Matthew 8
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1When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.” 3Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 5When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, 6and saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.” 7Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel. 11I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, 12but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that hour. 14When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him. 16When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; 17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.” 18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side. 19A scribe came, and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” 22But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” 23When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. 25They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!” 26He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” 28When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way. 29Behold, they cried out, saying, “What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them. 31The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.” 32He said to them, “Go!” They came out, and went into the herd of pigs: and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the cliff into the sea, and died in the water. 33Those who fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. 34Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"When he said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?' Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."”
Matthew 8:26
Summary
Matthew 8 highlights several miracles performed by Jesus, demonstrating His authority over sickness, nature, and spiritual forces. The chapter begins with Jesus cleansing a leper, showing compassion and the power to make the unclean clean. He then heals the centurion's servant, emphasizing faith that transcends ethnic boundaries as the centurion expresses great confidence in Jesus' word alone. Jesus continues to heal Peter's mother-in-law and many others, underscoring His dominion over physical ailments. The chapter also details Jesus calming a storm, illustrating His sovereignty over nature, and casting out demons from two possessed men, signifying His authority over spiritual realms. Each miracle reinforces the recurring theme of faith, authority, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah. Theological significance is found in Jesus' demonstration of power and mercy, inviting followers to trust in His supreme authority.
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Chapter outline
How Matthew 8 unfolds
Matthew 8:1–4 Healing a Leper
A leper approaches Jesus, expressing faith in His ability to heal. Jesus touches him and cleanses him, demonstrating His compassion and authority over disease.
Matthew 8:5–13 Faith of the Centurion
A centurion seeks healing for his servant, showing remarkable faith in Jesus' word alone. Jesus praises his faith, highlighting the inclusivity of God's kingdom.
Matthew 8:14–17 Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law
Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law of a fever. This act of healing serves to fulfill a prophecy about the Messiah's role in bearing diseases.
Matthew 8:18–22 Cost of Discipleship
Jesus speaks about the challenges of following Him, emphasizing the need for commitment over familial obligations. This introduces the serious nature of discipleship.
Matthew 8:23–27 Calming the Storm
While crossing the sea, Jesus calms a storm, illustrating His authority over nature. His rebuke challenges the disciples' faith, emphasizing trust in Him amid fear.
Matthew 8:28–34 Casting Out Demons
Jesus encounters demon-possessed men and commands the demons to leave. The response of the townspeople reveals their fear and unwillingness to accept His authority.
Key verses
Matthew 8:26Matthew 8:26 illustrates the challenge of faith amidst fear, central to understanding the disciples' journey with Jesus.
Main themes in Matthew 8
faith
Faith surfaces prominently when the leper and the centurion approach Jesus for healing, particularly in verses 2-10. The centurion's faith is highlighted as exceptional, setting it apart from the faith of many in Israel. This emphasis on faith illustrates the universal call for all people to trust in Jesus' authority and power, suggesting that true faith can be found outside expected boundaries.
Explore faith in the Bible →authority
Jesus' authority is vividly demonstrated through His healing miracles and His command over nature during the storm, particularly in verses 16-27. Each act, whether healing sickness or calming the tempest, reinforces His divine authority over physical ailments and spiritual forces. This cumulative display of authority invites readers to recognize Jesus' unique position as the Son of God, establishing Him as a figure of ultimate power and control.
healing
Healing is a central theme in Matthew 8, beginning with the leper in verses 2-4, and extending to Peter's mother-in-law and the demon-possessed men in verses 14-32. These miraculous acts showcase Jesus' compassion and fulfill Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's role in healing. The theme of healing emphasizes the transformative power of faith in Jesus, suggesting that belief in Him leads to both physical and spiritual restoration.
Explore healing in the Bible →compassion
Compassion is illustrated through Jesus' actions when He touches the leper in verse 3 and heals Peter’s mother-in-law, who then serves Him in verse 15. His willingness to engage with those in need reveals His deep care for the afflicted and marginalized. This expression of compassion is central to understanding Jesus' mission and character throughout the chapter, highlighting His role as a healer and advocate for the suffering.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Matthew 8
- 1 Peter 2This connects through the theme of Jesus bearing our sins and infirmities, as seen in His healing acts.
- Isaiah 53Isaiah's prophecy about the Messiah bearing our diseases echoes through Jesus' healing ministry in this chapter.
- Luke 8Luke's account of Jesus calming the storm develops the theme of faith in Jesus' authority over nature.
- Psalm 107The psalm's themes of deliverance and healing resonate with Jesus' actions in healing and calming storms.
- Mark 1Mark's similar accounts of Jesus' healings connect with Matthew's emphasis on His authority and compassion.
- Matthew 9This later chapter continues the theme of Jesus' healing power and His authority over sin and sickness.
Study questions
Questions for studying Matthew 8
- What does the leper's approach to Jesus reveal about his faith?
- How does Jesus' interaction with the centurion challenge Jewish expectations?
- In what way does the healing of Peter's mother-in-law demonstrate Jesus' authority?
- What lesson does Jesus teach about discipleship in verses 19-22?
- How does the calming of the storm affect the disciples' perception of Jesus?
- What does the response of the Gergesenes say about their understanding of Jesus' power?
Matthew 8: frequently asked questions
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