Luke 7:8 - For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 7:8" mean?
This verse is part of the story of the Roman Centurion in Luke 7:1-10. The Centurion, a Gentile, asks Jesus to heal his servant who is near death. He sends Jewish elders to plead his case. However, as Jesus approaches his house, the Centurion sends friends to tell Jesus not to trouble himself to come to his house. He explains the reason for this with the famous words of Luke 7:8.
Here's what that verse means, broken down:
"For I also am a man placed under authority..." This is the key. The Centurion acknowledges that he is not at the top of the chain of command. He is subject to the authority of his superiors in the Roman army. He understands the structure of authority very well.
"...having under myself soldiers." He is also in a position of authority. He has soldiers who are under his command and who obey him.
"I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it." This is the illustration. He explains how authority works. Because he is under authority, he has authority. His soldiers obey him without question. He simply gives the command, and it is done.
What is the Centurion trying to convey to Jesus?
The Centurion is not saying he is equal to Jesus. Instead, he is expressing a profound understanding of:
Jesus' Power and Authority: He recognizes that Jesus possesses a form of authority much greater than his own. He understands that Jesus doesn't need to physically be present to heal. Just as the Centurion's words command his soldiers, Jesus' word can command healing from a distance.
Faith: He is demonstrating immense faith in Jesus' power. He believes that Jesus only needs to speak the word and his servant will be healed. He doesn't require Jesus to come to his house or even see his servant.
Humility: He recognizes his own unworthiness to have Jesus enter his home, likely because he is a Gentile and Jesus is Jewish.
The Significance:
Jesus is amazed by the Centurion's faith. Jesus says, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." (Luke 7:9). The Centurion's words highlight the power of faith and the universality of Jesus' ministry. It shows that even a Gentile, by recognizing Jesus' authority, can receive healing. This episode is often interpreted as foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom.
In essence, the Centurion used his experience with military authority to illustrate his profound faith in Jesus's divine authority and ability to heal from afar. He recognized that Jesus' power, like the Centurion's own, came from a higher source and could be exercised even without physical presence.
Luke 7:8 - For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
What does "Luke 7:8" mean?
This verse is part of the story of the Roman Centurion in Luke 7:1-10. The Centurion, a Gentile, asks Jesus to heal his servant who is near death. He sends Jewish elders to plead his case. However, as Jesus approaches his house, the Centurion sends friends to tell Jesus not to trouble himself to come to his house. He explains the reason for this with the famous words of Luke 7:8.
Here's what that verse means, broken down:
"For I also am a man placed under authority..." This is the key. The Centurion acknowledges that he is not at the top of the chain of command. He is subject to the authority of his superiors in the Roman army. He understands the structure of authority very well.
"...having under myself soldiers." He is also in a position of authority. He has soldiers who are under his command and who obey him.
"I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it." This is the illustration. He explains how authority works. Because he is under authority, he has authority. His soldiers obey him without question. He simply gives the command, and it is done.
What is the Centurion trying to convey to Jesus?
The Centurion is not saying he is equal to Jesus. Instead, he is expressing a profound understanding of:
Jesus' Power and Authority: He recognizes that Jesus possesses a form of authority much greater than his own. He understands that Jesus doesn't need to physically be present to heal. Just as the Centurion's words command his soldiers, Jesus' word can command healing from a distance.
Faith: He is demonstrating immense faith in Jesus' power. He believes that Jesus only needs to speak the word and his servant will be healed. He doesn't require Jesus to come to his house or even see his servant.
Humility: He recognizes his own unworthiness to have Jesus enter his home, likely because he is a Gentile and Jesus is Jewish.
The Significance:
Jesus is amazed by the Centurion's faith. Jesus says, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." (Luke 7:9). The Centurion's words highlight the power of faith and the universality of Jesus' ministry. It shows that even a Gentile, by recognizing Jesus' authority, can receive healing. This episode is often interpreted as foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom.
In essence, the Centurion used his experience with military authority to illustrate his profound faith in Jesus's divine authority and ability to heal from afar. He recognized that Jesus' power, like the Centurion's own, came from a higher source and could be exercised even without physical presence.