New Testament
Matthew 8:9
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For I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.
Compare translations
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.
What Matthew 8:9 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, a centurion expresses his understanding of authority. He compares his own position, where he commands soldiers and they obey, to the authority of Jesus. The centurion recognizes that Jesus has the power to heal from a distance, just as he can command his soldiers without being physically present. This highlights the concept of faith and the belief that Jesus' authority extends beyond physical limitations. The centurion's faith in Jesus' ability to heal his servant without being there in person demonstrates a deep understanding of spiritual authority and trust in Jesus' power. It shows that true faith does not require physical evidence but is rooted in the belief in Jesus' divine authority and capability.
How to apply Matthew 8:9 to your life
We can learn from the centurion's faith by trusting in Jesus' authority in our lives. Even when we cannot see immediate results, we should believe that He can work in our situations. This encourages us to have faith in His power and to act in obedience to His commands.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: The Centurion's Faith (Matthew 8:5–13)
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Bethlehem
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At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 8:9 mean?
Matthew 8:9 shows a centurion expressing his understanding of authority. He compares his ability to command soldiers to Jesus' power to heal, indicating that he believes Jesus can heal his servant from a distance.
What is the meaning of authority in Matthew 8:9?
In Matthew 8:9, authority refers to the power to command and be obeyed. The centurion illustrates this by explaining how his soldiers follow his orders, paralleling his recognition of Jesus' divine authority to heal.
How does Matthew 8:9 relate to faith?
Matthew 8:9 relates to faith by showing that true belief does not require physical evidence. The centurion's faith in Jesus' authority to heal from afar exemplifies a deep spiritual trust.
What can we learn from Matthew 8:9?
From Matthew 8:9, we learn the importance of trusting in Jesus' authority in our lives. It encourages us to have faith in His power, even when we cannot see immediate results.
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