Matthew 8:9

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, This incident belongs to a later stage. For the exposition, see the notes at Luke 7:1....

Matthew 8:9._For I am a man subject to the power of another _This comparison does not imply equality between the two cases, but is taken from the less to the greater. He forms a higher conception of the divine power, which is manifested in Christ, than of the authority which was possessed by himself over servants and soldiers....

5-13 This centurion was a heathen, a Roman soldier. Though he was a soldier, yet he was a godly man. No man's calling or place will be an excuse for unbelief and sin. See how he states his servant's case. We should concern ourselves for the souls of our children and servants, who are spiritually sick, who feel not spiritual evils, who know not that which is spiritually good; and we should bring them to Christ by faith and prayers. Observe his self-abasement. Humble souls are made more humble by Christ's gracious dealings with them. Observe his great faith. The more diffident we are of ourselves, the stronger will be our confidence in Christ. Herein the centurion owns him to have Divine power, and a full command of all the creatures and powers of nature, as a master over his servants. Such servants we all should be to God; we must go and come, according to the directions of his word and...

Verse Matthew 8:9. _FOR I AM A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY_] That is, _under the_ _authority of others_. This verse has given considerable embarrassment to commentators and critics. I believe the paraphrase given above to be the true meaning of the evangelist. To make this matter more plain, let it be observed, that the Roman _foot_ was divided into three grand parts, _Hastati, Principes_, and _Triarii_. Each of these grand divisions was composed of thirty _manipuli_ or _companies_; and every _manipulus_ made two _centuries_ or companies of _one hundred men_. Every manipulus had two _centurions_; but these were very far from being _equal_ in rank and honour, though possessing the very same office. The _Triarii_ and _Principes_ were esteemed the most honourable, and had their _centurions_ elected first; and these first el...

I AM A MAN ... - He had full confidence in the ability of Jesus to heal his servant, and requested him simply to give the command. This request he presented in a manner appropriate to a soldier. I am a man, says he, under authority. That is, I am subject to the commands of others, and know how to obey. I have also under me soldiers who are accustomed to obedience. I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes. I am “prepared,” therefore, to believe that your commands will be obeyed. As these obey me, so do diseases, storms, and seas obey you. If men obey me, who am an “inferior” officer, subject to another, how much more shall diseases obey you - the original source of power having control over all things! He asked, therefore, simply that Christ would give commandment, and he felt assured he would be obeyed....

EXPOSITION MATTHEW 8:1 MESSIAH'S WORK AS COMPLEMENTARY TO HIS TEACHING. We return in this section to matter which resembles that of Mark and Luke, and undoubtedly belongs to the Framework (_vide _Introduction). St. Matthew has given a lengthy summary of the teaching of the Christ, and he now supplements it by a summary of his daily work. He is not concerned with the chronological connexion of the incidents here narrated, for this is evidently to him a matter of but secondary importance. He only desires to bring out different aspects of the Lord's life. Thus he notices— 1. Christ's miracles of healing, and the secret of his ability to perform them (verses 1-17). 2. The personal t

FOR I AM A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY,.... Of Caesar the Roman emperor, and of superior officers under him, as a tribune, c. HAVING SOLDIERS UNDER ME an hundred of them at least, for military service, and some of them were used by him as his domestics: AND I SAY UNTO THIS MAN GO, AND HE GOETH, AND TO ANOTHER COME, AND HE COMETH: for there is no disputing the commands of officers, by soldiers, in anything, in exercises, marches, battles, c. AND TO MY SERVANT, that was more properly his domestic servant, who waited upon him, and did those things for him which every soldier under him was not employed in, DO THIS, AND HE DOTH IT immediately, without any more ado; as indeed a servant ought. The Jews l have a saying, that "a servant over whom his master אין רשות, "hath no power", is not called a servant.'' Now, these words are not a reason excusing Christ's coming to his house, or sho

Matthew 8:1. _When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him._ There was a charm about his preaching, not that he modified his doctrine, or that he cut down his precepts; he spoke very plainly, very searchingly, and yet the people came to hear him. There is a something in the conscience of man that makes him turn away from that which flatters him, and makes him hear, almost against his liking, that which searches him. Matthew 8:2. _And, behold,_ Never mind about the crowd; fix your eye on the one man; behold, etc. here is a mark of attention. Matthew 8:2. _There came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean._...

6. THE KING MANIFESTED BY SIGNS OF DIVINE POWER. Chapter s 8-9. CHAPTER 8 1. The Healing of the Leper. (Matthew 8:1 .) 2. The Healing of the Centurion's Servant. (Matthew 8:5 .) 3. The Healing of Peter's Wife's Mother.(Matthew 8:14 .) 4. The Healing of All. (Matthew 8:16 .) 5. The Self-seeking Scribe and the Test of True Discipleship.(Matthew 8:18 .) 6. His Power over Nature. (Matthew 8:23 .) 7. His Power over the Demons. ...

THE CENTURION'S SERVANT (Luke 7:1; Luke 13:28 f.; _cf._ John 4:46 to John 5:3). Lk.'s version immediately follows his account of the sermon; probably it was so in Q. Mt. (_cf._ Jn.) may have understood _pais_ to mean son, not servant. Note his use of _doulos_ (slave, _cf. mg.)_ in Matthew 8:9. MATTHEW 8:7_ B_ should be read as a question. The centurion in reply admits his nnworthiness....