Matthew 8:9

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063}{G2532} I {G1473} am {G1510} a man {G444} under {G5259} authority {G1849}, having {G2192} soldiers {G4757} under {G5259} me {G1683}: and {G2532} I say {G3004} to this {G5129} man, Go {G4198}, and {G2532} he goeth {G4198}; and {G2532} to another {G243}, Come {G2064}, and {G2532} he cometh {G2064}; and {G2532} to my {G3450} servant {G1401}, Do {G4160} this {G5124}, and {G2532} he doeth {G4160} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

For I too am a man under authority. I have soldiers under me, and I say to this one, `Go!' and he goes; to another, `Come!' and he comes; to my slave, `Do this!' and he does it."

Berean Standard Bible

For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes; and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 8:9 captures the profound faith and remarkable understanding of authority demonstrated by a Roman centurion. In this pivotal statement, the centurion explains to Jesus that his own experience as a military officer, both subject to and exercising authority, has taught him the power of a spoken command. He recognizes that just as his soldiers obey his word without question or the need for his physical presence, so too Jesus possesses an even greater, divine authority over sickness and all creation, rendering His mere word sufficient to heal his ailing servant. This declaration reveals a deep spiritual insight into the nature of Christ's power, eliciting Jesus' astonishment and commendation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the narrative found in [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "Matthew 8:5-13 - The Healing of the Centurion's Servant"), where Jesus encounters a Roman centurion whose servant is gravely ill. The dialogue begins with the centurion's humble plea for his servant's healing. Prior to this verse, in [Matthew 8:8](/matthew/8-8 "Matthew 8:8 - The Centurion's Humility"), the centurion expresses his unworthiness for Jesus to enter his home, instead requesting, "but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Matthew 8:9 then serves as the centurion's explanation for this extraordinary request, demonstrating the logical and theological foundation of his faith. The immediate consequence of this statement is Jesus' profound admiration, as recorded in [Matthew 8:10](/matthew/8-10 "Matthew 8:10 - Jesus Marvels at the Centurion's Faith"), where He declares, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." The passage concludes with the servant's instantaneous healing, affirming the centurion's belief in Jesus' word-commanding power.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The centurion was a Roman military officer, typically commanding around 80-100 soldiers. This position carried significant authority and respect within the Roman Empire, but also placed the centurion firmly within a hierarchical chain of command. He understood that his own authority was delegated from higher powers (the emperor, his generals), and that his commands were obeyed because of this established system. For a Roman officer to approach a Jewish rabbi for healing was unusual, highlighting the centurion's desperation and his unconventional perception of Jesus. Furthermore, the Jewish custom would have considered entering a Gentile's home as defiling, a cultural barrier the centurion respectfully acknowledges in [Matthew 8:8](/matthew/8-8 "Matthew 8:8 - The Centurion's Humility"). His understanding of authority, derived from the highly structured Roman military, provided him with a unique lens through which to grasp Jesus' divine power, contrasting sharply with the often legalistic and ritualistic understanding of faith prevalent among some Jewish leaders of the time.

* **Key Themes:** The centurion's declaration in [Matthew 8:9](/matthew/8-9 "Matthew 8:9 - The Centurion's Understanding of Authority") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Authority**, showcasing Jesus' absolute power over sickness and the spiritual realm, not merely through physical presence or ritual, but through His authoritative word. This resonates with the theme of Jesus as the Messiah, the one through whom God's kingdom breaks into the world with power, as seen in His teaching with authority in [Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus Teaches with Authority"). Secondly, the passage highlights **Extraordinary Faith**, particularly from an unexpected source—a Gentile. The centurion's faith, which trusts in Jesus' spoken word alone, stands in stark contrast to the often-limited faith found among those who had greater access to God's revelation in Israel, echoing themes of Gentile inclusion in God's plan of salvation, as prophesied in [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles"). Thirdly, the narrative underscores the **Power of the Spoken Word**, emphasizing that God's will is accomplished through His declarations, a concept foundational to creation itself in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and the prophetic word throughout the Old Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **authority (Greek, _exousía_):** This term (G1849) signifies delegated power, privilege, right, or jurisdiction. In the centurion's statement, it is used twice: first, to describe his own position as "a man under authority," meaning he is subject to a higher power; and second, implicitly, to describe the power he himself wields over his soldiers. The centurion's insight is that Jesus operates with an inherent, supreme _exousía_ that transcends any earthly chain of command, allowing Him to command sickness and demons with absolute efficacy.
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos_):** This word (G1401) denotes a slave or bond-servant, literal or figurative. In this context, it refers to the centurion's personal domestic slave, whose dire illness prompts the centurion's appeal to Jesus. The fact that a Roman officer would show such concern and go to such lengths for a slave was notable, reflecting a compassionate character. The term also subtly foreshadows the concept of Christ as the ultimate "servant" (though not using this specific word for Christ here), who came not to be served but to serve.
* **goeth (Greek, _poreúomai_):** This verb (G4198) means "to traverse, to travel, to go." It is used here to describe the immediate and unquestioning obedience of the centurion's soldiers when he commands them to "Go." The centurion draws a direct parallel between this immediate response to his command and the expected immediate response of sickness or any other entity to Jesus' command, highlighting the absolute and unhindered power of Jesus' word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I am a man under authority":** The centurion begins by establishing his own position within a hierarchical structure. He is not autonomous but is himself subject to the commands and jurisdiction of those above him. This demonstrates his understanding of how power flows from a recognized source. His humility and recognition of his own submission to authority lay the groundwork for his perception of Jesus' supreme authority.
* **"having soldiers under me":** This clause immediately follows, presenting the other side of the centurion's experience with authority. While he is under authority, he also possesses authority over others. He commands a unit of soldiers, and his commands are binding upon them. This duality of being both subject to and exercising authority is key to his analogy.
* **"and I say to this [man], Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh":** Here, the centurion provides concrete examples of how his authority functions. He issues a simple, direct command ("Go" or "Come"), and the command is immediately and perfectly obeyed by his subordinates. This illustrates the efficacy of a spoken word when backed by recognized authority, regardless of the commander's physical presence at the scene of the action.
* **"and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it].":** This final example brings the analogy directly to the centurion's immediate concern. Just as his soldiers and servants obey his word without question, he believes Jesus' word will be equally effective in commanding the illness to depart from his servant. This shows his profound faith that Jesus' authority extends even to the realm of sickness and disease, and that His power operates through a simple, spoken command.

#### Literary Devices
The centurion's statement in Matthew 8:9 is rich in literary technique, primarily employing **Analogy** and **Parallelism**. The entire verse functions as an **Analogy**, where the centurion draws a direct comparison between his military experience with authority and his understanding of Jesus' divine power. He uses his familiar context of a chain of command—being "under authority" himself yet "having soldiers under me"—to explain why he believes Jesus' mere word is sufficient for healing. This analogy is profoundly insightful, revealing a spiritual truth through a common, relatable human experience. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Parallelism** through the repeated structure of "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]." This anaphoric and repetitive phrasing emphasizes the immediate, unquestioning, and absolute obedience that results from a command issued by one in authority. This rhetorical device not only makes the centurion's explanation clear and forceful but also underscores the certainty of the outcome when a command is given by one who truly possesses power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The centurion's understanding of authority in Matthew 8:9 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of Jesus Christ. It underscores that Jesus' power is not derived from physical proximity, ritual, or human effort, but from His inherent divine authority (exousía). This authority is absolute, extending over all creation, including sickness, demons, and even death. The centurion, a Gentile, grasps a truth that many in Israel, despite their long history with God's revelation, failed to see: Jesus is the sovereign Lord whose word is efficacious and whose commands are universally obeyed. This highlights the universal scope of Christ's dominion and the simplicity of faith required to access His power—a faith that trusts in the sheer potency of His spoken word.

* [Psalm 33:9](/psalms/33-9 "Psalm 33:9 - God Speaks and it is Done")
* [Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - Jesus' Authority Over Demons")
* [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things by His Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The centurion's faith, rooted in his understanding of authority, provides a powerful model for contemporary believers. His recognition that Jesus' word alone carries sufficient power to accomplish His will challenges us to examine the depth of our own trust in Christ's authority. Do we truly believe that when Jesus speaks, it is done? This verse calls us to move beyond a reliance on physical manifestations or human intermediaries and to cultivate a faith that rests solely on the inherent power of Christ's command. It encourages us to submit to His divine authority in every area of our lives, trusting that His guidance, His promises, and His declarations are utterly reliable and effective. When we pray, do we pray with the conviction that His word is enough? When we face challenges, do we stand on His promises as absolute commands that will be fulfilled? The centurion's example invites us to a deeper, more confident reliance on the all-sufficient authority of our Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the centurion's understanding of authority challenge or affirm your own understanding of Jesus' power?**
* **In what areas of your life are you struggling to trust in the simple, authoritative word of Jesus?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a faith that relies more fully on Christ's spoken word, rather than on physical evidence or human effort?**
* **How does recognizing Jesus' absolute authority impact your approach to prayer and daily living?**

### FAQ

**What does the centurion mean by "a man under authority, having soldiers under me"?**

Answer: The centurion is explaining his understanding of how authority works, drawing a parallel from his military experience to Jesus' divine power. When he says he is "a man under authority," he means he himself is subject to a higher command (e.g., the emperor, his superior officers). He obeys orders given to him. When he says "having soldiers under me," he means he also possesses delegated authority over his own subordinates. He gives commands, and his soldiers obey them. This dual experience of being both subject to and exercising authority gives him unique insight into the nature of power: commands are effective because of the authority behind them, not necessarily the physical presence of the commander. He applies this logic to Jesus, believing that Jesus' word alone is sufficient because He possesses ultimate authority.

**Why was the centurion's faith so remarkable to Jesus?**

Answer: Jesus was astonished by the centurion's faith because it was unprecedented in Israel, as stated in [Matthew 8:10](/matthew/8-10 "Matthew 8:10 - Jesus Marvels at the Centurion's Faith"). The centurion, a Gentile, demonstrated a profound spiritual insight that many of Jesus' own people lacked. He understood that Jesus' power was not limited by physical presence or the need for ritual, but operated through His authoritative word alone. This kind of faith, which trusted in the unseen power of Christ's command, was rare and deeply commendable, especially coming from someone outside the covenant community. It highlighted a genuine spiritual perception that transcended cultural and religious boundaries.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 8:9, though spoken by a Gentile, profoundly illuminates the Christ-centered nature of all authority and power. The centurion's analogy of earthly command and obedience points directly to Jesus as the ultimate Commander, the One whose word holds absolute sway over all creation. Just as the centurion's soldiers obeyed his commands without question, so too all things—sickness, demons, nature, and even death—are subject to the authoritative word of Christ. This passage foreshadows and confirms the New Testament revelation that Jesus is the one through whom God created all things and by whom all things are sustained ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). His healing of the centurion's servant by a mere word demonstrates His divine prerogative, echoing the creative power of God's word in [Genesis 1:3](/genesis/1-3 "Genesis 1:3 - God Speaks Light into Being"). As the resurrected Lord, Jesus declares, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission and Christ's Authority")), fully embodying the ultimate authority the centurion intuitively recognized. Thus, the centurion's faith serves as a powerful testament to the sovereign Christ, whose every word is a command that accomplishes His perfect will, offering salvation, healing, and deliverance to all who trust in His supreme authority ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Became Flesh")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 107:25

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Psalms 107:29

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Luke 4:35

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

Luke 4:36

And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word [is] this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

Titus 2:9

[Exhort] servants to be obedient unto their own masters, [and] to please [them] well in all [things]; not answering again;

Luke 7:8

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].

Colossians 3:22

Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: