When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
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.
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Matthew 8 presents a powerful display of Jesus' authority, moving from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-2) to a series of dramatic events showcasing His dominion over disease, demons, and nature itself. This chapter, along with the subsequent ones leading up to chapter 11, focuses on Jesus' miracles, revealing His identity and validating the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Understanding Matthew 8 is crucial for grasping the breadth of Jesus' power and the call to true discipleship.
Cleansing a Leper (Matthew 8:1-4)
As Jesus came down from the mountain, a man afflicted with a skin disease approached Him. The Greek term used here encompasses a variety of conditions, not just what we now call leprosy. This man, ostracized from society and considered ceremonially unclean, displayed remarkable faith and humility. Kneeling before Jesus, he declared, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" (Matthew 8:2).
This encounter highlights several important truths. First, it demonstrates the devastating social and spiritual consequences of the disease. Second, the leper's statement acknowledges Jesus' ability to heal but doesn't presume upon Him. "If you are willing" suggests that God is sovereign and decides what He will and won’t do. He is not required to do your bidding. Jesus responded, "I am willing; be made clean" (Matthew 8:3). He touched the man, defying societal norms and ceremonial law. Immediately, the man was healed.
Jesus then instructed the man to go to the priest to be declared clean, fulfilling the requirements of the law, and to tell no one. This emphasizes obedience to the established order and prevents the miracle from becoming a mere spectacle.
The Centurion's Faith (Matthew 8:5-13)
In Capernaum, a Roman centurion sent messengers to Jesus, pleading for the healing of his paralyzed and suffering servant. A centurion was a military officer in command of a large number of soldiers. The centurion, a Gentile, expressed extraordinary faith. He acknowledged his unworthiness to have Jesus enter his home, explaining that Jesus only needed to speak the word for his servant to be healed (Matthew 8:8).
The centurion understood authority. He knew that his soldiers obeyed his commands without his physical presence. He recognized that Jesus possessed similar authority over sickness and disease. Jesus marveled at the centurion's faith, declaring that He had not found such great faith in all of Israel (Matthew 8:10). This highlights that faith, not ethnicity, is the key to experiencing God's power.
Jesus then prophesied that many Gentiles would come from east and west and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11), while some "sons of the kingdom" (referring to those who should have known better) would be cast into outer darkness (Matthew 8:12). This "outer darkness" is a picture of profound regret due to loss of rewards at the judgment seat of Christ because of unfaithfulness. The context determines whether this phrase is referring to believers or to unbelievers. Jesus spoke the word, and the servant was healed instantly (Matthew 8:13).
The centurion's faith wasn't rooted in his social standing or religious background, but in his understanding of Jesus' authority. Great faith comes when we truly understand the greatness of the object of our faith.
Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law and Others (Matthew 8:14-17)
Next, Jesus went to Peter's house and healed Peter's mother-in-law, who was sick with a fever. With a mere touch, the fever left her, and she immediately began to serve Him (Matthew 8:15). Her immediate response of service demonstrates the natural outflow of experiencing God's grace.
That evening, many people were brought to Jesus, and He healed all who were sick and cast out demons (Matthew 8:16). Matthew connects this to Isaiah 53:4, stating that Jesus "took up our infirmities and bore our diseases" (Matthew 8:17). This fulfills prophecy and demonstrates Jesus' compassion and power over all forms of suffering. Jesus’s healing ministry, then, validated prophecy regarding the Messiah.
It's important to remember that Jesus' ability to heal doesn't guarantee all healing in this life. We still face sickness and death. However, it allows for the possibility of healing. Moreover, because of his death on the cross, sickness, pain, and death will be abolished forever.
The Cost of Following Jesus (Matthew 8:18-22)
As Jesus prepared to cross the Sea of Galilee, two men expressed interest in following Him. The first, a scribe, declared his willingness to follow Jesus wherever He went (Matthew 8:19). Jesus responded that the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). This highlights the potential hardship and lack of comfort in following Christ. Jesus was asking, “Are you sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into? Will you follow me when there’s no Hilton, no Holiday Inn?” Are you committed to him, even when times are hard?
Another man asked to first go and bury his father (Matthew 8:21). This likely meant waiting until his father died and he received his inheritance. Jesus replied, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead" (Matthew 8:22). This seemingly harsh statement emphasizes the urgency of discipleship. It means that those who are spiritually dead should worry about such things. Are you willing to risk discipleship even when it doesn’t fit with your economic plans?
These interactions underscore the commitment and sacrifice required of true disciples. To be a disciple is to be a fully-devoted, verbal and visible follower of Jesus Christ. Following Jesus is not about personal gain or convenience, but about prioritizing Him above all else.
Jesus Calms the Storm (Matthew 8:23-27)
As Jesus and His disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee, a violent storm arose. The waves threatened to capsize the boat, and the disciples, experienced fishermen, were terrified. They woke Jesus, crying out, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" (Matthew 8:25).
Jesus responded by rebuking their lack of faith and then rebuked the wind and the waves, and the storm instantly ceased (Matthew 8:26). The disciples were astonished, asking, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" (Matthew 8:27).
This miracle reveals Jesus' power over nature and the importance of faith in the midst of trials. The storms and trials of life are designed to give you a bigger view of God and a more precise understanding of who Jesus is. The size of your faith is ultimately tied to the size of your God. Jesus used a storm to move his disciples from fear of circumstances to faith in him.
Jesus Heals the Demon-Possessed Men (Matthew 8:28-34)
Upon arriving on the other side of the lake, Jesus encountered two demon-possessed men coming out of the tombs. Demons operate in the realm of death. The demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God and asked if He had come to torment them before the appointed time (Matthew 8:29). Demons, then, clearly know that a day of judgment is coming. But they refuse to live in light of it. People do that too.
The demons begged Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs (Matthew 8:31). Jesus granted their request, and the pigs rushed into the sea and drowned (Matthew 8:32). Pigs were unclean animals, which is likely why the demons chose to be cast into them: demons produce both destruction and death in environments that are unclean.
The townspeople, more concerned about their financial loss than the liberation of the men, begged Jesus to leave their region (Matthew 8:34). This tragic response highlights the danger of prioritizing material possessions over spiritual realities. Financial loss took priority over spiritual gain.
Matthew 8 vividly portrays Jesus' authority over all aspects of life – physical, spiritual, and natural. It challenges us to examine our own faith and commitment to following Him, urging us to prioritize Him above comfort, convenience, and even material possessions.
When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
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.
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Matthew 8 presents a powerful display of Jesus' authority, moving from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-2) to a series of dramatic events showcasing His dominion over disease, demons, and nature itself. This chapter, along with the subsequent ones leading up to chapter 11, focuses on Jesus' miracles, revealing His identity and validating the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Understanding Matthew 8 is crucial for grasping the breadth of Jesus' power and the call to true discipleship.
Cleansing a Leper (Matthew 8:1-4)
As Jesus came down from the mountain, a man afflicted with a skin disease approached Him. The Greek term used here encompasses a variety of conditions, not just what we now call leprosy. This man, ostracized from society and considered ceremonially unclean, displayed remarkable faith and humility. Kneeling before Jesus, he declared, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" (Matthew 8:2).
This encounter highlights several important truths. First, it demonstrates the devastating social and spiritual consequences of the disease. Second, the leper's statement acknowledges Jesus' ability to heal but doesn't presume upon Him. "If you are willing" suggests that God is sovereign and decides what He will and won’t do. He is not required to do your bidding. Jesus responded, "I am willing; be made clean" (Matthew 8:3). He touched the man, defying societal norms and ceremonial law. Immediately, the man was healed.
Jesus then instructed the man to go to the priest to be declared clean, fulfilling the requirements of the law, and to tell no one. This emphasizes obedience to the established order and prevents the miracle from becoming a mere spectacle.
The Centurion's Faith (Matthew 8:5-13)
In Capernaum, a Roman centurion sent messengers to Jesus, pleading for the healing of his paralyzed and suffering servant. A centurion was a military officer in command of a large number of soldiers. The centurion, a Gentile, expressed extraordinary faith. He acknowledged his unworthiness to have Jesus enter his home, explaining that Jesus only needed to speak the word for his servant to be healed (Matthew 8:8).
The centurion understood authority. He knew that his soldiers obeyed his commands without his physical presence. He recognized that Jesus possessed similar authority over sickness and disease. Jesus marveled at the centurion's faith, declaring that He had not found such great faith in all of Israel (Matthew 8:10). This highlights that faith, not ethnicity, is the key to experiencing God's power.
Jesus then prophesied that many Gentiles would come from east and west and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11), while some "sons of the kingdom" (referring to those who should have known better) would be cast into outer darkness (Matthew 8:12). This "outer darkness" is a picture of profound regret due to loss of rewards at the judgment seat of Christ because of unfaithfulness. The context determines whether this phrase is referring to believers or to unbelievers. Jesus spoke the word, and the servant was healed instantly (Matthew 8:13).
The centurion's faith wasn't rooted in his social standing or religious background, but in his understanding of Jesus' authority. Great faith comes when we truly understand the greatness of the object of our faith.
Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law and Others (Matthew 8:14-17)
Next, Jesus went to Peter's house and healed Peter's mother-in-law, who was sick with a fever. With a mere touch, the fever left her, and she immediately began to serve Him (Matthew 8:15). Her immediate response of service demonstrates the natural outflow of experiencing God's grace.
That evening, many people were brought to Jesus, and He healed all who were sick and cast out demons (Matthew 8:16). Matthew connects this to Isaiah 53:4, stating that Jesus "took up our infirmities and bore our diseases" (Matthew 8:17). This fulfills prophecy and demonstrates Jesus' compassion and power over all forms of suffering. Jesus’s healing ministry, then, validated prophecy regarding the Messiah.
It's important to remember that Jesus' ability to heal doesn't guarantee all healing in this life. We still face sickness and death. However, it allows for the possibility of healing. Moreover, because of his death on the cross, sickness, pain, and death will be abolished forever.
The Cost of Following Jesus (Matthew 8:18-22)
As Jesus prepared to cross the Sea of Galilee, two men expressed interest in following Him. The first, a scribe, declared his willingness to follow Jesus wherever He went (Matthew 8:19). Jesus responded that the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). This highlights the potential hardship and lack of comfort in following Christ. Jesus was asking, “Are you sure you understand what you’re getting yourself into? Will you follow me when there’s no Hilton, no Holiday Inn?” Are you committed to him, even when times are hard?
Another man asked to first go and bury his father (Matthew 8:21). This likely meant waiting until his father died and he received his inheritance. Jesus replied, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead" (Matthew 8:22). This seemingly harsh statement emphasizes the urgency of discipleship. It means that those who are spiritually dead should worry about such things. Are you willing to risk discipleship even when it doesn’t fit with your economic plans?
These interactions underscore the commitment and sacrifice required of true disciples. To be a disciple is to be a fully-devoted, verbal and visible follower of Jesus Christ. Following Jesus is not about personal gain or convenience, but about prioritizing Him above all else.
Jesus Calms the Storm (Matthew 8:23-27)
As Jesus and His disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee, a violent storm arose. The waves threatened to capsize the boat, and the disciples, experienced fishermen, were terrified. They woke Jesus, crying out, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" (Matthew 8:25).
Jesus responded by rebuking their lack of faith and then rebuked the wind and the waves, and the storm instantly ceased (Matthew 8:26). The disciples were astonished, asking, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" (Matthew 8:27).
This miracle reveals Jesus' power over nature and the importance of faith in the midst of trials. The storms and trials of life are designed to give you a bigger view of God and a more precise understanding of who Jesus is. The size of your faith is ultimately tied to the size of your God. Jesus used a storm to move his disciples from fear of circumstances to faith in him.
Jesus Heals the Demon-Possessed Men (Matthew 8:28-34)
Upon arriving on the other side of the lake, Jesus encountered two demon-possessed men coming out of the tombs. Demons operate in the realm of death. The demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God and asked if He had come to torment them before the appointed time (Matthew 8:29). Demons, then, clearly know that a day of judgment is coming. But they refuse to live in light of it. People do that too.
The demons begged Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs (Matthew 8:31). Jesus granted their request, and the pigs rushed into the sea and drowned (Matthew 8:32). Pigs were unclean animals, which is likely why the demons chose to be cast into them: demons produce both destruction and death in environments that are unclean.
The townspeople, more concerned about their financial loss than the liberation of the men, begged Jesus to leave their region (Matthew 8:34). This tragic response highlights the danger of prioritizing material possessions over spiritual realities. Financial loss took priority over spiritual gain.
Matthew 8 vividly portrays Jesus' authority over all aspects of life – physical, spiritual, and natural. It challenges us to examine our own faith and commitment to following Him, urging us to prioritize Him above comfort, convenience, and even material possessions.