Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 8:5-7

"And when he was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And he saith unto him, I will come and heal him." — Matthew 8:5-7 (ASV)

A Gentile approaches our King—a soldier, one of Israel’s oppressors, and our Lord receives him with an “I will,” even as He had received the leper. This Roman officer came concerning his slave-boy. It is good for masters to be concerned for their servants, especially when they are sick. It is best of all when they go to Jesus about their servants, as this centurion did.

The boy was at his master’s house. He had not sent him away because he was ill. The kind master watched his servant’s bed and he sympathetically describes what he had seen. He seeks a cure, but does not prescribe to the Lord how or where He will work it. In fact, he does not put his request into words, but pleads the case and lets the sorrow speak. That the youth is “grievously tormented” is mentioned as an argument to move our Lord to pity. One does not often see palsy and acute pain united, but the watchful centurion had observed these symptoms, and he pleads them with Jesus. Not merit, but misery, must be our plea with the Savior.

Our Lord needed very little pleading. He promptly said, “I will come and heal him.” Lord, say this to us concerning those for whom we lovingly intercede!