Jesus' Sevenfold Power And Authority
There are primarily three ways that I read and study through the Gospels:
1) Read them one at a time, focussing on the context and what each passage has to say.
2) Read all four Gospels together, using a Harmony of the Gospels approach. That is where you have each major event side by side with the other Gospels, so you can glean what they all have in common, rounding out a full picture of each sermon, parable, healing, etc. That is a good tool for understanding all about a certain thing that happened or was said in the Gospels. In a lot of ways, we do this on a much smaller scale when we read a passage and then look at all the related cross references.
3) There is also another approach: Reading the Gospels side by side, but seeing where they differ, and making note of how each difference fits the overall approach of each Gospel writer, and what each writer is particularly emphasizing.
For example, Matthew was written to the Jews to present their coming King - who not only is the King of the Jews, but is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. To do that, Matthew starts off with the genealogy of Jesus, showing He was from the line of David, but also going as far back as Abraham, to remind us of the covenants and promises made with the father of God's chosen people about the coming Messiah. We see Jesus' 40 days of temptation in the wilderness, and see how He focussed on the Word of God, wielding this weapon against all that Satan threw at Him. In this Gospel, we see Jesus sending out the Twelve Apostles with full authority, giving them power to preach and to do miracles. We see Him commanding the winds and the waves, and revealing what the future holds in store, not just for Israel, but for the whole world in the endtimes. In it we see more of a focus on Jesus being the Son of David, and how He came to fulfill all prophecy. It ends the Great Commission, to bring the Gospel to the whole world, to make disciples, and leaves us with the promise He is with us until the end of the world.
Mark presents a different picture of Jesus - that of a servant, the Servant of the Lord. Mark is primarily writing to the Romans. He does not focus on Jesus commanding others, but on Jesus doing the Father's will, going from place to place, quickly, no hustle and bustle. No genealogy and just a quick covering of the time of temptation in the wilderness, because a servant does not need credentials. This Gospel shows His compassion on those in need, and is the most fast paced of the four Gospels. Finally, we see the Servant giving His life for us, and rising again the third day.
Luke's emphasis is a little different. It presents Jesus as the perfect Man, the Son of Man. Luke is writing to the Greeks. In it, we see His humanity more clearly, His love and compassion for the weak and outcasts, the Friend of sinners. We see His genealogy going back not just to David, but to Adam and to God, to show us He is God manifest in the flesh. We see His struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see His emphasis on prayer to the Father and dependance upon the Holy Spirit in all that He says and does.
Lastly, there is the Gospel of John, written to Christians. In it, we see the Son of God portrayed, the Messiah come down from Heaven. No genealogies, temptations, or struggles in the Garden (though we do see His soul troubled at the thoughts of His betrayal by Judas and the coming crucifixion). However, we His interactions with His own inner circle on the night He was betrayed, we see how H looked out and cared for them, even knowing what He faced in the coming others. This Gospel ends with Jesus being gloriously resurrected and recommissioning Peter and the other Apostles for the work He has sent them to do.
Of course, these are just highlights that barely scratch the surface of the different focusses for each Gospel, yet it serves the point of showing us that Matthew is the Gospel that presents Jesus as the ultimate authority, the King of Kings. He has all power and authority, and we see that more clearly in Matthew than we do in the other three Gospels.
The Number Seven
There are seven verses that talk about Jesus Christ’s power/authority (Greek: exousia) in the book of Matthew:
Matthew 7:29; 9:6, 8; 21:23, 24, 27; 28:18
1) Matthew 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
2) Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
3) Matthew 9:8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
4) Matthew 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
5) Matthew 21:24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
6) Matthew 21:27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
7) Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
As mentioned in various studies, seven indicates completion, perfection, and is often used to portray a complete range of events or statements. A multiple of seven has the same meaning.
The book of Revelation uses this same Greek word (exousia) for power/authority 21 times, translated several times also as strength, right. Multiple times the verses indicate God gave various individuals, creatures, and angels the authority to do certain things. See John 19:11.
1-14) See Revelation 2:26; 6:8; 9:3, 10, 19; 11:6; 13:5, 7; 14:18; 16:9; 17:12; 18:1. (Revelation 9:3 and 11:6 use this word twice each.)
15-17) Also, Revelation 12:10; 20:6; 22:14 (compare John 1:12).
18-21) See Revelation 13:2, 4, 12; 17:13.
All that happens even during the tribulation period is according to God’s timetable and fully in His control. Even when the Dragon or the nations give their power to the Antichrist, God is still in control, and they can only act at God's discretion and sovereign will. They do not have free reign. Like Luther said, Satan is God's dog. The Devil and the Antichrist, though given rule over the earth for seven years, are still under God's authority and can only go as far as He allows them (like Job 1:12; 2:6 and Luke 22:31-32 clearly show.)
Our response to God’s authority should be greater faith and trust in the Lord. See Matthew 8:5-13.
Two or three witnesses establish the truth of what is declared.
One other thing I noticed about Jesus Christ's authority in the Gospel of Matthew was that there are seven specific places in his Gospel that show multiple occasions of two witnesses at certain healings or events. The other Gospels often have only one witness at the same healings - for example, the blind man healed in Mark 10:46-52, but we see two blind men in Matthew, because he is establishing Jesus' Kingly authority. This principle of two or three witnesses to establish the truth is seen throughout both the Old and New Testaments:
Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Matthew contains seven separate accounts of two witnesses to Jesus' miracles and teachings. (Notice, these are passages that actually use the number two.)
1) The calling of Peter and Andrew - Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
2) The calling of James and John - Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
3) The healing of two possessed men - Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
4) The healing of two blind men - Matthew 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
5) Two witnesses sent from John the Baptist to confirm that Jesus is the Messiah - Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
6) Two other blind men healed later by Jesus - Matthew 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
7) Two disciples sent to make sure the upper room was ready for the Passover Supper - Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
The Number Six
In contrast with Matthew, we see Luke presenting Jesus as the Son of Man. Six is the number of man - created on the sixth day. We see this number portrayed symbolically in various places. Consider the following example:
The phrase “Son of God” is used 7x’s in the Gospel of Luke; however, it is only used six times for Jesus, and once for Adam.
6x’s for Jesus: Luke 1:35; 4:3, 9, 41; 8:28; 22:70
1x for Adam: Luke 3:38
1) Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
2) Luke 4:36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
3) Luke 5:24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
4) Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
5) Luke 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
6) Luke 20:8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
We also see six occasions where two witnesses are mentioned in Luke (again seven references to two witnesses in six verses), in contrast to Matthew's seven accounts of two witnesses:
1) Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
2) Luke 9:30, 32 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:... But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
3) Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
4) Luke 19:29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
5) Luke 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
6) Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
Both Luke and Matthew refer to the two thieves crucified with Jesus, but these are not included in either count because their witness does not agree together. One trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, the other did not.
One other fact worth noting: Though these examples given and the numbers of them fit each Gospel according to the overall theme that author is presenting, I find it intriguing that they do not cover the exact same events. Luke gives some different occasions than Matthew (for example one Gospel writer refers to the two disciples making sure the Passover supper is ready and the other writer shows there were two disciples sent to get the donkey that Jesus was to ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday) - but taken together they still fully present the life of the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
September 5th, 2026
Jerry Bouey
*For clarification: When a multiple of a number is used, it has the same meaning as the original number. For example, seven means perfection, completion, and is God's stamp on His Word. A multiple of seven has the same meaning, sometimes heightening or magnifying it, but the same underlying meaning. So 14, 21, 70, 490, etc. all have the same symbolic meaning in the Scriptures. There are so many sevens in the Bible, but you will often find many passages where a multiple of seven is used as well. Like here.
