Matthew 8:5-13 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

The Centurion's Servant (Luke 7:1-10; Luke 13:28 f.; cf. John 4:46 to John 5:3). Lk.'s version immediately follows his account of the sermon; probably it was so in Q. Mt. (cf. Jn.) may have understood pais to mean son, not servant. Note his use of doulos (slave, cf. mg.) in Matthew 8:9.

Matthew 8:7 b should be read as a question. The centurion in reply admits his nnworthiness.

Matthew 8:9. I also: he does not imply that Jesus was subject to authority; he says, Even I (an officer of comparatively low grade) know what it is to be obeyed.

Matthew 8:10. Note Mt.'s rare admission that Jesus marvelled. The incident is a companion picture to that of the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:28). These Gentiles believed that the cure could be wrought from a distance, a faith surpassing that of any Jew.

Matthew 8:11 f. Note the different, though hardly more suitable, context in Lk. A banquet was a usual feature in Jewish pictures of the Messianic age. sons of the kingdom: here Jews who trust simply in their Judaism, in contrast with those who were spiritually fit, whether Jews or Gentiles. the outer darkness (Matthew 22:13; Matthew 25:30) is the antithesis of the banqueting hall; it is an apocalyptic phrase for the state of final punishment. So is the weeping, etc. (Enoch 108:3, 5; cf. Revelation 16:10).

Matthew 8:13. Either the word of Jesus wrought the cure, or He knew and said that God would heal the patient because of the centurion's faith.

Matthew 8:5-13

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith unto him,I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 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.

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion,Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.