically present. This highlights the supreme power of Jesus' authoritative word. Furthermore, Jesus' amazement can be understood not just as an emotional reaction but also as a teaching strategy. By openly expressing His astonishment, He validated the Centurion and powerfully underscored for His disciples and the listening crowd what true, living faith looks like, implicitly challenging them to examine their own. This encounter underscores a foundational theological truth: the Kingdom of God is open to all who exhibit humble faith in Christ's absolute authority, regardless of their ethnicity or religious pedigree, thus shifting the focus from lineage to loyalty.

Matthew 8 10 Commentary

Matthew 8:10 presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, not only showcasing His divine power but also reorienting expectations of where true faith is found. Jesus' astonishment at the Centurion's faith is not due to a divine lack of knowledge, but a profound human reaction, underscoring the exceptional nature of this man's belief. This Gentile officer grasped the essence of Jesus' authority—that a mere command from Him held absolute power over disease and distance—an insight that eluded many within Israel who were mired in ritualism or expectation of an earthly king.

Jesus' "Truly I tell you" pronouncement validates the Centurion's faith and serves as a direct critique of the spiritual lukewarmness prevalent among many Jews of His day. It is a sobering reminder that lineage or religious upbringing do not automatically equate to genuine faith or standing with God. The Centurion's humility and clear recognition of authority stood in sharp contrast to the spiritual pride or spiritual blindness often seen within the established religious system. This passage teaches that genuine faith is characterized by humble submission to Jesus' divine authority, a trust that His word is sufficient, and a willingness to step outside traditional religious boundaries. It lays the groundwork for understanding the inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom, as further elaborated in the verses that follow, demonstrating that God seeks heartfelt faith from any person, anywhere.

Practical usage:

  • Faith is not limited by one's background; anyone can have "great faith" if their trust is fully in Jesus' authority.
  • Genuine faith delights the Lord.
  • Beware of spiritual complacency based on privilege rather than personal, humble trust.