Yet the nobleman had a degree of faith; for he had come to ask what seemed to him the most precious of all blessings. Jesus had a greater gift to bestow. He desired, not only to heal the child, but to make the officer and his household sharers in the blessings of salvation, and to kindle a light in Capernaum, which was so soon to be the field of His own labors. But the nobleman must realize his need before he would desire the grace of Christ. This courtier represented many of his nation. They were interested in Jesus from selfish motives. They hoped to receive some special benefit through His power, and they staked their faith on the granting of this temporal favor; but they were ignorant as to their spiritual disease, and saw not their need of divine grace.

Dog havde embedsmanden nogen tro; for han var kommet for at bede om det, som for ham var den dyrebareste af alle velsignelser. Jesus havde en endnu større gave at give. Han ønskede ikke blot at helbrede barnet, men at give embedsmanden og hans hjem del i frelsens velsignelser og at tænde et lys i Kapernaum, som inden længe skulle blive arbejdsfeltet for hans egen virksomhed. Men embedsmanden måtte forstå sin egen nød, før han kunne begære Kristi nåde. Denne hofmand var et billede på mange af hans eget folk. De interesserede sig for Jesus af egoistiske årsager. De håbede på at komme til at modtage særlige goder ved hans kraft, og de gjorde deres tro afhængig af, om de fik denne timelige gunst tilstået. Men de var uvidende om deres åndelige sygdom og forstod ikke deres trang til Guds nåde.