Matthew 8:9

For I also am a man under authority (kai gar egw anqrwpo upo exousian). "Also" is in the text, though the kai here may mean "even," even I in my subordinate position have soldiers under me. As a military man he had learned obedience to his superiors and so expected obedience to his commands, instant obedience (aorist imperatives and aoristic present indicatives). Hence his faith in Christ's power over the illness of the boy even without coming. Jesus had only to speak with a word ( Acts 8:8 ), say the word, and it would be done.