Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 8:10

"And 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." — Matthew 8:10 (ASV)

Jesus marveled to see any man believe, for men are incredulous by nature. He rejoices to see a far-off one believe, for, alas! the favored hearers are slow to trust Him. He marvels at a soldier, an officer, having so much faith. Jesus did not praise the centurion to his face, but after he spoke, "he said to them that followed." Avoid flattering young converts.

Learn, from what our Lord said, that He looks out for faith, that He looks for it among hearers of the Word, that He usually does not find it, but that, when He does, it may be so great as to astonish Him. Great faith may grow where there is little soil and no faith where everything seemed to promise and promote it. Great faith is very dear to the Lord Jesus, but He marvels when He sees it, for it is so rare.

When Jesus heard it, he marveled,

He had marveled at men's unbelief; now he marvels at their faith, so that the thing which touches the wonder of God is man's unbelief and man's faith.

And said to them that followed, Verily, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel,

This man is not an Israelite; he is a Roman soldier; but I have never found so much faith in those who are native-born as I find in this stranger.

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.

"Not in Israel," – where the light and the knowledge were, there was not such faith as this centurion possessed. This Roman soldier, rough by training and experience, who was more familiar with stern fighting men than with those who could instruct him concerning Christ, had more faith than Jesus had so far found "in Israel."