Matthew — Chapter 8

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

1And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

2And behold, there came to him a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

3And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway his leprosy was cleansed.

4And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

5And when he was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,

6and saying, Lord, my servant lieth in the house sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

7And he saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

8And the centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof; but only say the 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, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10And 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.

11And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven:

12but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast forth into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

13And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour.

14And when Jesus was come into Peter`s house, he saw his wife`s mother lying sick of a fever.

15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose, and ministered unto him.

16And when even was come, they brought unto him many possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick:

17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases.

18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandments to depart unto the other side.

19And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

21And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22But Jesus saith unto him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead.

23And when he was entered into a boat, his disciples followed him.

24And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Save, Lord; 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.

27And the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?

28And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, there met him two possessed with demons, coming forth out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man could pass by that way.

29And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30Now there was afar off from them a herd of many swine feeding.

31And the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.

32And he said unto them, Go. And they came out, and went into the swine: and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep into the sea, and perished in the waters.

33And they that fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to them that were possessed with demons.

34And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought [him] that he would depart from their borders.

1After he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him.

2And a leper approached and bowed low before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3He stretched out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4Then Jesus said to him, “See that you do not speak to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and bring the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

5When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him asking for help:

6“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible anguish.”

7Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof! Instead, just say the word and my servant will be healed.

9For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

10When Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel!

11I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

12but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; just as you believed, it will be done for you.” And the servant was healed at that hour.

14Now when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying down, sick with a fever.

15He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve them.

16When it was evening, many demon-possessed people were brought to him. He drove out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.

17In this way what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: “He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.”

18Now when Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave orders to go to the other side of the lake.

19Then an expert in the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

21Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

22But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

23As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

24And a great storm developed on the sea so that the waves began to swamp the boat. But he was asleep.

25So they came and woke him up saying, “Lord, save us! We are about to die!”

26But he said to them, “Why are you cowardly, you people of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was dead calm.

27And the men were amazed and said, “What sort of person is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!”

28When he came to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were extremely violent, so that no one was able to pass by that way.

29They cried out, “Son of God, leave us alone! Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

30A large herd of pigs was feeding some distance from them.

31Then the demons begged him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

32And he said, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake and drowned in the water.

33The herdsmen ran off, went into the town, and told everything that had happened to the demon-possessed men.

34Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

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.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Jesus demonstrates His authority over disease, nature, and demons through a series of miracles — healing a leper, a centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law, calming the storm, and casting out the Gadarene demoniacs.

Authorship & Background

Author: Matthew (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: After the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), Matthew presents a series of miracles demonstrating Jesus' authority over disease, nature, and demons. Chapter 8 records four miracles and two encounters about the cost of discipleship. The miracles validate the authority of the One who just delivered the Sermon — He doesn't just teach with authority, He acts with it.
The Leper (vv.1-4): Leprosy made a person ceremonially unclean — untouchable. Lepers were isolated from society, required to shout "Unclean!" when anyone approached. Jesus touched him — breaking every social and religious barrier.
The Centurion (vv.5-13): A Roman military officer — a Gentile, an occupier. His faith amazed Jesus — the only time in the Gospels Jesus is said to "marvel" at a person's faith. The centurion understood authority: if Jesus has authority over sickness, He only needs to speak a word.
The Storm (vv.23-27): The Sea of Galilee is prone to sudden, violent storms due to its geography (surrounded by hills that funnel wind). Jesus slept through it — demonstrating both His full humanity (exhaustion) and His full deity (commanding nature).

Map & Geography

  • Capernaum: Jesus' home base on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. The centurion's servant was healed here (vv.5-13).
  • Sea of Galilee: A freshwater lake approximately 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. The storm-calming miracle occurred here (vv.23-27). Sudden violent storms are common due to surrounding hills funneling wind.
  • Country of the Gergesenes (Gadarenes): The eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in the Decapolis region. Gentile territory (evidenced by the pig herd, vv.28-34).

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines Jesus touching the leper, the centurion's understanding of authority, the cost of discipleship sayings, and Jesus' authority over nature and demons.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Centurion's Faith" on vv.5-13 (MTP Vol. 27, No. 1612) "The centurion understood something the disciples had not yet grasped — that Jesus' authority operates by His word. He does not need to be physically present. He does not need to touch. He speaks, and it is done. That is the faith that amazes even Jesus." Sermon: "Peace, Be Still" on vv.23-27 (MTP Vol. 5, No. 244) "He was asleep in the storm. Not pretending to sleep — genuinely asleep. The Creator of the sea was not afraid of the sea. And when He rose, He rebuked the wind as a master rebukes a servant. What manner of man is this? He is God in human flesh."

Reflection

  • 1. The leper said "if thou wilt" — he doubted Jesus' willingness, not His power. Do you ever doubt that God is willing to help you? Jesus' answer is clear: "I will." What do you need to bring to Him today, trusting His willingness?
  • 2. The centurion understood authority — he didn't need Jesus to come physically. He trusted the word alone. How strong is your trust in God's word? Do you need to see or feel something, or can you act on His word alone?
  • 3. Jesus said "The Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (v.20). Following Jesus doesn't guarantee material comfort. Are you following Jesus for what He gives you, or for who He is?
  • 4. The disciples were terrified in the storm while Jesus slept (v.24-25). What storm in your life is causing fear right now? Jesus is not absent — He is present and in control. What would it look like to trust Him in the middle of it?
  • 5. Jesus touched the leper — something no one else would do. Who are the "untouchables" in your world — people others avoid? What would it look like for you to reach out to them?
  • 6. The centurion said "I am not worthy" (v.8). A powerful man humbled himself before Jesus. How does genuine humility coexist with confidence and authority in a man's life?
  • 7. Jesus told one man "Follow me" and told another to count the cost first (vv.19-22). Following Jesus requires both immediate obedience and honest assessment of what it will cost. Have you counted the cost? What has following Christ cost you?
  • 8. The whole city asked Jesus to leave after He freed the demon-possessed men (v.34). They preferred their pigs to His presence. What might you be unwilling to give up that is keeping you from experiencing more of Christ?
  • 9. "What manner of man is this?" (v.27). The disciples asked the right question. Who is Jesus to you — a teacher, a helper, a historical figure, or the Lord of all creation? How does your answer show up in your daily life?