Matthew 8:9
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.
**Matthew 8:9**
In this verse, the centurion expands on his understanding of spiritual authority by likening his military role to Jesus’ authority over illness. Being under authority himself, he gives orders to soldiers who obey him and to a servant who follows his command. He uses the language of hierarchy to illustrate how Jesus’ word operates with immediate potency. This is a concise, communal, experiential argument: if a man with earthly power can command obedience, how much more can Jesus command healing through a single spoken word? The centurion’s perspective bridges the practical and the miraculous. He is not arguing from a theological treatise but from lived experience of how orders produce results. The scene highlights faith anchored in recognizing Jesus’ divine sovereignty and the efficacy of his will.
Authority is a central theological thread here. Jesus speaks and healing follows; the verse demonstrates the dignity of Jesus’ word and his unyielding sovereignty over creation. The centurion’s claim—“I am under authority”—is a tacit confession: authority flows from proper source and proper relationship. In Jewish expectation, Messiah would exercise power, but here a Gentile recognizes and submits to Jesus’ authority, foreshadowing the universal scope of Jesus’ mission. The passage emphasizes trust in Jesus’ word as sufficient, rather than ritual or mediation. It affirms that genuine faith submits to the rightful Source of power.
We can apply this by cultivating a posture of confident, patient faith in God’s word. When confronted with a situation requiring healing, deliverance, or provision, resist demanding signs or human strategies; instead, lean into Jesus’ promises and speak them into your life. Draw examples from everyday life: a child with anxiety, a marriage in difficulty, a prodigal who needs direction. Practice “speaking the word” by naming promises, praying scripture aloud, and acting in alignment with God’s authority—let God’s truth guide decisions rather than fear. Also consider how we measure authority—humility versus control. Trust that God’s sovereignty can mobilize resources beyond our understanding, including support from unlikely sources.
Cross-References: Mark 2:9-11; Luke 7:7-9; John 6:63; Romans 4:17; Hebrews 11:3