exousia

What it means

The right or power to act, often given by someone higher. Matthew comes back to it: Jesus teaches with authority (7:29), forgives sins with it (9:6), gives it to the twelve (10:1), and at the end says "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (28:18).

Range of meaning

• Right to actPermission or freedom to do something.
• PowerThe ability to make things happen.
• RuleAuthority over others, or the people who hold it.

In Matthew

• Chapter 7

  He taught "as one who had authority" (7:29).

• Chapter 8

  The centurion: "I too am a man under authority" (8:9).

• Chapter 9

  Authority to forgive sins, given "to men" (9:6, 9:8).

• Chapter 10

  Jesus gives them authority over unclean spirits and disease (10:1).

• Chapter 21

  "By what authority do you do these things?" (21:23-27).

• Chapter 28

  "All authority has been given to me" (28:18).