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.

MATTHEW 8:9KJV
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Matthew 8:9 (KJV)

What does Matthew 8:9 mean?

Matthew 8:9 shows a Roman centurion explaining to Jesus that he understands how authority works: just as he commands soldiers and they obey without question, he believes Jesus can command healing with the same kind of authority. The centurion is saying he trusts Jesus’ word alone to heal his servant, without needing Jesus to come in person.

The speaker is a Roman officer talking directly to Jesus, asking for his servant to be healed. The centurion uses his own experience with authority over soldiers to illustrate why he believes Jesus can simply "say the word" and his servant will be healed. This verse highlights the centurion’s recognition of Jesus’ unique authority and his deep trust in Jesus’ power.

The Greek behind Matthew 8:9

  • ἐξουσία (exousia): This word means "authority" or "power." The centurion’s use of ἐξουσία shows he sees Jesus as someone who can command events to happen, just as a military officer commands his troops.
  • ὑπὸ (hypo): This word means "under." The centurion describes himself as "under authority" and also having soldiers "under" him, emphasizing the chain of command and how orders flow from one to another.
  • στρατιώτης (stratiōtēs): This word means "soldiers." By mentioning his soldiers, the centurion is drawing a direct parallel between his role and what he believes about Jesus’ authority.
  • πορεύομαι (poreuomai): This word means "to go." The centurion’s example of telling someone to "go" and them going shows he expects immediate obedience, just as he believes Jesus’ word will bring immediate results.

Why Matthew 8:9 matters

  • Matthew 8:9 clears up that the centurion is not asking Jesus to come physically but is confident that Jesus’ spoken word alone is enough to heal.
  • This verse highlights the centurion’s understanding of authority, which is key to why Jesus praises his faith in the following verses.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Matthew 8 of Jesus’ authority over sickness, nature, and spiritual forces, showing that even outsiders like the centurion can recognize and trust in Jesus’ power.

Where else these words appear

“soldiers” Greek G4757 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 27:27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
  • John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
  • Acts 21:35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

“me” Greek G1683 · used in 37 verses

  • Luke 7:7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
  • John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
  • 1 Corinthians 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

“this” Greek G5129 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
  • John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

“authority” Greek G1849 · used in 93 verses

  • Matthew 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
  • Luke 22:53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
  • Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: