And Jesus said unto the centurion,
Go your way; and as you have believed, so be it done unto
you.
And his servant was healed in the same hour.
All Commentaries on Matthew 8:13 Go To Matthew 8
John Chrysostom
AD 407
As what the leper had affirmed concerning Christ’s power, “If thou will, thoucanst cleanse me,” was confirmed by the mouth of Christ, saying, “I will, bethou clean;” so here He did not blame the centurion for bearing testimony to Christ's authority, but even commended him. Nay more; it is something greater than commendation that the Evangelist signifies in the words, “But Jesus hearing marvelled.”.
Andrew believed, but it was after John had said, “Behold the Lamb of God;” Peter believed, but it was by reading the Scriptures; and Nathanael first received a proof of His Divinity, and then spoke forth his confession of faith.
Or, if we would suppose that his faith was greater than even that of the Apostles, Christ’s testimony to it must be understood as though every good in a man should be commended relatively to his character; as it were a great thing in a countryman to speak with wisdom, but in aphilosopher the same would be nothing wonderful. In this way it may be said of the centurion, In none other have I found so great faith in Israel.
For it is a different thing for a Jew to believe and for a Gentile.
Or, He calls them “the children of the kingdom,” because the kingdom was prepared for them, which was the greater grief to them.
But that none might suppose that these were nothing more than fair words, He makes them credible by the miracles following, “And Jesus said to the centurion, Go, and be it done to thee as thou hast believed.”.
Wherein admire the speediness, shewing Christ’s power, not only to heal, but todo it in a moment of time.
