Matthew 8:9 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The centurion explains his faith through the chain of command he knows so well.
What Does Matthew 8:9 Mean?
The soldier reasons from his own experience of authority. He himself stands under command, and he in turn commands others; a word from him sets men moving. He sees in this a picture of how Jesus rules over sickness and the unseen world.
His insight is profound. Just as his orders are obeyed because he holds delegated authority, so Jesus need only speak and disease must obey, for His authority is real and absolute. The centurion grasps that the power of Jesus operates by the spoken word, that all things are under His command. From the ordinary structure of his daily duty he has drawn a true vision of the Lord's dominion, and offered it as the ground of his trust.
Matthew 8:9 in the Original Language
exousia (ἐξουσία), 'authority' -- the rightful power to command and to act; the centurion recognizes that Jesus holds it over all things.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 8:9
What does Matthew 8:9 mean?
The centurion explains his faith through the chain of command he knows so well.