📖 Passage

Matthew 8:1–17 Read Matthew 8:1–17 (NKJV)

🧠 Context & Background

After delivering the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus descends into the towns and villages of Galilee and immediately demonstrates the authority He has just proclaimed. In first-century Galilee and Judea, lepers were socially isolated and ceremonially unclean, Gentiles like Roman centurions were often despised by Jews, and physical illness was sometimes wrongly associated with sin. Matthew presents three miracles — cleansing a leper, healing a centurion's servant, and restoring Peter's mother-in-law — to show that Jesus' authority extends over disease, distance, and even the ceremonial boundaries of the Law. This section fulfills Isaiah's prophecy that the Messiah would bear the weaknesses and sicknesses of His people.

🌿 Key Themes

• Messianic authority – Jesus heals with a word or a touch, demonstrating divine power.

• Compassion for the marginalized – He touches the untouchable and honors the faith of a Gentile.

• Faith as the key to blessing – The centurion's trust in Jesus' authority is commended.

• Fulfillment of prophecy – These acts confirm Jesus as the promised Servant of the Lord.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Matthew 8:1–4 – Cleansing the Leper

"Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."

• The leper shows faith in Jesus' ability, submitting to His will.
• Jesus' touch breaks cultural and ceremonial barriers, showing compassion over ritual taboo.
• He instructs the man to fulfill the Mosaic requirement (Leviticus 14), respecting the Law.

Matthew 8:5–13 – Healing the Centurion's Servant

"Only say the word, and my servant will be healed."

• The centurion recognizes Jesus' authority over illness as a commander recognizes authority in the military.
• His faith surpasses that found in Israel, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles in the kingdom.
• Jesus warns that those relying solely on heritage may be excluded if they reject Him.

Matthew 8:14–15 – Peter's Mother-in-law Healed

"He touched her hand, and the fever left her."

• A simple touch brings immediate restoration.
• Her immediate service after healing models the proper response to grace: active discipleship.

Matthew 8:16–17 – Fulfillment of Isaiah 53:4

"He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."

• Evening healings demonstrate Jesus' unlimited capacity to meet human need.
• Matthew links these acts to prophecy, showing Jesus as the Suffering Servant who bears the full burden of human brokenness.

🧩 Review Questions

1. How does the cleansing of the leper reveal both Jesus' compassion and His respect for the Law?
2. Why is the centurion's faith singled out as remarkable?
3. How does Matthew connect Jesus' miracles to the prophecy in Isaiah 53:4?
4. What is the proper response to being touched by Christ's grace?

🔍 Trusted Insight

"The miracles of Jesus are not interruptions of the natural order but restorations of the created order, revealing His role as Redeemer." — Paraphrase of R.C. Sproul

This shows that each healing is a sign of the kingdom breaking in, undoing the effects of the Fall.

Summary: Jesus' miracles display His authority, compassion, and fulfillment of prophecy, inviting faith from Jew and Gentile alike.

🔍 Definitions

• Leprosy – A term covering various skin diseases in biblical times, leading to ceremonial uncleanness.

• Centurion – A Roman military officer commanding about 100 soldiers.

• Authority – The right and power to command, used here for Jesus' divine control over illness.

• Suffering Servant – Title from Isaiah 53 describing the Messiah who bears the sins and sorrows of His people.

🙋 Application Questions

• Where might God be calling you to reach beyond cultural or social barriers to show compassion?

• How does the centurion's example challenge your own faith in Jesus' authority?

• How can you serve others in gratitude for Christ's work in your life?

🔤 Greek Keywords

• katharizō – "to cleanse"; used for both physical healing and ceremonial purification.

• exousia – "authority"; the right and power to act or command.

• therapeuō – "to heal"; often implying both physical and spiritual restoration.

• bastazō – "to bear"; to carry a burden, used of Jesus bearing sicknesses and sins.

📚 Cross References

• Leviticus 14:1–32 – Ritual cleansing for lepers.

• Isaiah 53:4 – He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows.

• Luke 7:1–10 – Parallel account of the centurion's faith.

• Acts 10:34–35 – God shows no partiality; all who fear Him are accepted.

• 1 Peter 2:24 – By His wounds you have been healed.

📦 Next Study

Next Study → Matthew 8:18–34