Matthew 8

Here, the kingdom of God appears with supernatural power (see Matthew 4:23–25; 11:2–6). It reaches people who were previously excluded from God's blessings. This included:

• non-Jewish people,

• lepers,

• blind people,

• sick women,

• people possessed by demons,

• tax collectors,

• those with long-term bleeding, and

• the dead.

Jesus showed compassion to people in need. But the religious leaders reacted with anger and opposition. Jesus called his followers to respond with faith and to walk in discipleship (living as his learners and followers).

Leprosy refers to various skin diseases. People with leprosy (lepers) were ceremonially unclean and excluded from society. They could only return once they had no symptoms and a priest declared them clean (see Matthew 8:4; Leviticus 14:2–32). Sometimes leprosy was a judgment from God (Numbers 12:9–15; 2 Kings 5:27; 15:5).

Be clean: When Jesus healed lepers, it showed the presence of God's kingdom in him and his work (Matthew 11:2–6).

The healed leper would show everyone that the religious leaders were wrong not to trust the Messiah (Matthew 10:18) or that Jesus followed the law of Moses (5:17).

• Capernaum is on the Sea of Galilee, four kilometers (about two and a half miles) west of where the Jordan River flows out. In the time of Jesus, it was a thriving fishing village. Located at an important crossroads on the Great Trunk Road, it connected Mesopotamia and Egypt. It was an international village. Much of the ministry Jesus did in Galilee happened there (for example, Matthew 4:13; 8:14–17).

• The centurion: He was one of sixty commanders in a legion and led 100 Roman soldiers (see also Mark 15:39; Acts 10:1; 27:1).

Jesus once again served people who were pushed aside or rejected. The centurion was a Gentile soldier. Helping him would have caused strong anger from both nationalistic Jews and separatist Jews.

I will go (compare Acts 10:9–35; Galatians 2:11–14): Some scholars interpret this as a question: Should I [a Jew] enter [a Gentile's house, risking impurity] and heal him?

The centurion recognized the authority of Jesus. From his own experience, he knew his soldiers quickly obeyed his orders. He realized that God had given Jesus the authority to perform miracles. The centurion’s faith demonstrates that the kingdom of God includes people from all nations (8:11).

The coming of Gentiles fulfills Old Testament promises (Isaiah 2:2–3). God promised Abraham that he would be a blessing to many nations, not just the Jewish people (Genesis 18:18). Christ fulfills this promise (Galatians 3:8, 16).

with a word: Jesus showed his powerful authority. His words alone could heal and give life.

Jesus has authority to heal every disease and rule over every demon.

He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases: When he took on the sins of humanity, the Messiah also carried our sickness (infirmities and diseases). Diseases exist because sin is in the world. One effect of Jesus taking our sin on the cross is physical healing (1 Peter 2:24). When Jesus healed people and cast out evil spirits, he showed that he is the Messiah (God's chosen one) as Scripture promised (see Matthew 11:2–6; 12:28; 1 Corinthians 11:29–30; James 5:13–16).

Jesus once met two people who said they wanted to be his followers. Jesus explained what it really means to follow him. He wanted them to understand that following him required serious commitment.

The teachers of religious law had an honored job. They preserved, learned, and explained the Scriptures to benefit society. People thought the way to God was through them (Matthew 15:13–14; 23:13).

Being a disciple of Jesus is not easy. It requires more than knowing the right things. Following Jesus includes being willing to give up life’s normal comforts.

• Another of His disciples: This statement suggests that the teacher in verse 19 was also a disciple. Calling Jesus "Lord" shows a strong commitment to him.

• bury my father: In Judaism, this was a very important religious duty. But Jesus requires complete dedication to him.

Let the dead bury their own dead. Those who opposed Jesus might have seen these words as ignoring the commandment to honor parents (Exodus 20:12). But it actually reinforces the first commandment (Exodus 20:1–3). The authority of Jesus as the Messiah justified this statement. Living for the kingdom of heaven influences normal human life, including family ties and commitments (see Matthew 10:34–39; 12:46–50; 19:29; Zechariah 13:3; Luke 14:26–27).

This story continues the theme of true discipleship. In the storm, the disciples had to trust Jesus with their very lives for safety and rescue. Jesus showed that he even has authority over dangerous weather and the sea (see Job 38:8–11; Psalms 29; 65:1–13; 89:9; 107:23–32).

A fierce storm came upon the lake. Sudden strong winds are common on the Sea of Galilee since mountains surround it.

What kind of man is this?: To receive salvation, people must recognize who Jesus is and put their trust in him. At this point, his disciples still did not understand.

demon-possessed … so violent: When people were possessed by demons, they often became violent. Other signs included:

• fear of the Son of God (Matthew 8:29),

• being unable to speak (9:32; 12:22),

• blindness (12:22),

• seizures (17:15),

• and doing things to hurt themselves (17:15).

When Jesus cast out demons, it showed that the power of God’s kingdom had entered human history (12:28).

This event focuses on the authorityof Jesus and the cost of being his disciple. Those who have faith, like the Messiah, will experience opposition.

• Those controlled by Satan immediately recognized Jesus as the Son of God (see Mark 1:24). This answered the question asked by the disciples of Jesus when he calmed the storm (Matthew 8:27). In other places, the true nature and identity of Jesus are acknowledged by the Father (3:17; 17:5), Satan (4:3, 6), people (14:33; 16:16; 27:54), and Christ himself (11:27; 24:36; 28:19).

• the appointed time: This phrase points to the final judgment. At that time, God will condemn forever all who oppose him (see Jude 1:6; Revelation 20:10).

The demons could not resist the power of Jesus. They begged to escape their coming destruction.

• The words of Jesus had power to drive out demons.

• died in the waters: This showed that Jesus had begun to defeat the enemy (Matthew 12:28; Luke 10:17–20; Romans 16:20; Colossians 2:15).

The sad part is that people who saw the Son of God's power to save were afraid of change, so they rejected him.