Matthew8
New Living Translation
1Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside.
2Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”
3Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
4Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
5When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him,
6“Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”
7Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.”
8But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.
9I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”
10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!
11And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.
12But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
14When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever.
15But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.
16That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.
17This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”
18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.
19Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”
21Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
22But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.”
23Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples.
24Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
25The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
27The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
28When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They came out of the tombs and were so violent that no one could go through that area.
29They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?”
30There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance.
31So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”
32“All right, go!” Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
33The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men.
34Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone.
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