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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Matthew 8:10 - 8:10
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Mat 8:10. Ἐθαύμασε, wondered) Faith and unbelief were both the objects of Christ’s wonder; see Mar 6:6. Our Lord praises His friends warmly, where there is an opportunity for so doing. See ch. Mat 11:7, Mat 15:28, Mat 25:35, Mat 26:10; Luk 7:44; Luk 21:3.-ἐν τῷ Ἰσραὴλ, in Israel) sc. the people of Israel. Neither the centurion nor the woman of Canaan were of Israel; but with regard to the latter, our Lord may seem to have given a higher testimony, because she came openly from the coasts of the Gentiles, whereas the former had dwelt in Israel: and the centurion himself anticipated that objection (id occupavit), when he declared himself to be unworthy, and interposed the elders of the Jews between himself and our Lord.-τοσαύτην, so great) especially as the centurion had had much less intercourse with our Lord [than His brethren according to the flesh]. His faith was an example and earnest of the faith by which the Gentiles would surpass the Jews.-πίστιν, faith) From this first mention of faith in the New Testament, we may gather that faith (as well as unbelief) is in both the understanding and the will, being the result of deliberation and free choice.[363] See the concordances on the word πειθω.[364] Of all the virtues evinced by those who came to the Lord, He is wont to praise faith alone. See ch. Mat 15:28; Luk 7:50.[365]-ΟὐΔῈ-ΕὒΡΟΝ, I have not found) though I have come to seek it.
[363] Deliberation being the province of the Understanding; Free Choice, the offspring of the Will.-(I. B.)
[364] πείθω, to persuade, etc., the verb from which πίστις, faith is derived.-(I. B.)
[365] In proportion to the greatness of humility, is the greatness of faith.-See Mat 8:8, and Luk 17:5-10.-V. g.