The First Three Times of Believe & Faith in the NT

Dateline: Kona, Hawaii

“Believe” vis a vis “Faith” in Matthew, Mark & Luke - Part 1:

The purpose of this entire series of studies is to understand faith in the Bible. To do this in the New Testament (NT) we are examining each context of Scripture where 7 different Greek words in the original that are related to the concept of faith are found. The 7 Greek words are generally (but not always) translated with our English words 1) “faith,” 2) “faithful,” 3) “of little faith,” 4) “believe,” 5) “believe not,” 6) “unbelief” and 7) “that believe not.” We've finished with the first three in the Gospel accounts and now move onto the fourth, which is “believe.” If you are asking why we are looking at the word “believe” when we are studying faith, then you've hit on the purpose of today's study.

“Believe” is normally a translation of the Greek word “pisteuo,” which according to the Smith's Greek-English concordance is found 248 times in the original transcripts of the New Testament (NT.) Although “pisteuo” is usually translated “believe” it is also translated in some passages as: “believing,” “thou hast believed,” “commit unto,” “commit to (one's) trust,” etc. (Smith's word #4000) “Pisteuo” appears 11 times in Matthew; 15 in Mark and 9 in Luke. After we finish these three books we will examine the Gospel of John where it is found 100 times, by far the most of any book in the NT. In today's study we will see that the NT teaches plainly that “to believe” is to “have faith.” “Believe” is a verb; words that typically express action, state, or a relation between two things while “faith” is a noun, which is the name of persons, places, things, states or qualities.

The first time “pisteuo,” translated “believe” is found in the NT is an indication that to believe is to have faith and this lesson is repeated in two subsequent events. But first, let's remind ourselves of the dictionary definition of the English word believe: “-verb (used without object) 1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully. -verb (used with object) 2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to. 3. to have confidence in the assertions of (a person). 4. to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation: The fugitive is believed to be headed for the Mexican border. 5. to suppose or assume; understand (usually fol. by a noun clause): I believe that he has left town.”

Now we go to three incidents when Jesus Christ used the words “believe” and “faith” to indicate that “to believe,” the action word, is to have “faith,” the name of a thing.

1) The first time the word “pisteuo,” translated “believe” it is found in the NT is in Matthew 8:5 - 135 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

(parallel passage Luke 7:1 - 101 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

.) We previously examined this incident while studying the noun “faith” (Vol 3, No 11and 12.) It involves the Centurion (a Gentile) who sent emissaries to ask Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus accompanied the emissaries back to the Centurion's house but before they arrived the Centurion sent others out to advise that he was not worthy of Jesus to enter his house and (he believed that) all Jesus had to do was to say the word and his servant would be healed. “When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, (the Greek noun “pistis”) no, not in Israel.” Matthew 8:1010 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

. “And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, (these 3 words are a translation of the Greek word pisteuo) so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” Matthew 8:1313 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

. (One must review both Gospel accounts of this incident together, i.e., Matthew 8:5 - 13 and Luke 7:1 - 10, because Luke provides details not found in Matthew's account that clarify exactly what happened.) Simply put, the centurion's servant was healed, just as the centurion believed (the action word believe) and his believing is labeled as faith (the noun.) Thus Jesus, the living Word of God, demonstrated that to believe is to have faith, while pointing out that the Gentile Centurion had more faith than could be found in His own people Israel.

2) The second time the word “believe” appears in the New Testament is when two blind men came to Jesus asking that He have mercy on them (Matthew 9:27 - 3127 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

.) “And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.” Matthew 9:28 & 2928 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

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3) Then, two Gospel writers record a third occasion this lesson is taught: Matthew 21:18 - 2218 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

and Mark 11:12 - 1412 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

; 20 - 26. (Both accounts must be reviewed together in order to fully understand what happened.) Jesus was hungry when He came upon a fig tree with no fruit. He cursed it and when it withered away his disciples marveled. To make the point of this study and for brevity's sake only a few verses are quoted: “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:21 & 2221 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

. Mark's account: “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:22 - 2422 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

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The next study will examine the major point/s made by Jesus in these three incidents, as well as any application/s they have to us.