Matthew 8

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

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

And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

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.

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

And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

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.

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.

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.

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.

But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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.

And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

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:

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

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

And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

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.

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

But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

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

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

And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

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.

But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

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.

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?

And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.

So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

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.

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.

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.

What does Matthew 8:7 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 8:7 features a statement by Jesus in response to a plea from a Roman centurion who has asked for healing for his servant.

The centurion's servant is suffering terribly, and Jesus' immediate response is one of willingness to help – “I will come and heal him.” This verse reflects Jesus' openness to assist those in need and his readiness to exercise his healing power.

The deeper meaning of the verse lies in Jesus' affirmation of faith, his compassion for suffering irrespective of social status or nationality, and his power to heal physical ailments.

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Historical Context

This event is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, which was written primarily for a Jewish audience, with a focus on how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.

The interaction between Jesus and a Roman centurion is significant because it shows that Jesus' ministry extends beyond the Jewish community to include Gentiles.

This was a revolutionary perspective during a time when Jews and Romans often had a contentious relationship, and it marked a significant turning point in the early Christian understanding of the inclusiveness of the gospel.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, several insights arise:

Faith: The centurion’s belief in Jesus' authority to heal even from a distance demonstrates a profound level of faith, which Jesus later commends.
Authority: Jesus' willingness to come and heal the servant echoes his authority over sickness and his divine power to restore health.
Inclusivity: This verse also points to the inclusivity of Jesus' mission, indicating that his saving work is not limited to the Jewish people but is available to all who believe.

Different denominations may emphasize various aspects, such as the importance of faith or the universality of Jesus' mission.

Practical Applications

Compassion in Action: Jesus' readiness to help someone in need sets an example for believers to follow.

Practically, this means offering assistance and care to those who are suffering.

Inclusivity: Embracing people from all walks of life, regardless of their background or beliefs, reflects the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry.
Faith and Prayer: Jesus' response encourages individuals to approach God with faith when seeking healing or help, utilizing prayer as the means to communicate these needs.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:28 – Reflects Jesus' healing power and commendation of great faith.
Luke 7:1-10 – Provides a parallel account of Jesus and the centurion’s servant.
Matthew 8:13 – "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."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "I will come and heal him" is "Ἐγὼ ἐλθὼν θεραπεύσω αὐτόν" (Ego elthon therapeuso auton).

The word for heal, "therapeuso," implies not just physical healing but also serving and taking care of someone. Understanding the original language adds depth to Jesus' response, indicating a healing that may be physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions, healing was often associated with gods or demigods, such as Asclepius in Greek mythology.

However, these healings were typically reserved for those of high status or those who could afford sacrifices.

Jesus' offer to heal the servant, a person of lower social status and a Gentile, marks a significant divergence from these practices, emphasizing the accessibility of divine grace in Christian thought.

Scientific Perspectives

In contemporary terms, healing can involve a range of medical interventions.

While the Bible's accounts of miracles are beyond empirical verification, these stories engage with the human experience of hope in the face of illness.

Scientifically, the importance of psychological and emotional wellbeing in the healing process is well-recognized, which can resonate with the holistic nature of healing represented in this verse.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer a range of interpretations.

Some focus on the centurion's faith, which Jesus highlights as being greater than he had found in Israel, as a key teaching point in this narrative.

Others may emphasize Jesus' authoritative role as a healer and his willingness to cross cultural boundaries.

Commentaries often compare Matthew’s account with Luke's, noting differences and what they reveal about the intent and audience of each Gospel writer.

Matthew 8

Matthew 8

What does Matthew 8:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 8:7 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?