He understood authority.

1. For 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.
   • Authority = Gk. Exousia (x-su-see-uh) - power of choice, liberty and ability of doing as one pleases. The concept of authority refers to the power, ability, or capability to complete an action. The centurion makes a keen comparison between his military position and the spiritual position of Jesu s and his Father. He had superiors from whom he was given authority. He recognizes that Jesus has all authority.

Matthew 7:28 - 29 (KJV) 28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Job 42:1 - 2 (NLT)--1Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.

Matthew 28:18 --And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Mark 1:27-- They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

Philippians 2:3 - 11 (NLT)

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.