Luke 7 8

Luke 7:8 kjv

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.

Luke 7:8 nkjv

For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And 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."

Luke 7:8 niv

For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

Luke 7:8 esv

For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and 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."

Luke 7:8 nlt

I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it."

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 8 Meaning

This verse conveys the Roman centurion's profound understanding of authority, using his own military experience as an analogy to explain why Jesus did not need to be physically present to heal his servant. He recognized that true authority operates through word and command, whether it's his word ordering a soldier or Jesus' divine word commanding healing. He understands that Jesus possesses a transcendent authority that acts simply by speaking.

Luke 7 8 Context

Luke chapter 7 begins with a Roman centurion sending Jewish elders to Jesus, pleading for healing for his beloved servant who was dying. Initially, the elders emphasize the centurion's worthiness due to his benevolence towards the Jewish community (he built their synagogue). However, as Jesus approaches his house, the centurion sends friends with a different message: he himself feels unworthy for Jesus to enter his home and simply asks for Jesus to speak the word of healing from where He is. Verse 8, "For I also am a man set under authority, having soldiers under me: 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," is the centurion's explanation of why he believes Jesus' physical presence isn't necessary. He uses his understanding of military command structure, where orders are given and obeyed based on authority, to infer Jesus' greater spiritual authority. Historically, Roman centurions were highly disciplined, pragmatic, and held considerable power over their troops, yet were always ultimately answerable to higher command. This chain-of-command experience shaped his unique insight into Jesus' authority, contrasting sharply with typical Jewish expectations that healing required direct touch or presence.

Luke 7 8 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): A conjunction signifying "because" or "for this reason." It introduces the explanation for the centurion's preceding statement (that Jesus need not enter his house).
• I also (καὶ γὰρ ἐγώ - kai gar egō): "I too" or "even I." The addition of kai ("even/also") makes the statement emphatic, suggesting that his understanding of authority, though from a lower position, is profound enough for him to grasp Jesus' unique power.
• man (ἄνθρωπος - anthrōpos): Simply "a human being." This distinguishes his delegated human authority from Jesus' divine, intrinsic authority, highlighting his humble comparison while making his point clear.
• set under authority (ὑπὸ ἐξουσίαν τασσόμενος - hypo exousian tassomenos):
  • hypo exousian: "under authority." This indicates submission to a superior power, recognizing a chain of command.
  • tassomenos: A present participle meaning "being ordered," "being arranged," "placed under." It speaks to a current, ongoing state of being subject to a higher command. This is crucial; his ability to command stems from his position under authority.
• having soldiers under me (ἔχων ὑπ' ἐμαυτὸν στρατιώτας - echōn hyp' emauton stratiōtas): This phrase highlights the complementary aspect of his position: while under authority, he exercises authority over others. He grasps both aspects of a hierarchical structure. hyp' emauton means "under myself."
• 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: This triple example concretely illustrates the immediate and effective power of his spoken command due to his established authority. The immediacy ("he goeth," "he cometh," "he doeth it") emphasizes the absolute obedience of his subordinates to his mere word.

Words-group analysis

• I also am a man set under authority, having soldiers under me: This phrase forms the core of the centurion's analogy. It reveals his deep, experiential understanding of military command structure. He is both a subordinate and a superior, enabling him to understand both obedience and command. This is not about human pride, but about understanding a system of power and delegation that reflects, on a human scale, the divine chain of authority. He is humbly acknowledging his own place within a delegated system of power.
• 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: This specific and powerful set of examples illustrates the efficacy of delegated authority through simple verbal command. The immediacy of the soldiers' and servant's obedience serves as a perfect parallel to what he expects from Jesus: a command, a word, is sufficient to bring about the desired result. This demonstrates a faith that does not rely on rituals or physical proximity, but on the inherent power of the one giving the command. He perceives Jesus as operating under (divine) authority from which His own commands draw power and guaranteed outcome.

Luke 7 8 Bonus section

The centurion's statement also carries a subtle but significant polemical undertone against the contemporary Jewish worldview which often tied healing and blessings to ritualistic purity, physical presence, or specific acts. By asserting that a mere word from Jesus would suffice, the centurion dismisses such perceived limitations and elevates Jesus' authority to a divine plane. This underscores a theme throughout the Gospels: true faith often appears in unexpected places and surpasses the expectations of the religiously observant. His humility in not deeming himself worthy for Jesus to enter his home, combined with his high view of Jesus' authority, illustrates a beautiful synergy of reverence and profound belief in Christ's singular power.

Luke 7 8 Commentary

Luke 7:8 showcases the centurion's unparalleled faith and theological insight, which astonished Jesus Himself (Luke 7:9). His understanding of authority transcends simple military rank; he perceives a spiritual chain of command where Jesus’ word carries inherent power, akin to God speaking creation into existence (Ps 33:9, Gen 1:3). Unlike many of Jesus' contemporaries, who might have expected physical touch or proximity for healing, the centurion grasps that Jesus' divine authority, like his own delegated authority, renders physical presence unnecessary for His commands to be effective. This insight is not only a profound declaration of faith in Jesus' unique person and power but also an indirect challenge to any limiting human views of divine intervention. It highlights that the power of Christ operates through His word, which can heal from a distance, forgive sins, and cast out demons. The centurion, a Gentile, demonstrated a spiritual discernment greater than many in Israel at that time, symbolizing the future inclusion of Gentiles into the family of faith, understanding Christ's supreme and transcendent authority without traditional prerequisites.