THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 8 - Verse 11

Verse 11. Many shall come from the east, etc. Jesus takes occasion, from the faith of a Roman centurion, to state this conversion would not be solitary; that many pagans -- many from the east and west -- would be converted to the gospel, and be saved, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were. The phrase "from the east and from the west," in the Scripture, is used to denote the whole world, Isaiah 45:6; 59:19. The phrase, shall sit down, in the original, refers to the manner of sitting at meals, See Barnes "Mt 23:6"

and the enjoyments of heaven are described under the similitude of a feast or banquet -- a very common manner of speaking of it, Mt 26:29; Lu 14:15; 22:30.

It is used here to denote felicity, enjoyment, or honour. To sit with those distinguished men was an honour, and would be expressive of great felicity.

{z} "many shall come" Is 2:2,3; Lu 13:29; Ac 11:18; Ephesians 3:6; Re 7:9