Luke 7:8
What does Luke 7:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 7:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 7:8 means
To illustrate his faith, the centurion drew a parallel from his own military experience. He, a man under authority, also exercised authority over his soldiers and servant, expecting immediate obedience to his commands. He understood that Jesus, by analogy, possessed a superior, unquestionable authority over sickness and disease, needing only to speak the word for healing to occur. This insight revealed a sophisticated grasp of divine power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For I also am a man set under authority, having under myself soldiers: and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For I, myself, am a man under authority, having men under me; and I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers, and I say to this <FI>one<Fi> , Go, and he goeth; and to another, Be coming, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doth <FI>it<Fi> .'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers: and I say to one, Go, and he goeth: and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers, and I say to this [one], Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bondman, Do this, and he does [it].
Context
This verse provides the reasoning behind the centurion's audacious request for Jesus to 'say the word.' His analogy from military command structure illuminates his understanding of Jesus' spiritual authority, preparing the reader for Jesus' amazed reaction to such insight and the subsequent healing of the servant.
v.7wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say the word, and my servant shall be healed.
v.8This passage
v.9And when Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned and said unto the multitude that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 23:23
And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:
- Acts 25:26
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.
- Acts 23:17
And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.
- Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:
- Acts 22:25
And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
- Acts 24:23
And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
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