Matthew 8:9 (DRB)

Passage

For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Nearby Context

Matthew 8:7 And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him.

Matthew 8:8 And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

Matthew 8:9 For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

Matthew 8:10 And Jesus hearing this, marvelled; and said to them that followed him. Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel.

Matthew 8:11 And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven:

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "subject", "authority", "having", "under", "soldiers", "goeth", "another", and "come". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "subject" and "authority", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 8's "And the centurion making answer said Lord..." into verse 10's "And Jesus hearing this marvelled and said...", so "subject" and "authority" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "subject" and "authority" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.