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Mat_8:11. Ἀπὸ ἀνατ . καὶ δυσμ .] from the most widely separated quarters of the world
Gentiles. Comp. Isa_45:6; Mal_1:11.
According to Jewish ideas, one of the main elements in the happiness of the Messianic kingdom was the privilege of participating in splendid festive entertainments along with the patriarchs of the nation. Bertholdt, Christol. p. 196. Schoettgen on this passage. Jesus employs the expression in a symbolical sense (Mat_26:29; Luk_13:28; Luk_14:15; Rev_19:9; Mat_22:30; 1Co_15:50): many Gentiles will become believers, and so have their part in the blessings of the Messianic kingdom in happy fellowship with the patriarchs of the people of God. In sharp contrast to incarnate (Mat_3:9) Jewish pride, Tanchum (in Schoettgen): “In mundo futuro, (dixit Deus) mensam ingentem vobis sternam, quod gentiles videbunt et pudefient.” Bertholdt, p. 176. Hilgenfeld sees in the whole narrative the milder comprehensive Judaeo-Christianity of the author of the revised Gospel; but Keim again, while upholding the account in all other points, ascribes Mat_8:11 f. to the hand that framed the later version, although, with Mat_8:10, preparing the way for them, the words neither interrupt the connection nor clash with the then standpoint of Jesus (Mat_3:9), seeing that in the Sermon on the Mount (especially Mat_7:21 f.) He has taken away from the kingdom of God anything like national limitation.