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.

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} Jesus {G2424} heard {G191} it, he marvelled {G2296}, and {G2532} said {G2036} to them that followed {G190}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, I have {G2147} not {G3761} found {G2147} so great {G5118} faith {G4102}, no, not {G3761} in {G1722} Israel {G2474}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing this Yeshua was amazed and said to the people following him, "Yes! I tell you, I have not found anyone in Isra'el with such trust!

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

American Standard Version

And 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 8:10, Jesus expresses profound astonishment at the extraordinary faith of a Roman centurion, a Gentile, declaring that he has not encountered such great faith even among the people of Israel. This pivotal moment highlights the unexpected nature of true belief, challenging the prevailing societal and religious expectations of the time and foreshadowing the expansive reach of God's kingdom beyond ethnic boundaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct response from Jesus to the remarkable humility and faith displayed by a Roman centurion. The preceding verses ([Matthew 8:5-9](/matthew/8-5-9 "The Centurion's Request and Faith")) describe the centurion's plea for his sick servant and his assertion that Jesus need only "speak the word" for healing to occur. This contrasts sharply with the expectation that Jesus would need to physically come to the house. Following Jesus' declaration in [Matthew 8:10](/matthew/8-10 "Jesus Marvels at the Centurion's Faith"), Jesus explicitly connects this Gentile's faith to the future inclusion of many from the "east and west" into the kingdom, while "the children of the kingdom shall be cast out" ([Matthew 8:11-12](/matthew/8-11-12 "The Kingdom of Heaven and Its Inhabitants")). This immediately sets the stage for a broader understanding of God's redemptive plan.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The encounter takes place in Capernaum, a significant center of Jesus' ministry in Galilee. The centurion, a Roman military officer, represented the occupying power, and Gentiles were generally considered outside the covenant promises of Israel. Jewish society often viewed Gentiles with suspicion or disdain, believing salvation was exclusively for the Jewish people. For a Roman officer to approach a Jewish rabbi, let alone express such profound faith and humility, was highly unusual. This context underscores the radical nature of Jesus' commendation, as it subverted deeply ingrained ethnic and religious prejudices, pointing to a new era where faith, not lineage, would be the primary criterion for divine favor.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 8:10 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphasizes the **nature of true faith**, illustrating that genuine belief is not dependent on ethnic origin, social status, or even physical proximity, but on a deep recognition of Jesus' authority and power. Secondly, it powerfully introduces the theme of **Gentile inclusion** into God's kingdom, a concept that would become central to the early church's mission, as seen in the later ministry of Peter and Paul (e.g., [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Peter and Cornelius")). This challenges the prevailing ethnocentric views of salvation prevalent in first-century Judaism. Lastly, it reinforces the **divine authority of Jesus**, as the centurion's understanding of command and obedience perfectly mirrors Jesus' sovereign power over sickness and even distance, a power that elicits Jesus' own astonishment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **marvelled (Greek, _thaumázō'_):** This word signifies a profound sense of wonder, astonishment, or admiration. In this context, it describes Jesus' genuine surprise and deep impression at the quality and depth of the centurion's faith. It's not a lack of divine foreknowledge but an authentic human reaction to an unexpected and exemplary display of spiritual insight.
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** This term denotes persuasion, credence, or moral conviction, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. Here, it refers to the centurion's unwavering trust in Jesus' ability to heal from a distance simply by speaking a word, demonstrating a profound understanding of Jesus' authority that surpassed what Jesus had encountered among his own people, Israel.
* **Israel (Greek, _Israḗl'_):** This refers to the adopted name of Jacob, encompassing his descendants, the Jewish people. In this verse, it serves as a comparative benchmark, highlighting that the exceptional faith found in a Gentile was notably absent or less profound among those who were traditionally considered God's chosen people and recipients of the covenant promises.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled":** Upon hearing the centurion's remarkable declaration of faith and understanding of spiritual authority, Jesus, in his human nature, was genuinely astonished. This "marvelling" underscores the extraordinary nature of the centurion's belief, as it was a rare and striking display of trust in Jesus' power.
* **"and said to them that followed,":** Jesus then turned to his disciples and the crowd that was accompanying him, using the centurion's faith as a teaching moment. This public declaration served to instruct his followers about the true nature of faith and the surprising places it could be found.
* **"Verily I say unto you,":** This phrase, "Amen, I say to you," is a solemn and authoritative declaration, typical of Jesus' teaching. It emphasizes the absolute truth and importance of the statement he is about to make, signaling that what follows is a profound and weighty pronouncement.
* **"I have not found so great faith,":** Jesus explicitly states that the centurion's faith was unparalleled in its magnitude and quality. This was not merely a good faith, but "so great" a faith, indicating a depth of trust and understanding of Jesus' authority that set it apart.
* **"no, not in Israel.":** This concluding phrase delivers the most striking and challenging aspect of Jesus' statement. It contrasts the centurion's exemplary faith with the general spiritual condition of Israel, God's covenant people. It implies a lament over the lack of such profound faith among those who had received the Law and the prophets, setting the stage for the coming shift in God's redemptive plan.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 8:10 powerfully employs several literary devices. **Contrast** is central, juxtaposing the profound faith of a Gentile centurion with the comparative lack of such faith "in Israel." This highlights the surprising nature of God's work and challenges the ethnocentric assumptions of the audience. **Hyperbole** might be perceived in Jesus' statement "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel," not as an exaggeration, but as an emphatic declaration of the centurion's exceptionalism, underscoring its rarity and impact. The phrase "Verily I say unto you" functions as a **solemn affirmation**, lending immense weight and authority to Jesus' pronouncement. Furthermore, the entire episode serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the future inclusion of Gentiles into God's kingdom and the eventual rejection of many within Israel who lacked true faith, a theme that becomes increasingly prominent throughout the New Testament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 8:10 is a pivotal verse that transcends a simple commendation of faith; it is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's kingdom and the criteria for entry. It reveals that God's favor is not predicated on ethnic lineage or social standing, but on genuine, humble faith that recognizes and trusts in Jesus' supreme authority. This encounter with the centurion serves as a powerful illustration of God's universal redemptive plan, demonstrating that the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant were always intended to extend beyond the physical descendants of Israel to all who would believe. It foreshadows the radical inclusivity of the New Covenant, where the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile is broken down, and salvation is offered freely to all who respond in faith.

* [Romans 10:12-13](/romans/10-12-13 "No Distinction Between Jew and Gentile")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Unity in Christ")
* [Ephesians 2:11-13](/ephesians/2-11-13 "Gentiles Included in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The centurion's faith, which so astonished Jesus, serves as a profound challenge and inspiration for believers today. It calls us to examine the depth and object of our own trust. Do we, like the centurion, truly believe that Jesus' word alone is sufficient, even when circumstances seem impossible or when we cannot physically perceive His intervention? This passage encourages us to cultivate a faith that transcends our limitations, our cultural biases, and our preconceived notions of how God should act. It reminds us that God often works in unexpected ways and through unexpected people, valuing a humble and trusting heart above all else. Our faith should be an active, confident reliance on Jesus' authority, recognizing that He commands all things, from the smallest ailment to the greatest spiritual need.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the centurion's faith teach me about the nature of true belief in Jesus' authority?**
* **In what areas of my life do I struggle to trust Jesus' word alone, without needing physical evidence or my own efforts?**
* **How might I be challenged to look beyond societal or cultural expectations to see where God is at work in unexpected places or people?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jesus "marvelled" if He is God and knows all things?**

Answer: Jesus' "marvelling" (Greek: _thaumázō'_) is a significant expression of His genuine human experience. While Jesus is fully divine and omniscient, He also fully embraced His human nature, which included experiencing emotions and reactions. His astonishment was not due to a lack of knowledge, but rather a profound, authentic human response to the extraordinary and unexpected quality of the centurion's faith, especially when contrasted with the spiritual apathy often found among those who had greater access to God's revelation. It highlights the realness of His humanity and serves as a powerful commendation of the centurion's belief, demonstrating how deeply such faith pleases Him. This moment underscores that Jesus truly experienced life as a human, including surprise and admiration for genuine spiritual insight, even as He remained fully God, knowing the hearts of all.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 8:10 stands as a foundational moment in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, pointing directly to the Christ-centered fulfillment of Old Testament promises. Jesus' declaration that He had not found such great faith "no, not in Israel" is a poignant foreshadowing of the New Covenant, where salvation would no longer be confined to ethnic Israel but extended to all nations through faith in Him. The centurion, a Gentile, represents the "many from the east and west" who would "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" ([Matthew 8:11](/matthew/8-11 "Many from East and West Will Sit in the Kingdom")). This Gentile's faith, rooted in a profound recognition of Jesus' divine authority and the power of His word, prefigures the universal call of the Gospel. It illustrates that Christ's saving work is for all humanity, breaking down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, as proclaimed by Paul in [Ephesians 2:14-18](/ephesians/2-14-18 "Christ Our Peace"). The centurion's humility and trust in Jesus' word alone perfectly embody the kind of faith that the Lord seeks, a faith that finds its ultimate object and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the one who came to be the Savior of the world ([John 4:42](/john/4-42 "Jesus, the Savior of the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

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.

Mark 6:6

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

Luke 7:50

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

Luke 5:20

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