DAILY DEVOTION FOR TODAY, Monday March 17, 2014 Matthew 8:5 ¶ And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, Albert Barnes NT Commentary: Verse 5. Capernaum. See Barnes for Mt 4:13. There came unto him a centurion. A centurion was a commander of a hundred men, in the Roman armies. Judea was a Roman province, and garrisons were kept there to preserve the people in subjection. This man was probably by birth a pagan. See Mt 8:10. {v} a centurion Lu 7:2 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. Albert Barnes NT Commentary: Verse 6. Sick of the palsy. See Barnes for Mt 4:24. The particular form which the palsy assumed is not mentioned. It seems it was a violent attack. Perhaps it was the painful form which produced violent cramps, and which immediately endangered his life. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. Albert Barnes NT Commentary: Verse 7. No Barnes text on this verse. 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. Albert Barnes NT Commentary: Verse 8. I am not worthy, etc. This was an expression of great humility. It refers doubtless to his view of his personal unworthiness, and not merely to the fact that he was a Gentile. It was the expression of a humble spirit; a conviction of the great dignity and power of the Saviour, and a belief that he was so unlike him, that he was not fit that the Son of God should come into his dwelling. So every truly penitent sinner feels--a feeling which is appropriate when he comes to Christ. {w} not worthy Ps 10:17; Lu 15:19,21 {x} the word only Ps 33:9; 107:20 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. Albert Barnes NT Commentary: Verse 9. I am a man, etc. He had full confidence in the ability of Jesus to heal his servant, and requested him simply to give the command. This request he presented in a manner appropriate to a soldier. I am a man, says he, under authority. That is, I am subject to the commands of others, and know how to obey. I have also under me soldiers who are accustomed to obedience. I say to one, go, and he goes; and to another, come, and he comes. I am prepared, therefore, to believe that your commands will be obeyed. As these obey me, so do diseases, storms, and seas obey you. If men obey me, who am an inferior officer, subject to another, how much more shall diseases obey you--the original Source of power-- having control over all things! He asked, therefore, simply that Christ would give commandment, and he felt assured he would be obeyed. 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. Albert Barnes NT Commentary: Verse 10. I have not found so great faith. The word faith, here, means confidence, or belief that Christ had power to heal his servant. It does not of necessity imply that he had saving faith; though from the connexion, and the spirit manifested, it seems probable that he had. If this was so, then he was the first Gentile convert to Christianity, and was a very early illustration of what was more dearly revealed afterwards, that the heathen were to be brought to the knowledge of the truth. Jesus---marvelled. Or wondered at his faith; or deemed it remarkable. Not in Israel. Israel was a name given to Jacob, (Ge 32:28,29) because, as a prince, he had power with God; because he persevered in wrestling with the angel that met him, and obtained the blessing. The name is derived from two Hebrew words, signifying Prince and God. He was one of the patriarchs; a progenitor of the Jewish nation; and the names Israel and Israelites were given to them as the name Romans was in honour of Romulus; and the name Americans after Americus Vespuccius. It was given to the whole nation till the time of Jeroboam, when only the ten tribes that revolted received the name, probably because they were a majority of the nation. After the captivity of Babylon, it was given to all the Jews indiscriminately. See Mt 10:6; Ac 7:42; Heb 8:8; Mr 15:32. It here means, I have not found such an instance of confidence among the Jews. {y} no, not in all Israel Mt 15:28
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 11:48:39 +0000