1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
3 And Jesus put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 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.
5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
8 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.
9 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].
10 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.
11 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.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
13 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.
14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
16 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:
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.
18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
20 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.
21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to [him], and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
26 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.
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
28 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.
29 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?
30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
32 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.
33 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.
34 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.
Overview of Matthew Chapter 8
Matthew Chapter 8 is a pivotal section in the Gospel of Matthew that showcases Jesus’ authority through a series of miraculous healings and teachings. This chapter emphasizes Jesus’ compassion and power, illustrating His role as the Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
Key Themes
- Authority of Jesus: The chapter highlights Jesus’ authority over sickness, nature, and spiritual realms.
- Faith: The importance of faith is emphasized, particularly in the healing of the centurion’s servant.
- Compassion: Jesus’ compassion for the marginalized and suffering is evident throughout the chapter.
- Discipleship: The cost of following Jesus is addressed, illustrating the commitment required to be His disciple.
Miracles and Healings
- Healing of a Leper (Verses 1-4):
This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ willingness to touch and heal those who are considered unclean. The leper’s faith in Jesus’ ability to heal is rewarded, and Jesus instructs him to follow the Mosaic law by presenting himself to the priest.
- Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (Verses 5-13):
The centurion, a Roman officer, displays remarkable faith by believing that Jesus can heal his servant with just a word. Jesus marvels at his faith, indicating that many will come from afar to partake in the kingdom of heaven, while some of the Israelites may miss out due to their lack of faith.
- Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law (Verses 14-15):
Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, illustrating His authority over sickness and His readiness to serve those in need. This act leads to many others being brought to Jesus for healing.
- General Healings (Verses 16-17):
Jesus heals all who are brought to Him, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah regarding the Messiah bearing our infirmities.
Teaching on Discipleship
- The Cost of Discipleship (Verses 18-22):
Jesus addresses the scribe and a disciple who express their desire to follow Him. He teaches them about the sacrifices involved in discipleship, emphasizing that following Him may lead to a life of uncertainty and hardship.
- Calming the Storm (Verses 23-27):
This event showcases Jesus’ authority over nature. While crossing the sea, a storm arises, and the disciples fear for their lives. Jesus calms the storm with a command, demonstrating His power and prompting the disciples to question His identity.
Confrontation with Demons
- Healing of the Two Demon-Possessed Men (Verses 28-34):
Upon arriving in the region of the Gadarenes, Jesus encounters two men possessed by demons. He demonstrates His authority over evil spirits by casting them out, which leads to the destruction of a herd of pigs. The townspeople, frightened by this display of power, ask Jesus to leave their region.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 8 serves as a powerful testament to Jesus’ authority and compassion. Through various miracles, teachings, and encounters, the chapter emphasizes the significance of faith and the challenges of discipleship. It sets the stage for the continued ministry of Jesus and the unfolding of His mission on Earth.
