Luke 7:8

8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command.^[a] I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."

Luke 7:8 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 7:8

For I also am a man set under authority
Of the Roman senate; "or belonging to the emperor", as the Arabic version renders it; and under the command of a tribune, as a centurion was: so that this is not an amplification, but a diminution of his office; and his sense is, that even he who was but an inferior officer, yet had such power as after related:

having under me soldiers;
an hundred, or more:

and I say unto one, go, and he goeth, and to another, come, and he
cometh, and to my servant, do this, and he doth it;
as this his servant used to do, and whom he may intend, who now lay sick, and therefore was dear unto him. His meaning is, that Christ could as easily command, and call off a distemper, add it would obey him, as he could command obedience from his soldiers and servant, and have it, and more so.

Luke 7:8 In-Context

6 Jesus went with them, and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell Him, "Lord, don't trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.

7 That is why I didn't even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured.

8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes; and to another, 'Come!' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it."

9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, "I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!"

10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit under me