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.

When {G1161} Jesus {G2424} heard {G191} these things {G5023}, he marvelled {G2296} at him {G846}, and {G2532} turned him about {G4762}, and said {G2036} unto the people {G3793} that followed {G190} him {G846}, I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, I have not found {G2147} so great {G5118} faith {G4102}, no, not {G3761} in {G1722} Israel {G2474}.

Yeshua was astonished at him when he heard this; and he turned and said to the crowd following him, "I tell you, not even in Isra'el have I found such trust!"

When Jesus heard this, He marveled at the centurion. Turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.”

And when Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned and said unto the multitude that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Commentary

Luke 7:9 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry where He encounters a faith so profound that it draws His astonishment. The King James Version (KJV) beautifully conveys this: "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.›" This verse highlights the extraordinary nature of the centurion's belief and Jesus' recognition of it.

Context of Luke 7:9

This powerful declaration by Jesus comes in response to the remarkable humility and faith of a Roman centurion in Capernaum. The centurion, a Gentile, had a beloved servant who was gravely ill and near death. Instead of approaching Jesus directly, he first sent Jewish elders, who pleaded with Jesus on his behalf, testifying to the centurion's worthiness and love for the Jewish nation (Luke 7:4-5). As Jesus was approaching the centurion's house, the centurion sent friends with an even more astonishing message: he considered himself unworthy for Jesus to come under his roof and believed that Jesus only needed to "say in a word" for his servant to be healed (Luke 7:7-8). It was this profound understanding of Jesus' authority, coupled with deep humility, that prompted Jesus' marvel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extraordinary Faith: The centurion's faith was remarkable because it was not based on physical proximity or ritual, but on an understanding of Jesus' divine authority and the power of His word. He believed Jesus could heal from a distance, simply by speaking. This kind of faith goes beyond mere intellectual assent; it is a deep trust in who Jesus is and what He can do.
  • Humility and Authority: The centurion's humility ("I am not worthy") stands in stark contrast to his bold declaration of Jesus' power. His recognition of Jesus' unquestionable authority, likened to his own military chain of command, truly impressed Jesus. This combination of humility and profound trust is what Jesus identifies as "great faith."
  • Gentile Inclusion: Jesus' statement, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel," is highly significant. It highlights that true faith was not limited to those within the traditional covenant community but could be found even among Gentiles. This foreshadows the broader scope of God's salvation plan, extending beyond the nation of Israel to include all who believe (Matthew 8:11-12; Romans 10:12).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "marvelled" translates the Greek verb thaumazo (θαυμάζω), which means to be astonished, filled with wonder, or to admire greatly. This is a strong term indicating Jesus' genuine surprise and profound admiration for the centurion's unique faith. It is one of the few instances in the Gospels where Jesus is described as marveling at someone's faith, underscoring its exceptional quality. The phrase "so great faith" (τοσαύτην πίστιν - tosauten pistin) emphasizes the magnitude and distinctiveness of this belief.

Related Scriptures

  • A parallel account of this event and Jesus' similar commendation of the centurion's faith can be found in Matthew 8:10.
  • For another instance where Jesus commends "great faith," see His interaction with the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:28.
  • The nature of faith itself is explored in Hebrews 11:1, defining it as the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Practical Application

Luke 7:9 offers several timeless lessons for believers today. It challenges us to cultivate a faith that trusts implicitly in Jesus' word and authority, even when circumstances seem impossible. It encourages humility, recognizing our unworthiness while simultaneously embracing God's immense power. Furthermore, it reminds us that God's grace and the opportunity for "great faith" are not limited by background, ethnicity, or social standing, but are available to all who genuinely believe in Jesus Christ. Our faith, like the centurion's, should be characterized by an unwavering confidence in Christ's ability to accomplish what He says.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 15:28 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 8:10 (6 votes)

    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.

  • Romans 3:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision?

  • Romans 3:3 (4 votes)

    For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

  • Matthew 9:33 (1 votes)

    And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

  • Romans 9:4 (1 votes)

    Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;

  • Romans 9:5 (1 votes)

    Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.