Matthew Chapter 8 – Commentary and Explanation Bible Study
When we open the pages of Matthew Chapter 8, we step right into a series of miracles, teachings, and demonstrations of authority that show us Jesus not just as teacher, but also as Lord with power over sickness, nature, demons, and even life itself. In many ways, this chapter is a living proof that the words spoken in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) are not just words. They carry authority, and that authority is shown in action. The chapter is like the practical display of the kingdom of heaven breaking into the world. And I want to walk slowly through it, like a friend explaining what they see, with thoughts spilling, sometimes not in perfect order, but still pointing toward the richness of the Word. So let us take this journey together.
Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy (Matthew 8:1–4)
After the long Sermon on the Mount, Matthew tells us that Jesus came down from the mountain, and great crowds followed him. Right away, a man with leprosy comes and kneels before Jesus, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” This moment is powerful. Leprosy in that time was more than just sickness, it was isolation, shame, being cut off from society and temple worship. Lepers had to live outside the camp, cry out “Unclean, unclean!” so no one would come near. It was a lonely life.
The man doesn’t doubt Jesus’ power, he doubts His willingness. Isn’t that like us sometimes? We know God can, but we wonder, will He? Jesus’ response is tender and shocking. He reached out his hand and touched the man. That alone breaks all human rules of purity. No one touches lepers. But Jesus does. He says, “I am willing. Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy is gone.
The detail here is stunning. Jesus’ touch does not make him unclean, but instead, His holiness and power flows outward and makes the man whole. That is the gospel in one act—Jesus taking our uncleanness, our brokenness, and replacing it with His wholeness.
He then tells the man to go and show himself to the priest, and offer the gift Moses commanded. Why? Because the Law still stood, and the cleansing had to be recognized officially. Jesus is not abolishing the law here but fulfilling it. The testimony of this miracle would speak loudly to the priests as well.
The Faith of the Centurion (Matthew 8:5–13)
Next we see Jesus enter Capernaum, and a Roman centurion approaches. Think about this—this is a Gentile, a man of authority in the Roman army, part of the occupying force over Israel. Yet he comes humbly to Jesus. He says his servant is lying paralyzed, suffering terribly. Jesus responds immediately, “Shall I come and heal him?” But the centurion’s reply is astonishing. He says, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
This man understands authority. He himself commands soldiers, and when he says “go” they go. He recognizes that Jesus’ authority extends beyond sickness and distance. Jesus does not need to be physically present. His word is enough. And Jesus marvels. The Scripture says He was amazed and said, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
That sentence should shake us. A Roman Gentile showed more faith than the covenant people of God. Then Jesus makes a prophetic statement: “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.” In other words, God’s kingdom is open to those with faith, not just by bloodline. This is radical inclusion, but also a warning.
And then, with just a word, Jesus says, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” The servant is healed at that moment. The centurion never demanded proof, never questioned timing. He simply trusted. What a lesson in faith!
Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law and Many Others (Matthew 8:14–17)
From the centurion’s story, Matthew takes us to Peter’s house. Peter’s mother-in-law is lying sick with a fever. Jesus touches her hand, and the fever leaves her. And immediately, she gets up and begins to serve. That detail matters. Healing leads to service. When Christ restores us, it is not just for our comfort, but so we can serve others.
That evening many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and He drove out spirits with a word and healed all the sick. Imagine the scene. The house crowded, people lining up, broken lives, tormented souls, desperate families. And Jesus moves among them with authority and compassion. Matthew then connects this to prophecy: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” (Isaiah 53:4). The physical healings point to the deeper spiritual reality—Jesus came to bear our ultimate sickness, sin and death.
The Cost of Following Jesus (Matthew 8:18–22)
When Jesus sees the crowd around Him, He gives orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Before He goes, two men speak to Him about following. One is a teacher of the law who says, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answers with a reality check: “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Following Jesus means leaving comfort behind. It is not a life of ease.
Another disciple says, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” That might sound reasonable, but Jesus replies, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” This is harsh to our ears. But what He means is that the call of the kingdom is urgent. Spiritual life takes priority over cultural expectations. Jesus isn’t teaching disrespect, but radical commitment.
Following Him costs. And He makes sure people know it.
Jesus Calms the Storm (Matthew 8:23–27)
Now we move to the boat. Jesus and His disciples cross the Sea of Galilee. A furious storm arises, so violent the waves sweep over the boat. But Jesus is sleeping! The disciples panic, crying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replies, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He rebukes the winds and the waves, and suddenly there is complete calm.
The disciples are astonished. “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” That is the question of the whole gospel. Who is this man? Nature obeys Him. Creation listens to Him. He is no ordinary teacher. He is Lord of creation.
Sometimes our life feels like that storm. We cry, “Lord save us!” And sometimes it seems He is asleep. But His authority is never gone. His word can calm chaos in a moment. The key question is, do we trust Him in the storm?
Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men (Matthew 8:28–34)
Finally, Jesus arrives at the region of the Gadarenes. Two demon-possessed men come from the tombs, so violent that no one could pass that way. They cry out, “What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Notice, the demons recognize Him. They know who He is, and they know His authority over them.
They beg Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. He says one word: “Go!” And the demons leave the men, enter the pigs, and the whole herd rushes down the steep bank into the lake and die in the water. The herdsmen run into town and tell everything. The whole town comes out to meet Jesus—and then, shockingly, they plead with Him to leave their region. Why? Fear. Loss of their pigs, economic concerns, perhaps unease with such power.
Sometimes people would rather keep their pigs than welcome the power of Jesus. Comfort, profit, fear—they push Him away. It is a sobering ending to the chapter.
Reflections and Lessons from Matthew 8
Matthew Chapter 8 is a gallery of authority. Authority over disease, over distance, over fever, over demons, over nature, even over cultural expectations. Each story builds a picture: Jesus is King. His words and actions reveal the kingdom of heaven breaking into earth. But it also confronts us with choices.
Do we believe He is willing to heal us, like the leper did? Do we trust His word without demanding signs, like the centurion did? Do we rise from healing to serve, like Peter’s mother-in-law? Do we accept the cost of discipleship, even if it means loss of comfort? Do we rest in faith during storms? And do we value Him above all else, even above pigs, money, or fears?
This chapter is not just history—it’s an invitation.
Personal Application
When I read Matthew 8, I feel both comfort and challenge. Comfort, because I see that no sickness, no storm, no demon, no circumstance is beyond Jesus’ power. Challenge, because I see that following Him is not casual. It demands faith like the centurion, trust like the disciples in the storm, and willingness to serve like Peter’s mother-in-law.
Sometimes my faith feels small, more like the panicked disciples than the confident centurion. But even then, Jesus is patient, still calming storms, still teaching me. And sometimes, if I’m honest, I see myself in the townspeople who wanted Jesus to leave. Change is scary. Letting Him deal with our brokenness may cost us something. But oh, what we gain is worth everything.
So, Matthew Chapter 8 calls me to deeper faith. To cry out, “Lord, if you are willing…” and hear Him answer, “I am willing.” To trust His word even when I don’t see. To let Him calm my fears. And to value Him above all else.
And maybe, that’s what this chapter is meant to do: to show us who He really is, so that we can believe and follow wholeheartedly.
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