Note 3 at Lk. 7:9: The Jews had misinterpreted the fact that God had chosen the Israelites to be His people. They thought no one could really know God unless he was or became a Jew. Jesus pointed out on a number of occasions the fact that God also loved and answered the prayers of Gentiles (Lk. 4:24- 27; see Intro. to Gospel of Lk., page xvii, para. 4) and this is, no doubt, His purpose in talking about the centurion's faith in this manner. He is pointing out to the pious Jews that this Gentile had a greater faith than any Jew He had ever seen.