Matthew8
New King James Version
1When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.
2And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,
6saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
7And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8The 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.
9For 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.”
10When 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!
11And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
12But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
14Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.
15So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.
16When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”
18And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.
19Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”
20And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
21Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
22But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
23Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
24And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
25Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
26But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
28When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.
29And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
30Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.
31So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”
32And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.
33Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
34And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 8.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Multitudes follow Christ. (1). He heals a leper. (2–4). A centurion's servant healed. (5–13). Cure of Peter's wife's mother. (14–17). The scribe's zealous proposal. (18–22). Christ in a storm. (23–27). He heals two possessed with devils. (28–34).
v1
This verse refers to the close of the foregoing sermon. Those to whom Christ has made himself known, desire to know more of him.
vv2-4
In these verses we have an account of Christ's cleansing a leper, who came and worshipped him, as one clothed with Divine power. This cleansing directs us, not only to apply to Christ, who has power over bodily diseases, for the cure of them, but it also teaches us in what manner to apply to him. When we cannot be sure of God's will, we may be sure of his wisdom and mercy. No guilt is so great, but there is that in Christ's blood which atones for it; no corruption so strong, but there is that in his grace which can subdue it. To be made clean we must commend ourselves to his pity; we cannot demand it as a debt, but we must humbly request it as a favour. Those who by faith apply to Christ for mercy and grace, may be sure that he is freely willing to give them the mercy and grace they thus seek. And those afflictions are blessed that bring us to know Christ, and cause us to seek help and salvation from him. Let those who are cleansed from their spiritual leprosy, go to Christ's ministers and open their case, that they may advise, comfort, and pray for them.
vv5-13
This centurion was a heathen, a Roman soldier. Though he was a soldier, yet he was a godly man. No man's calling or place will be an excuse for unbelief and sin. See how he states his servant's case. We should concern ourselves for the souls of our children and servants, who are spiritually sick, who feel not spiritual evils, who know not that which is spiritually good; and we should bring them to Christ by faith and prayers. Observe his self-abasement. Humble souls are made more humble by Christ's gracious dealings with them. Observe his great faith. The more diffident we are of ourselves, the stronger will be our confidence in Christ. Herein the centurion owns him to have Divine power, and a full command of all the creatures and powers of nature, as a master over his servants. Such servants we all should be to God; we must go and come, according to the directions of his word and the disposals of his providence. But when the Son of man comes he finds little faith, therefore he finds little fruit. An outward profession may cause us to be called children of the kingdom; but if we rest in that, and have nothing else to show, we shall be cast out. The servant got a cure of his disease, and the master got the approval of his faith. What was said to him, is said to all, Believe, and ye shall receive; only believe. See the power of Christ, and the power of faith. The healing of our souls is at once the effect and evidence of our interest in the blood of Christ.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καταβαίνω (katabaínō): to descend (literally or figuratively)
ἀπό (apó): "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ὄρος (óros): perhaps akin to G142 (αἴρω); compare G3733 (ὄρνις)); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)
πολύς (polýs): (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ὄχλος (óchlos): a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
ἀκολουθέω (akolouthéō): properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδού (idoú): used as imperative lo!;
Cross References
Matthew 8Directly quoted in verse 17 to show Christ fulfilling the prophetic portrait of the suffering Servant.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The Mosaic law governing the ceremonial ritual for the cleansing of a healed leper.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The parallel account of the Roman centurion's remarkable faith and his servant's healing.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel apostolic application of Isaiah 53 regarding Christ bearing our infirmities and sins.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The parallel Synoptic account of the cleansing of the outcast leper.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ's authoritative "I will" echoes the sovereign creative fiat in Genesis.
Supported by JFB
The parallel account of the scribe's impulsive offer to follow Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament description of those in ships caught in a tempest, crying to the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The fuller parallel account of the healing of the Gadarene demoniacs.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The miraculous healing of Naaman's leprosy serves as an OT type of cleansing.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophesies Gentiles from east and west worshiping God, matching Jesus' declaration.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms Peter was married, consistent with Christ healing his mother-in-law.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Synoptic parallel concerning the disciple who wished to first bury his father.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Contrasts Jonah sleeping in a storm in flight from God with Christ sleeping in sovereign peace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates that demons believe and tremble, recognizing Christ's authority and future judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry