Matthew 8:9

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.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The centurion speaks to Jesus while requesting his servant’s healing, stating he is a man under authority who gives orders that are immediately obeyed.

The words — γὰρ (gar) means “for,” and ὑπὸ ἐξουσίαν (hupo exousian) literally translates to “under authority,” describing the centurion’s subordination.

The thread — The concept of ordered authority and submission appears in Titus 2:9 regarding slaves and masters, while Psalms 107:25 and Psalms 119:91 depict creation’s obedience to divine command.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that spiritual authority operates through delegated order, not coercion, and to examine their own willingness to submit to the chains of command they acknowledge.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Titus 2:9 Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
Psalms 107:25 For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.
Psalms 119:91 Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You.
Psalms 148:8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word,
Luke 4:35 But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him.
Luke 4:39 and He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and began to serve them.
Luke 7:8 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.”
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
Job 38:34 Can you command the clouds so that a flood of water covers you?
Jeremiah 47:6 ‘Alas, O sword of the LORD, how long until you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still!’