ACC ~ Matthew 8 v5 - 13

OVERVIEW:

The Lord’s purpose in coming to the centurion’s house was not merely to enter into his house but into his heart (AUGUSTINE). The centurion had grasped what Martha had not, that Jesus himself is the One who answers prayer. He fully expected the healing of his servant (CHRYSOSTOM). It was not those who first received the law and prophets who were destined to sit at table with Abraham but those who in spirit willingly belonged to the household of faith. The only nation that beheld and directly knew Jesus crucified him. The other nations of the world, as seen prototypically in the case of the centurion, would come to hear and believe with great faith (AUGUSTINE). The centurion perceived the authority of Jesus by analogy with his understanding of his own authority to command (THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA). Faith is given by God but born and preserved in the freedom that God gives humanity as a likeness to himself (IRENAEUS).

8:5 | A Centurion Beseeches Jesus

THE CENTURION EXPECTED THE HEALING

CHRYSOSTOM: Some argue that the centurion, by his description, implied the reason why he had not brought his servant to Jesus, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress,” as though he was at his last gasp, or even, as Luke said, he was “at the point of death.” [1] In my opinion, however, the reason he had not brought him in was itself a sign of his great faith, even much greater than those who let the patient down through the roof. [2] Because the centurion knew for certain that even a mere command was enough for raising the servant up, he thought it unnecessary to bring him. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 26.1. [3]

[1] Lk 7:2.

[2] Lk 5:19.

[3] PG 57:333; NPNF 1 10:176**.

8:6 | In Distress

MY SERVANT

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: He uses the word boy [1] here to indicate his house servant. Luke shows this clearly, calling him his “slave” or “servant.” [2] FRAGMENT 41A. [3]

[1] Theodore’s explanation comes from the fact that pais could mean either son or servant (cf. RSV).

[2] See Lk 7:2-10.

[3] MKGK 109.

8:7 | I Will Come to Your House

JESUS’ OFFER

CHRYSOSTOM: What did Jesus do? Something he had never done before. While on previous occasions he had responded to the wish of his supplicants, in this case he rather springs actively toward it. He offers not only to heal him but also to come to his house. By this we learn of the centurion’s excellent faith. For if he had not made this offer but rather had said, “Go your way, let your servant be healed,” we would not have known these things. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 26.1. [1]

[1] PG 57:333; NPNF 1 10:176**.

8:8 | The Centurion Pleads Unworthiness

LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY

AUGUSTINE: When the Lord promised to go to the centurion’s house to heal his servant, the centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” By viewing himself as unworthy, he showed himself worthy for Christ to come not merely into his house but also into his heart. He would not have said this with such great faith and humility if he had not already welcomed in his heart the One who came into his house. It would have been no great joy for the Lord Jesus to enter into his house and not to enter his heart. For the Master of humility both by word and example sat down also in the house of a certain proud Pharisee, Simon, and though he sat down in his house, there was no place in his heart. For in his heart the Son of Man could not lay his head. [1] SERMON 62.1. [2]

[1] Mt 8:20.

[2] PL 38:415; NPNF 1 6:298** (Sermon 12).

MY SERVANT WILL BE HEALED

CHRYSOSTOM: It is curious that when Martha, who was very dear to Jesus, said, “I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give it to you,” [1] far from being praised, she was rebuked and corrected by the Lord as not having spoken quite fittingly. … For Jesus was teaching her that he himself is the fountain of all good things, the resurrection and the life, as if to say, “I do not wait to receive active power but have it already in myself.” THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 26.2. [2]

[1] Jn 11:22.

[2] PG 57:334-35; NPNF 1 10:177**.

8:9 | One Under Authority

A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: It was a sign of the centurion’s intelligence that merely by thinking to himself about what was likely, he believed such things about Christ. For he says, “I also am a man. But nevertheless I am the lord over those I have received authority to rule. Therefore it is nothing strange if you, who have received authority from God, should be able to command illnesses to depart by a mere word.” The centurion did not approach Jesus as one who is Son of God and Lord of the whole creation (for at that time, before the crucifixion, this was not yet known even by the disciples). Rather, he came to him as to a man who, because of his virtues, had received from God some greater-than-human authority. This is why he says, “For I also am a man.” For since he had said to him, “say the word,” and this might seem proper to God only, he rightly adds the statement, “for I also am a man,” as though to say, “It is nothing surprising if you, a man who has received authority from God, should be able to do this thing, since I myself, a man like you, receive subjects and am set over them to command them as I will.” FRAGMENT 41A. [1]

[1] MKGK 109-10.

8:10 | Such Faith Not Found in Israel

THE EFFECT OF HIGH EXPECTATIONS

CHRYSOSTOM: Jesus is found marveling at the centurion. He turns his attention to him and honors him with the gift of the kingdom. He calls others to the same zeal. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 26.2. [1]

[1] PG 57:335; NPNF 1 10:177**.

NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL

AUGUSTINE: Now this man was a Gentile—he was, after all, a centurion. The Jewish nation already had troops of the Roman Empire among them. This man was in command of troops there, to the extent that a centurion could be in command. He was under authority, and he had authority. As a subordinate, he was obedient; as having subordinates, commanding. … Even if the Lord did not enter bodily into this man’s house, yet he was already so present in majesty that he healed his faith and his servant. Yet the same Lord had appeared in bodily presence among his own covenant people. He was not born in some other country. He did not suffer or walk or endure his human sufferings or do wonders in some other nation. None of all this took place in other nations. Yet through the centurion the prophecy was fulfilled that was spoken of him: “A people whom I have not known has served me.” And how did the centurion know him? By “obeying me with the hearing of the ear.” [1] SERMON 62.2. [2]

[1] Ps 18:43-44 (17:43-44 LXX).

[2] PL 38:416; NPNF 1 6:299** (Sermon 12); WSA 3 3:157-58.

8:11-12 | Sitting at Table with the Patriarchs

MANY WILL SIT AT TABLE WITH ABRAHAM

AUGUSTINE: Note how what you have heard in the Gospel as something to come has by now already happened. Jesus commends the centurion’s faith, whose flesh was alien but whose spirit was of the household of faith. It was to him that he said, “Many will come from east and west and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness.” What sons of what kingdom? He is speaking of the people of the covenant, who received the law. To them the prophets were sent. To them was given the temple and the priesthood. They had celebrated the anticipations of things to come. Yet those things of which they would celebrate in figures they did not acknowledge in actual presence. This is why they shall “be thrown into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.” [1] Odd, isn’t it? That they would be sent away, while the Christians would be called from the east and the west to the heavenly banquet to sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, whose bread is righteousness and whose cup is wisdom. SERMON 62.6. [2]

[1] Mt 8:11-12.

[2] PL 38:417; NPNF 1 6:300** (Sermon 12); cf. WSA 3 3:158-59.

8:13 | The Servant Healed

AS YOU BELIEVED

IRENAEUS: There is no coercion with God. He has a good will toward us continually. He gives reliable counsel to humans and angels (who also are rational beings), to whom he has given the power of choice. Those who yield obedience therefore possess what is good freely and justly. It is given by God but preserved by themselves. … The human spirit is possessed of free will from the beginning, and God is possessed of free will, in whose likeness humanity was created. Humanity is advised to hold fast to the good and thereby be responsive to God. This refers not only to works but faith as well. God preserved the human will free and under his own self-control … as is shown in Jesus’ word to the centurion: “Go. Be it done for you as you have believed.” AGAINST HERESIES 3.37.1, 4-5. [1]

[1] ANF 1:518-20*.