Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 8:5

"And when he was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him," — Matthew 8:5 (ASV)

This is Matthew’s second mention of Capernaum (cf. 4:13). In Jesus’ day it was an important garrison town. No Roman legions were posted in Palestine, but there were auxiliaries under Herod Antipas, who had the right to levy troops. These were non-Jews, probably recruited from outside Galilee, perhaps from Lebanon and Syria. Centurions were the military backbone throughout the empire, maintaining discipline and executing orders. Matthew stresses this centurion’s faith and race (vv.10–11).