ἐξουσία
| Strong's # | G1849 |
|---|---|
| Greek Spelling | ἐξουσία |
| Pronunciation | ek-SOO-see-ah |
| Transliteration | Exousia |
| Definition | authority, power, right to act or govern |
Notable Occurences
Matthew 28:18 Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
John 1:12 To those who received Him, He gave the right to become children of God.
Luke 5:24 Jesus says, “The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
Colossians 1:13 God rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.
Insights
The word exousia refers to delegated authority—the legal or rightful power to act. It’s more than raw strength (dynamis); exousia is the official right to command, judge, forgive, or rule. Jesus uses this word to describe His divine authority over all things: nature, demons, sin, even death. It also applies to kings, rulers, and spiritual beings, and in some contexts, it refers to the believer's right and status in Christ. When Jesus said He had been given all authority, He was claiming sovereign power and divine legitimacy to rule heaven and earth.