Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 7:29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:29 for He was teaching them as one who had authority [to teach entirely of His own volition], and not as their scribes [who relied on others to confirm their authority]. |
Bible Question:
I ask this question as one who believes that Jesus is known in the Scriptures as a Man who came in the likeness of men, but was God among us. Matthew 7:29 reads this way, with the word "one" in italics showing that it is not in the Greek; "for He was teaching them as [one] having authority, and not as their scribes." My question concerns Matthew 8:9, "For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me..." Was this centurion regarding Jesus as a man, just like him? For he had just told Jesus that he was not worthy to have Him under his roof. Thus, I would say that the centurian viewed Jesus as being under authority or as having authority just as he did, for he said that he has soldiers under him who obey his commands. The centurian knew that Jesus had authority and was more than just a man. My question to people knowledgeable about Greek, is about the acceptability of this, my interpretation: Matthew 8:9, "For I am a man who is also under authority, with soldiers under me; and 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." See John 9:33, NKJ From the heart, Ray |
Bible Answer: Greetings, Ray! My Bible Reader's Companion has this to say about the passage: “Authority” is exousia, and means “freedom of action.” The greater authority a person has, the less others can limit his freedom of action. The centurion’s remark that he was a “man under authority” conveyed the fact that he derived his authority to command his soldiers from a source, Caesar, whose freedom to command those in the empire was unlimited. His affirmation was a statement of faith: his belief that Jesus acted under and with the full authority of God, and thus that distance from his suffering servant could not limit His power to heal. It was this total confidence in Jesus that Christ commends (v. 10)—in centurions, and in you and me. Barnes' Notes on the New Testament says: 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. The 365-Day Devotional Commentary says: “I myself am a man under authority” Matt. 8:9–13. There is more in the story of the centurion for us. He felt unworthy to entertain Jesus under his roof. But he also knew that Jesus’ authority over sickness was not limited by distance. When he said, “I myself am a man under authority,” the centurion meant that his authority in the Roman army did not depend on him, but was granted him by his commanders in a chain leading ultimately to the Emperor himself. The centurion’s orders were obeyed because the full weight of mighty Rome lay behind each command. In asking Jesus to “just say the word,” and in affirming his faith that “my servant will be healed,” the centurion confessed his belief that Christ too was one “under authority.” When Jesus spoke, the full weight of God’s sovereign power was available to enforce Christ’s decree. The centurion’s faith was honored. Christ did speak the word, and the power of God, which neither distance nor evil forces can limit, flowed. Let’s remember the centurion’s faith when we pray. Jesus has the power to meet any and every need. And finally, Word Pictures in the New Testament says: For I also am a man under authority (kai gar ego anthropos hupo exousian). “Also” is in the text, though the 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 (8:8), say the word, and it would be done. Hope this helps! Peace, --Cheryl |
Up | Down View Branch | ID# 44716 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 7:29 | Author | ||
|
Ray | ||
|
LuckyCharm | ||
|
Ray | ||
|
jlpangilinan |