1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.
2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”
3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him,
6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”
7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,
12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.
14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.
15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.
16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.
19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.
25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”
26 And 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.
27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.
29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”
30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them.
31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.”
32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.
33 And the herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.
The True Meaning of Matthew 8
The Gospel of Matthew was written by the apostle Matthew, also known as Levi, who was a tax collector before being called by Jesus to become one of his twelve disciples. Jesus demonstrates his divine power and authority through several miraculous healings and encounters in this chapter. As we delve into Matthew 8, Jesus will cleanse a leper, heal a centurion’s servant, and calm a great storm on the sea. These events not only showcase Jesus’ supernatural abilities but also foreshadow the growing opposition he will face from religious leaders and the ultimate sacrifice he will make for the salvation of humanity.
Throughout this passage, we will see Jesus’ compassion for the marginalized and his willingness to challenge societal norms, as exemplified in his interaction with the leper (Leviticus 13:45-46). Additionally, the centurion’s faith in Jesus’ power to heal his servant without even being present reminds us of the importance of trust in the Lord, as echoed in Proverbs 3:5-6. The calming of the storm on the sea also points to Jesus’ authority over the natural world, a testament to his divine nature (Psalm 107:28-30). We reflect on these events, drawing inspiration from the unwavering faith of those who encountered Jesus and encouraging ourselves to deepen our own relationship with the Savior who has the power to heal, restore, and provide peace in the midst of life’s storms.
Matthew 8:1-4
Jesus heals a man with leprosy in Matthew 8:1-4. The story begins with a leper approaching Jesus, kneeling before Him, and saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” This statement from the leper reflects not only his belief in Jesus’ ability to heal him but also his humility and reverence for Jesus as Lord. Leprosy was not only a physical disease but also carried a heavy social stigma during biblical times. Those afflicted with leprosy were considered unclean and were often marginalized from society. This leper was taking a significant risk of rejection and condemnation by society by approaching Jesus and acknowledging His power.
Jesus’ response to the leper is profound. He reaches out His hand and touches the man, saying, “I am willing; be clean.” This act of physical touch was not only a powerful display of Jesus’ compassion and willingness to heal but also a significant breach of social norms. Touching a leper in Jewish culture would have rendered Jesus ceremonially unclean. However, Jesus prioritized the physical and spiritual healing of the man above cultural taboos and regulations. This event showcases Jesus’ authority over sickness and His willingness to touch the lives of those deemed untouchable by society.
After Jesus heals the leper, He instructs Him to go to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded as a testimony to them. This command reflects Jesus’ respect for the Law of Moses and His desire for the healed man to be reinstated into society. The priest could officially declare the man clean by following this instruction and reintegrate him into the community. This event highlights Jesus’ desire not only to heal physically but also to restore individuals to their rightful place within the community.
The story of the healing of the leper in Matthew 8:1-4 carries timeless messages that resonate throughout the Bible. It exemplifies Jesus’ compassion for the marginalized and His power to heal both physically and spiritually. This passage challenges us to examine our attitudes towards those society deems as outcasts and encourages us to reach out to them with compassion and love. Furthermore, it reminds us of the importance of humility, faith, and obedience in our interactions with Jesus. Studying this story and reflecting on its implications reminds us of the transformative power of Jesus’ love and the significance of reaching out to those in need, regardless of societal norms or barriers.
Matthew 8:5-13
The account of the healing of the centurion’s servant is seen in Matthew 8:5-13. Let’s break down this passage into key sections.
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Matthew 8:5-7a: “When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him? These verses introduce us to a powerful story of faith and humility. The centurion, a Roman soldier, seeks Jesus’ help for his paralyzed servant. It is noteworthy that a centurion, a representative of the occupying Roman forces, approaches a Jewish rabbi like Jesus, which would have been quite unusual due to the social and religious divide of the time. The centurion’s humility and concern for his servant are evident in his actions, as he recognizes Jesus’ authority to heal.
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Matthew 8:7b-10: “The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’”
Here, the centurion displays remarkable faith in Jesus’ power. He acknowledges that Jesus has authority over sickness and that a mere command from Him would be enough to heal his servant. The centurion’s comparison of Jesus’ authority to his own position of authority over soldiers illustrates his deep understanding of spiritual hierarchy. This interaction leads Jesus to commend the centurion’s faith, emphasizing the importance of faith in receiving God’s blessings.
- Matthew 8:11-13: “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. Jesus not only commends the centurion’s faith but also makes a profound statement about the kingdom of God in these final verses. He highlights that faith, rather than just lineage or heritage, is what truly matters in entering the kingdom. The mention of people coming from the east and the west to join the patriarchs in the kingdom emphasizes the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation. This is a significant shift from the traditional Jewish understanding at the time. The centurion’s servant is healed instantly, showcasing the power of faith and Jesus’ authority over sickness. This passage from Matthew 8 teaches us about the transformative power of faith, humility, and the inclusivity of God’s kingdom. The centurion’s story challenges us to approach Jesus with unwavering faith, regardless of our backgrounds or circumstances. It also reminds us that God’s healing and blessings transcend societal norms and boundaries. The centurion’s faith stands as a testament to the fact that belief in Jesus’ authority can bring about miraculous interventions in our lives.
Matthew 8:14-17
Jesus saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever when he came into Peter’s house in Matthew 8:14-17.” This simple setting is significant in revealing the compassionate nature of Jesus. The fact that He took notice of Peter’s mother-in-law’s condition the moment He entered the house shows His caring attitude towards individuals, regardless of their societal status or relationship to His disciples. This demonstrates a key message of Christianity – that Jesus is not only concerned with grand miracles and preaching to crowds, but also with the everyday struggles and sufferings of ordinary people like Peter’s family.
The next part of the passage reads, “He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.” This physical touch from Jesus resulted in the immediate healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. This act of healing highlights the power and authority Jesus possessed over sickness and demonstrates His willingness to intervene in our lives to bring about healing and restoration. This healing also emphasizes the idea of serving others with gratitude. Peter’s mother-in-law, upon being healed, immediately begins to serve Jesus. This illustrates the natural response of someone who has experienced the transformative power of Jesus in their life – to serve Him with thankfulness and dedication.
The subsequent verses explain that evening came, and many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This scene is particularly powerful as it reveals Jesus’ authority over not only physical ailments but also spiritual forces of darkness. The speed and effectiveness of Jesus’ command to drive out the demons exemplify His supreme dominion and sovereignty. This not only displays Jesus as a miracle-worker but also as a conqueror over evil, reinforcing the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil that is prevalent throughout the Bible.
The passage ends with a quotation from the prophet Isaiah, stating that Jesus took up our infirmities and bore our diseases. This prophetic fulfillment further solidifies Jesus’ identity as the prophesied Messiah who would come to bear the burdens of humanity’s sin and suffering. Jesus was not only demonstrating His power but also foreshadowing His ultimate act of atonement on the cross by healing the sick and casting out demons, where He would take upon Himself the sins and illnesses of the world to bring about spiritual healing and redemption. Matthew 8:14-17 showcases the multifaceted nature of Jesus’ ministry – His compassion towards the afflicted, His authority over sickness and evil, and His role as the ultimate healer and Savior of humanity. The passage conveys timeless messages of Jesus’ power, compassion, and willingness to intervene in our lives, as well as His ultimate sacrificial act of bearing our sins for our salvation. It serves as a reminder of the transformative impact of encountering Jesus and the call to respond to His grace with gratitude, service, and faith.
Matthew 8:18-22
A scribe approaches Jesus in Matthew 8:18-22 and declares his intention to follow Him wherever He goes. Jesus responds by cautioning the scribe with a statement that reflects the commitment and sacrifices that come with being a true disciple: “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” This declaration by Jesus emphasizes the transient and sacrificial nature of following Him. It conveys the message that discipleship entails a willingness to forsake comfort and security in order to truly follow Christ.
This encounter serves as a reminder to us that following Jesus requires dedication and a readiness to prioritize Him above all else. The scribe’s zealous declaration of following Jesus showcases a desire for discipleship, but Jesus’s response serves as a sobering reality check, prompting us to examine our own commitment to Him.
The mention of “Son of Man” in this passage is significant as it is a title Jesus often used to refer to Himself throughout the gospels. Jesus is linking himself to the Messianic figure in the book of Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14), indicating His divine authority and role as the promised Messiah by using this title.
The subsequent interaction in this passage involves another individual who expresses a desire to follow Jesus but asks for permission to first bury his father. Jesus responds with a seemingly harsh statement: “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” At first glance, this response may seem cold or insensitive, but it carries a profound message about the urgency and priority of following Jesus.
Jesus is emphasizing the primacy of spiritual responsibilities over earthly obligations. The man’s request to bury his father may have been a culturally important duty, but Jesus highlights that following Him should take precedence. This does not diminish the significance of familial responsibilities but underscores the unparalleled importance of pursuing the kingdom of God above all else.
This passage challenges us to reflect on our own priorities and commitments. Are we willing to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all other obligations and comforts? Jesus calls us to a radical discipleship that demands our unwavering devotion and allegiance to Him. It echoes the sentiments expressed in other parts of the Bible where Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-33) and the need to forsake everything to follow Him (Luke 9:23-26). The exchange between Jesus and the scribe, as well as the interaction with the man wanting to bury his father, in Matthew 8:18-22, underscores the challenging yet transformative nature of true discipleship. It requires a wholehearted commitment, a willingness to let go of worldly attachments, and a readiness to prioritize Christ above all else. These encounters serve as poignant reminders for believers to examine their own dedication to following Jesus and to consider the radical nature of discipleship in the Christian walk.
Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus calmed the storm while he and his disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 8:23-27. This particular passage is rich in symbolism and carries profound implications for our understanding of faith, fear, and Jesus’ power over the forces of nature.
The passage begins with Jesus and his disciples getting into a boat to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. It’s important to note that the Sea of Galilee was known for its sudden and violent storms due to its geographical location. A great storm arose as they sailed, and the waves were crashing into the boat, threatening to capsize it. The disciples, many of whom were seasoned fishermen and accustomed to the sea, were filled with fear and panic. This reaction of the disciples in the face of danger is relatable to us as humans. When faced with trials and challenges in our own lives, we often respond with fear and doubt just as the disciples did.
Amidst the chaos and fear, Jesus was found asleep in the boat. The disciples woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” This cry for help reveals the disciples’ recognition of Jesus’ power to save them. It’s a reminder for us that in our moments of desperation, we can turn to Jesus for help and he will hear our cries.
Jesus then arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The sudden stillness that followed the rebuke of Jesus was a display of his authority over nature. This miraculous event showcased Jesus’ divinity and his power over the natural elements. This echoes back to the Old Testament, where God’s power over the elements is demonstrated in verses like Psalm 107:29 which says, “He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.”
After witnessing Jesus’ power over the storm, the disciples marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?” This question posed by the disciples raises a crucial theological point about Jesus’ identity. The disciples were beginning to realize that Jesus was not merely a teacher or prophet but someone with divine authority and power. This realization marks a turning point in the disciples’ understanding of who Jesus really is. Jesus demonstrates his authority over the natural world in this passage, comforting us with the assurance that even in the midst of life’s storms and challenges, he is in control. The story serves as a reminder to have faith in Jesus, even when we are faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Just as Jesus calmed the storm for his disciples, he can bring peace and calm into the storms of our lives if we have faith and trust in him. Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8:23-27 teaches us about the transformative power of faith, the authority of Jesus over all things, and the importance of trusting in him during the storms of life. It challenges us to examine our own response to adversity and reminds us that with Jesus, we can find peace and safety even in the midst of life’s fiercest storms.
Matthew 8:28-34
The passage in Matthew 8:28-34 recounts an encounter of Jesus with two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes. This event is significant as it demonstrates Jesus’s power over evil forces. The section starts with the men coming out of the tombs, frighteningly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. These men were so possessed by demons that they were violent and uncontrollable, living in a state of torment and isolation.
When the men saw Jesus, they cried out, acknowledging Him as the Son of God, and begged Him not to torture them before the appointed time. Jesus then commands the demons to leave the men, and they enter a herd of pigs nearby. The pigs, possessed by the demons, rush down a steep bank into the lake and drown. This incident highlights the destructive nature of evil and the contrast between the forces of darkness and the power of Jesus. The drowning of the pigs also emphasizes the extent of the demons’ malevolence and desire to destroy.
The reaction of the herdsmen who witnessed this event was fear and amazement. They ran to their town and reported what had happened. The people from the town then came to see Jesus, but they were afraid and asked Him to leave their region. It is striking that witnessing such a powerful miracle did not lead them to faith; instead, they were more concerned about their material possessions (the pigs) than the spiritual deliverance of the demoniacs.
This passage brings to light important lessons. It reveals the reality of spiritual warfare and the existence of demonic forces seeking to inflict harm and destruction. It shows Jesus’s authority over these forces, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. Some may reject Jesus due to fear, misunderstanding, or misplaced priorities. The Bible often speaks of the spiritual battle believers face, reminding them to put on the armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). The account of the demon-possessed men in Matthew 8:28-34 demonstrates the transformative power of Jesus, His authority over all things, and the importance of recognizing and resisting evil in all its forms. It prompts readers to examine their own faith, priorities, and response to the authority of Christ in their lives.
After Matthew 8
Jesus healed the sick, calmed the storm, and cast out demons, demonstrating His power and authority in this chapter. Through these miraculous acts, Jesus showed His disciples and the crowds that He is indeed the Son of God, with power over all creation. Jesus is always present in our lives as we reflect on these events, ready to calm the storms that rage within us and bring healing to our brokenness. We hold onto the faith that Jesus is the ultimate source of hope and salvation as we prepare to turn the page to the next chapter. Just as He showed compassion and mercy to those in need in this chapter, let us trust that He will continue to work in our lives, bringing peace and restoration. We will eagerly anticipate the next chapter, where we will witness even more of His miraculous deeds and teachings that will guide us in our journey of faith.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.