Did Jesus tacitly accept the Roman Centurion’s statement on his ALSO being under authority?

Question

When the Roman Centurion said that he was also under authority, did Jesus accept his statement as truth since he, Jesus, did not contradict him?

Matthew 8:8-10 American Standard Version 9 For I also am a man 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.

Matthew 8:8-10 Christian Standard Bible 9 For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. 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.”

Was this the same authority that the crowds recognized that Jesus possessed when he healed a crippled man?

John 5:26-27 New International Version 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

and the same authority that God gave Jesus to judge?

John 5:26-27 New International Version 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

What does the giving of authority show about the relationship of Jesus with His Father?

RESEARCH

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible 8:9 a man under authority. The centurion understands how authority works: just as soldiers obey the centurion because he is backed by the authority of the empire, everything will obey Jesus because he is backed by God’s authority (cf. 9:6,8; 28:18).

NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible 5:26–27 These verses explain how the Son can (1) generate resurrection life by his powerful word and (2) exercise divine judgment (vv. 21–25): the Father authorized him to do both.

Matthew 28:18 New International Version 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition 28:18 All authority. See 11:27; John 3:35. Absolute sovereign authority—lordship over all—is handed to Christ, “in heaven and on earth.” This is clear proof of His deity. The time of His humiliation was at an end, and God had exalted Him above all (Phil. 2:9–11). (see Scriptures below)

Matthew 28:18 New International Version 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 11:27 New International Version 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

John 3:35 New International Version 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

Answer 1

Short Answer: I would say that Jesus did accept his statement as true. However, they were under different authorities. Jesus was under the authority of the Father, and the centurion was under Roman authority. That being said, I believe that the centurion recognized Jesus' authority.

Matthew 8:8-10 NKJV

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers 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.”

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

What did the centurion believe?

1. Lord

The centurion's reference to Jesus as "Lord" provides insight into his perception of Jesus. In Greek culture, "kurios" was employed to denote a master or owner, to reference God or gods, and as a title for someone sovereign, a prince, chief, or the Roman emperor. It is a title of honor, expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants salute their master.

It is significant to note that a Roman centurion, an officer in the Roman army overseeing and administrating Israel during this period, referred to Jesus, a Jewish man, as "Lord." In other words, he exhibited great submission. It seems to perhaps imply recognition of Jesus in terms of mastery, ownership, or supreme authority.

2. only speak a word

By comparing his own authority over soldiers to Jesus' authority over sickness and demons, it seems clear that the centurion recognized Jesus' divine authority.

3. be healed

The centurion clearly believed that Jesus had the power and authority to heal, an authority that the centurion did not possess himself; if he did, why ask Jesus?

4. such great faith

It was an act of faith. Faith so great that Jesus had not found it in Israel.

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What authority did Jesus have?

Matthew 28:18 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

What authority did the centurion have?

The Centurion was responsible for the well-being and training of all of the soldiers in his century. This included setting watches, assigning work, and making sure his troops got their share of supplies from the camp quartermaster. A Centurion also led his troops in battle and was responsible for giving them courage.

Conclusion:

All means all. No one else had the same authority that Jesus did. Only he had it all. The Roman centurion had authority, but Jesus had divine authority. The centurion was a soldier, not a judge, but Jesus had all authority, including the right to judge.

Answer 2

You’re overthinking the simplicity of the scenario. Jesus told the centurion that he would come with him, but the centurion was content to take his word that what he said would be done would be done. He himself was a man who received orders from a superior, and was himself a superior to others. In his own world, when he commands someone, or is commanded by someone above him, that command is carried out. It doesn’t require the one issuing the command to follow or verify. The one giving the command expects that what is commanded will be performed. Ergo, “You don’t need to come. If you command the sickness, over which you have authority, I expect it to obey, just as I obey my superiors, and just as my subordinates obey me.”