Matthew Chapter 8

The Leper's Prayer

(Leviticus 14:1-32; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16)

1When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4And 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.

The Centurion's Great Faith

(Luke 7:1-10; John 4:43-54)

5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8The 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. 9For 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. 10When 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. 11And 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. 12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13And 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.

Jesus Heals at Peter's House

(Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41)

14And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. 16When 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: 17That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

The Cost of Following Jesus

(Luke 9:57-62; Luke 14:25-33; John 6:60-65)

18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 19And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20And 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. 21And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Jesus Stills the Storm

(Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)

23And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26And 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. 27But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Demons Cast into Pigs

(Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)

28And 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. 29And, 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? 30And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32And 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. 33And 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. 34And, 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.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Leper’s Prayer
(Leviticus 14:1–32; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 5:12–16)

1 When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 Behold, a leper came to him and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 Jesus 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.”

The Faith of the Centurion
(Luke 7:1–10; John 4:43–54)

5 When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, 6 and saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For 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.” 10 When 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. 11 I 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, 12 but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” His servant was healed in that hour.

Jesus Heals at Peter’s House
(Mark 1:29–34; Luke 4:38–41)

14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him. 16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.”

The Cost of Discipleship
(Luke 9:57–62; Luke 14:25–33; John 6:59–66)

18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side. 19 A scribe came, and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus 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.” 21 Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms the Storm
(Psalm 107:1–43; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25)

23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 Behold, a violent storm came up on the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. 25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, “Save us, Lord! We are dying!” 26 He 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. 27 The men marveled, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

The Demons and the Pigs
(Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39)

28 When 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. 29 Behold, 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?” 30 Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them. 31 The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.” 32 He 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. 33 Those who fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. 34 Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders.

The Leper’s Prayer
(Leviticus 14:1–32; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 5:12–16)

1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 Suddenly a leper a came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4 Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.” b

The Faith of the Centurion
(Luke 7:1–10; John 4:43–54)

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came and pleaded with Him, 6 “Lord, my servant c lies at home, paralyzed and in terrible agony.”

7 “I will go and heal him,” Jesus replied.

8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell one to go, and he goes; and another to come, and he comes. I tell my servant to do something, and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those following Him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

Jesus Heals at Peter’s House
(Mark 1:29–34; Luke 4:38–41)

14 When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve Him.

16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“He took on our infirmities

and carried our diseases.” d

The Cost of Discipleship
(Luke 9:57–62; Luke 14:25–33; John 6:59–66)

18 When Jesus saw a large crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the sea. e 19 And one of the scribes came to Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”

20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

21 Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

22 But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms the Storm
(Psalm 107:1–43; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25)

23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

26 “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

The Demons and the Pigs
(Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39)

28 When Jesus arrived on the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, f He was met by two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.

29 “What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

30 In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

32 “Go!” He told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters.

33 Those tending the pigs ran off into the town and reported all this, including the account of the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.

Footnotes:

2 a A leper  was one afflicted with a skin disease. See Leviticus 13.
4 b See Leviticus 14:1–32.
6 c Or child ; also in verses 8 and 13
17 d Isaiah 53:4
18 e That is, the Sea of Galilee; Greek to the other side
28 f BYZ, TR, and GOC Gergesenes ; other manuscripts Gerasenes

The Leper's Prayer

(Leviticus 14:1-32; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16)

1And when he came down from the mount, great multitudes did follow him, 2and lo, a leper having come, was bowing to him, saying, 'Sir, if thou art willing, thou art able to cleanse me;' 3and having stretched forth the hand, Jesus touched him, saying, 'I will, be thou cleansed,' and immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4And Jesus saith to him, 'See, thou mayest tell no one, but go, thyself shew to the priest, and bring the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony to them.'

The Centurion's Great Faith

(Luke 7:1-10; John 4:43-54)

5And Jesus having entered into Capernaum, there came to him a centurion calling upon him, 6and saying, 'Sir, my young man hath been laid in the house a paralytic, fearfully afflicted,' 7and Jesus saith to him, 'I, having come, will heal him.' 8And the centurion answering said, 'Sir, I am not worthy that thou mayest enter under my roof, but only say a word, and my servant shall be healed; 9for I also am a man under authority, having under myself soldiers, and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Be coming, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it.' 10And Jesus having heard, did wonder, and said to those following, 'Verily I say to you, not even in Israel so great faith have I found; 11and I say to you, that many from east and west shall come and recline (at meat) with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the reign of the heavens, 12but the sons of the reign shall be cast forth to the outer darkness -- there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth.' 13And Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go, and as thou didst believe let it be to thee;' and his young man was healed in that hour.

Jesus Heals at Peter's House

(Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41)

14And Jesus having come into the house of Peter, saw his mother-in-law laid, and fevered, 15and he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose, and was ministering to them. 16And evening having come, they brought to him many demoniacs, and he did cast out the spirits with a word, and did heal all who were ill, 17that it might be fulfilled that was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 'Himself took our infirmities, and the sicknesses he did bear.'

The Cost of Following Jesus

(Luke 9:57-62; Luke 14:25-33; John 6:60-65)

18And Jesus having seen great multitudes about him, did command to depart to the other side; 19and a certain scribe having come, said to him, 'Teacher, I will follow thee wherever thou mayest go;' 20and Jesus saith to him, 'The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven places of rest, but the Son of Man hath not where he may lay the head.' 21And another of his disciples said to him, 'Sir, permit me first to depart and to bury my father;' 22and Jesus said to him, 'Follow me, and suffer the dead to bury their own dead.'

Jesus Stills the Storm

(Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)

23And when he entered into the boat his disciples did follow him, 24and lo, a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves, but he was sleeping, 25and his disciples having come to him, awoke him, saying, 'Sir, save us; we are perishing.' 26And he saith to them, 'Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?' Then having risen, he rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm; 27and the men wondered, saying, 'What kind -- is this, that even the wind and the sea do obey him?'

Demons Cast into Pigs

(Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)

28And he having come to the other side, to the region of the Gergesenes, there met him two demoniacs, coming forth out of the tombs, very fierce, so that no one was able to pass over by that way, 29and lo, they cried out, saying, 'What -- to us and to thee, Jesus, Son of God? didst thou come hither, before the time, to afflict us?' 30And there was far off from them a herd of many swine feeding, 31and the demons were calling on him, saying, 'If thou dost cast us forth, permit us to go away to the herd of the swine;' 32and he saith to them, 'Go.' And having come forth, they went to the herd of the swine, and lo, the whole herd of the swine rushed down the steep, to the sea, and died in the waters, 33and those feeding did flee, and, having gone to the city, they declared all, and the matter of the demoniacs. 34And lo, all the city came forth to meet Jesus, and having seen him, they called on him that he might depart from their borders.

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

¹ After finishing His sermon, Jesus descended from the mountainside, and massive crowds followed Him, drawn by His authoritative words and compassionate presence. ² Suddenly, a man with leprosy - that dreaded, isolating disease - approached and knelt before Him. "Lord," he pleaded with desperate hope, "if You are willing, You have the power to make me clean and whole again." ³ With deep compassion, the Messiah did what no one else would dare - He reached out and touched the man's diseased skin. "I am willing," He declared. "Be clean!" Instantly, every trace of leprosy vanished.

⁴ "Don't broadcast this healing yet," the Messiah instructed him. "Instead, go straight to the priest and follow Moses' law by offering the prescribed sacrifice. Let them verify your healing officially, as this will be a powerful testimony to them."

Jesus Heals a Roman Centurion’s Servant

⁵ When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman centurion - a military commander of 100 men - came to Him with an urgent request. ⁶ "Lord," the officer pleaded, "my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly with every movement." ⁷ Jesus responded immediately, "I will come and heal him." ⁸ But the centurion replied with remarkable insight, "Lord, I don't deserve to have You come under my roof. Just speak the word from here, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ I understand authority - I take orders from my superiors and give orders to my soldiers. When I say 'Go!' they go; 'Come!' they come; 'Do this!' they do it. You have even greater authority over sickness and health." ¹⁰ Hearing this, Jesus marveled and told the crowd, "I tell you the truth, I haven't found anyone in all Israel with such strong faith! ¹¹ Many will come from east and west - from all nations - and feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in heaven's kingdom. ¹² But many natural-born children of the kingdom will find themselves in outer darkness, where there is weeping and grinding of teeth, because they rejected their Messiah." ¹³ Then Jesus told the centurion, "Go home. What you have believed will be done." At that very moment, the servant was completely healed.

Jesus Heals Many

¹⁴ Later, Jesus entered Peter's house and found his mother-in-law confined to bed with a dangerous fever. ¹⁵ He touched her hand gently, and immediately the fever left. She got up and began serving them, completely restored to health and strength. ¹⁶ That evening, as word spread, people brought many demon-possessed individuals to Him. With just a word, He cast out the evil spirits and healed all who were sick. ¹⁷ This fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy:

"He Himself took our weaknesses,
And carried our diseases."

The Cost of Following Jesus

¹⁸ Seeing the large crowds gathering around Him, Jesus gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. ¹⁹ A religious teacher of Torah approached Him and declared, "Teacher, I'll follow You wherever You go!" ²⁰ The Messiah responded soberly, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no place to call home. Following Me means embracing that same uncertainty." ²¹ Another follower said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." ²² But Jesus told him, "Follow Me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their physical dead." His startling words emphasized the urgency of the kingdom's call.

Jesus Rebukes the Storm

²³ Then Jesus got into the boat, His disciples following Him into what would become a test of their faith. ²⁴ Suddenly, a violent storm erupted on the lake. Massive waves crashed over the boat, threatening to sink it. Yet remarkably, the Messiah slept peacefully. ²⁵ The disciples shook Him awake, crying out in terror, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" ²⁶ He responded, "Why are you so afraid? Where is your faith?" Then He stood and commanded the winds and waves to cease. Complete calm descended immediately. ²⁷ The disciples were awestruck. "What kind of man is this?" they wondered. "Even the winds and waves obey Him!"

Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men

²⁸ When they reached the region of the Gadarenes, two men possessed by demons came from the tombs to meet Him. They were so violent that no one dared travel that road. ²⁹ They shouted, "What do You want with us, Son of God? Have You come to torment us before the appointed time?" The demons recognized His identity and authority, and their own future. ³⁰ In the distance, a large herd of pigs was feeding - animals considered unclean by Jewish law. ³¹ The demons begged Him, "If You cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs." ³² "Go!" He commanded. The demons left the men and entered the pigs. The entire herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. ³³ The pig herders fled to town, reporting everything that had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ The whole town came out to meet the Messiah. But instead of celebrating the men's deliverance, they pleaded with Him to leave their region, more concerned about their economic loss than spiritual gain.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Matthew 8?

1.1Context of Matthew 8

1.2Ancient Key Word Study

1.3Matthew 8 Unique Insights

1.4Question the Text

1.5Matthew 8 Connections to Yeshua

1.6Matthew 8 Scriptural Echoes

1.7Matthew 8 Devotional

1.8Did You Know

What is the meaning of Matthew 8?

What would you do if you saw someone command a storm to stop – and it actually listened? Imagine standing on a fishing boat in the middle of a raging sea, waves crashing over the bow, when suddenly a single voice cuts through the chaos and nature itself bows in submission. Matthew 8 reads like a supernatural highlight reel, where diseases vanish with a touch, demons flee at a word, and even the wind and waves stand at attention. But these aren’t just random displays of power – they’re carefully chosen scenes that answer one of history’s most pressing questions: Who exactly is this man from Nazareth?

From the fingertips of a leper feeling clean skin for the first time in years, to a Roman centurion’s amazed face as his servant is healed from miles away, to fishermen staring open-mouthed at suddenly calm waters, Matthew shows us Jesus’s authority not through abstract theological arguments, but through encounters that changed lives forever. Each miracle peels back another layer of Jesus’s identity, revealing someone with power that extends far beyond impressive teaching – someone who doesn’t just talk about God’s kingdom, but demonstrates its reality in ways that leave even his closest followers asking, “What manner of man is this?”

Context of Matthew 8

Within the immediate context of Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 8 follows the comprehensive teaching of the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) and precedes more miraculous demonstrations and teaching in chapter 9. This positioning is deliberate, as Matthew arranges his material thematically rather than strictly chronologically. The authority Jesus claimed in His teaching (Matthew 7:28-29) is now authenticated through demonstrations of supernatural power.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter fulfills numerous Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s healing ministry. The healing of the leper, in particular, carries profound significance in Jewish culture, as leprosy rendered one both physically and ceremonially unclean. Jesus’s willingness to touch the untouchable demonstrates not only His power to heal but His compassion to restore the marginalized to community life.

The chapter also foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s kingdom through the healing of the centurion’s servant and Jesus’s commentary on faith. This theme resonates with Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah being a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6) and continues Matthew’s emphasis on Jesus as the fulfillment of all Scripture.

Ancient Key Word Study

Καθαρίσθητι (Katharisthēti) – “Be cleansed” (v.3): This imperative verb carries both physical and ceremonial significance. In the Septuagint, it’s used for ritual purification, making this healing both medical and spiritual. The passive form implies divine action, showing Jesus acting with God’s authority.
Ἥψατο (Hēpsato) – “He touched” (v.3): This word choice is deliberately shocking in context. Touching a leper made one ceremonially unclean, yet when Jesus touches, instead of contracting uncleanness, His holiness proves contagious, transmitting cleansing.
Ἑκατόνταρχος (Hekatontarchos) – “Centurion” (v.5): A Gentile military commander of 100 men. Matthew’s use of this term emphasizes the man’s outsider status while highlighting his exemplary faith, challenging Jewish assumptions about Gentiles.
Ἐξουσίαν (Exousian) – “Authority” (v.9): The centurion’s understanding of authority and rank becomes a model of faith. The word denotes both the right and power to act, reflecting Jesus’s divine authority over creation.
Ἀκολούθει (Akolouthei) – “Follow” (v.22): More than physical following, this verb implies discipleship and complete dedication. Used as an imperative, it demands immediate response and total commitment.
Σεισμὸς (Seismos) – “Storm” (v.24): Literally “shaking,” this term is used in the Septuagint for theophanic manifestations of God. Its use here suggests more than a natural phenomenon, hinting at cosmic spiritual warfare.
Ὀλιγόπιστοι (Oligopistoi) – “You of little faith” (v.26): A compound word unique to the Gospels, combining “little” and “faith.” It’s not an absence of faith but its inadequacy that Jesus addresses.
Ἐπετίμησεν (Epetimēsen) – “He rebuked” (v.26): The same verb used for rebuking demons, suggesting Jesus’s authority over both natural and supernatural forces.
Χοίρων (Choirōn) – “Swine” (v.30): The presence of pigs indicates this is Gentile territory, as these animals were unclean to Jews. Their destruction demonstrates Jesus’s authority even in pagan lands.

Matthew 8 Unique Insights

The arrangement of miracles in this chapter follows a specific pattern that would have been significant to Matthew’s Jewish audience. The first miracle, healing a leper, demonstrates authority over ritual uncleanness. The second, healing a Gentile’s servant from a distance, shows authority beyond Israel’s borders. The third, healing Peter’s mother-in-law, reveals authority over domestic illness. This progression builds to the climactic demonstration of authority over nature and demons.

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a) discusses signs of the Messiah, including healing of lepers, which was considered as difficult as raising the dead. The healing of the leper in this chapter therefore carries particular significance in Jewish thought. Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah taught that only God could heal leprosy, making Jesus’s action a clear claim to divine authority.

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Early church father Origen noted that the sequence of miracles in Matthew 8 parallels the plagues of Egypt in reverse order, suggesting Jesus as the new Moses bringing liberation rather than judgment. The storm on the sea (reminiscent of the darkness), the healing of fever (parallel to the death of firstborn), and the casting out of demons (corresponding to the death of Egyptian gods) all point to a new exodus motif.

The chapter also contains significant geographic symbolism. Jesus moves from the mountain (reminiscent of Sinai) to the valley (healing the masses) to the sea (demonstrating authority over chaos) to Gentile territory (expanding the kingdom’s scope). This movement pattern mirrors Israel’s historical journey and prophetic expectations of the Messiah’s ministry.

Question the Text

Why does Jesus tell the healed leper to show himself to the priests but not tell others, while in the next story he publicly heals the centurion’s servant? What might these different approaches tell us about Jesus’ purpose in healing?
Why does Matthew specifically note that Peter’s mother-in-law “began to serve” immediately after being healed? What might this immediate response to healing suggest about the purpose of Jesus’ miracles?
Why does Jesus seem surprised by the centurion’s faith, calling it greater than any in Israel? As the Son of God, wouldn’t he have known the centurion’s heart already? What might this reaction tell us about how Jesus chose to operate in his humanity?
Why does Jesus highlight the fact that many will come from east and west to recline with Abraham, right after encountering the Roman centurion’s faith? What might this connection suggest about Matthew’s message to his audience?
When Jesus rebukes the wind and waves, why do the disciples ask “What kind of man is this?” given all the miracles they’d already seen? What was it about this particular miracle that sparked this response?
In the story of the Gadarene demoniacs, why do the demons ask about being tormented “before the time”? What might this tell us about their understanding of Jesus’ authority and God’s timeline?
Why does the whole city come out to beg Jesus to leave after the miracle with the demoniacs? What might this tell us about how people respond to divine power that disrupts their economic and social order?

Matthew 8 Connections to Yeshua

The healings in this chapter fulfill Isaiah’s messianic prophecy that “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” (Isaiah 53:4). This connection is particularly significant as it links Jesus’s healing ministry with His ultimate sacrificial work on the cross. The physical healings serve as signs pointing to His greater spiritual healing of humanity.

Jesus’s authority displayed in this chapter establishes His credentials as the promised Messiah who would have dominion over all creation (Psalm 8:6). His power over disease, demons, and natural forces demonstrates the restoration of Adam’s lost dominion and points forward to His complete victory over all effects of the Fall. The chapter presents Jesus as the second Adam, exercising proper authority over creation and dealing with the consequences of sin.

Matthew 8 Scriptural Echoes

The healing of leprosy recalls Moses’s sister Miriam (Numbers 12:10-15) and Naaman (2 Kings 5:1-14), emphasizing Jesus’s authority as greater than both Moses and Elisha.
The centurion’s faith echoes Ruth’s acceptance into Israel, foreshadowing the Gentile inclusion in God’s kingdom (Ruth 2:12).
Jesus calming the storm recalls God’s authority over chaos in creation (Genesis 1:2) and His power over the sea in the Exodus (Exodus 14:21).
The demons’ recognition of Jesus parallels the spiritual beings’ acknowledgment of God’s authority in Job (Job 1:6).

Matthew 8 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own faith in Jesus’ authority. The centurion’s extraordinary faith, commended by Jesus, came from understanding authority structures. In our lives, do we similarly recognize Jesus’s absolute authority over everything, and our own lack of authority without Him in our daily lives? Does this truth prompt you to spend more time in communion with Him?

The disciples’ fear during the storm, despite Jesus’s presence, mirrors our own struggles with trust in difficult circumstances. Jesus’ question, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” invites us to reflect on whether we truly believe in His power and care for us during our personal storms.

The various responses to Jesus in this chapter – from the leper’s humble faith to the Gadarenes’ rejection – prompt us to consider our own response to His authority. Are we willing to follow Him even when it means leaving comfort behind, as He challenged the scribe? Do we trust His timing and methods, even when they don’t match our expectations?

Did You Know

The Greek word for “touched” (ἅπτομαι) in verse 3 is in the middle voice, emphasizing Jesus’s personal involvement in the healing. This grammatical choice highlights His deliberate breaking of ceremonial barriers to restore the leper.
The centurion’s understanding of authority likely came from the Roman military chain of command, where orders were carried out without the physical presence of the commanding officer. This explains his unique insight into Jesus’s authority over distance.
Peter’s mother-in-law’s healing uses the verb διακονέω (diakoneo), the root of our word “deacon,” emphasizing that the purpose of healing is service to others.
The “Son of Man” title used by Jesus appears 81 times in the Gospels only (30 times in Matthew, 14 times in Mark, 25 times in Luke and 12 times in John). This suggests its usage is especially significance in Jesus’s self-identification.
The storm on the Sea of Galilee was likely a type of windstorm known as a katabatic wind, which can occur when cold air from the surrounding mountains suddenly rushes down to the lake surface. These storms were known for their sudden onset and violence.
The Gadarene region where Jesus cast out the demons was part of the Decapolis, a group of ten cities with significant Greek influence, explaining the presence of pig herds.
The number of demons (“Legion”) suggests approximately 6,000, the size of a Roman legion, emphasizing the scale of Jesus’s authority over evil spirits.
The demons’ question about timing (“before the time”) reflects their awareness of eschatological judgment and Jesus’s role in it.
The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law is one of only two miracles in the Gospels where Jesus heals without being specifically asked.
The command to the demons, “Go!” is the shortest exorcism formula in the Gospels, demonstrating Jesus’s absolute authority requiring no elaborate rituals.

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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