Matthew 8

Text · Matthew 8

Jesus Cleanses a Man with Leprosy

1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2And behold, a leper came and bowed down before him, saying, “Lord, if yoʋ are willing, yoʋ can make me clean.” 3So Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4Then Jesus said to him, “Be sure not to tell anyone about this, but go show yoʋrself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant

5When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him and pleaded with him, 6saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have yoʋ enter under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I too am a man aunder authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those who were following him, “Truly I say to you, bnot even in Israel have I found such great faith. 11I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet table in the kingdom of heaven, 12but the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it will be done for you just as yoʋ have believed.” And chis servant was healed in that hour.

Jesus Heals Many

14When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15So he touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she rose and began to serve dhim. 16When evening came, many who were possessed by demons were brought to him, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

Would-Be Followers of Jesus

18When Jesus saw the elarge crowds around him, he gave orders to depart to the other side of the sea. 19Then a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow yoʋ wherever yoʋ go.” 20Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 21Then another of fhis 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.”

Jesus Calms a Storm

23Then he got into gthe boat, and his disciples followed him. 24And behold, a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But Jesus was asleep. 25So hthe disciples came to him and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26But he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27And the men were amazed, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”

Jesus Heals Two Demon-Possessed Men

28When Jesus came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the iGergesenes, he was met by two demon-possessed men who had come out of the tombs. They were so fierce that no one could pass by that way. 29And behold, they cried out, “What do yoʋ have to do with us, jJesus, Son of God? Have yoʋ come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 30Now at a distance from them there was a herd of many pigs feeding. 31So the demons begged Jesus, “If yoʋ cast us out, klet us go into the herd of pigs.” 32He said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the lherd of pigs, and behold, the whole herd mof pigs rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the water. 33Those who had been feeding the pigs then ran off, went into the city, and reported everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34And behold, the whole city went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they begged him to depart from their region.

Textual notes

a8:9under 97.5% ¦ set under WH 0.7%
b8:10not even 93.6% ¦ with no one CT 0.4%
c8:13his ¦ the SBL TH WH
d8:15him ¦ them TR
e8:18large crowds ¦ crowd NA WH
f8:21his ¦ the PCK SBL TH WH
g8:23the ¦ a SBL TH WH
h8:25the disciples 79.6% ¦ his disciples ANT TR 19.4% ¦ they CT 0.5%
i8:28Gergesenes ¦ Gadarenes CT
j8:29Jesus, ¦ — CT
k8:31let us go ¦ send us CT
l8:32herd of ¦ — CT
m8:32of pigs ¦ — CT

Synoptic parallels

8:1–4 Cleansing a Leper
Mark 1:40–45Luke 5:12–16
Cleansing a Leper
3 Gospels · read side by side
Matthew 8:1–4 · this chapter
Read with commentary →
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2And behold, a leper came and bowed down before him, saying, “Lord, if yoʋ are willing, yoʋ can make me clean.” 3So Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4Then Jesus said to him, “Be sure not to tell anyone about this, but go show yoʋrself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Mark 1:40–45
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40Then a leper came up and knelt before him, begging him, “If yoʋ are willing, yoʋ can make me clean.” 41Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched the man, and said to him, “I am willing; be made clean.” 42When he said this, the leprosy immediately departed from the man, and he was made clean. 43Then Jesus sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, 44saying to him, “Be sure not to say anything to anyone, but go show yoʋrself to the priest and offer for yoʋr cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 45But the man went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places. Yet people were coming to him from everywhere.
Luke 5:12–16
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12While Jesus was in one of the towns, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if yoʋ are willing, yoʋ can make me clean.” 13So Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him. 14Then Jesus ordered him to tell no one, but said, “Go show yoʋrself to the priest, and make an offering for yoʋr cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 15But the news about Jesus spread even more, and large crowds would gather together to hear him and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16But he would often withdraw to desolate places and pray.
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8:5–13 The Centurion's Servant
Luke 7:1–10
The Centurion's Servant
2 Gospels · read side by side
Matthew 8:5–13 · this chapter
Read with commentary →
5When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him and pleaded with him, 6saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have yoʋ enter under my roof, but 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 servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those who were following him, “Truly I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith. 11I tell you that many will come from east and west, and recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet table in the kingdom of heaven, 12but the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it will be done for you just as yoʋ have believed.” And his servant was healed in that hour.
Luke 7:1–10
Read with commentary →
1When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2There a centurion's servant, who was highly regarded by his master, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard about Jesus and sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they earnestly pleaded with him, saying, “This man is worthy to have yoʋ do this for him, 5for he loves our nation and built our synagogue for us.” 6So Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yoʋrself, for I am not worthy to have yoʋ enter under my roof; 7therefore I did not even consider myself worthy to come to yoʋ. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I too am a man set 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 servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at the centurion. And turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” 10Then the men the centurion had sent returned to the house and found that the servant who had been sick was well.
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8:14–15 Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed
Mark 1:29–31Luke 4:38–39
Peter's Mother-in-Law Healed
3 Gospels · read side by side
Matthew 8:14–15 · this chapter
Read with commentary →
14When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15So he touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she rose and began to serve him.
Mark 1:29–31
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29After leaving the synagogue, they immediately went with James and John to the house of Simon and Andrew. 30Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31So he went over to her and raised her up, taking hold of her hand. Immediately the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Luke 4:38–39
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38Then Jesus arose, left the synagogue, and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. At once she rose and began to serve them.
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8:16–17 Healings at Evening
Mark 1:32–34Luke 4:40–41
Healings at Evening
3 Gospels · read side by side
Matthew 8:16–17 · this chapter
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16When evening came, many who were possessed by demons were brought to him, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Mark 1:32–34
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32When evening came, after the sun had set, they brought to Jesus all who were sick and those who were possessed by demons. 33The whole city was gathered together at the door, 34and he healed many who were sick with various diseases. He also cast out many demons, but he would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was.
Luke 4:40–41
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40When the sun was setting, people brought to Jesus those who were sick with various diseases, and he laid his hands on each one of them and healed them. 41Demons also came out of many, crying out, “Yoʋ are the Christ, the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
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8:23–27 The Stilling of the Storm
Mark 4:35–41Luke 8:22–25
The Stilling of the Storm
3 Gospels · read side by side
Matthew 8:23–27 · this chapter
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23Then he got into the boat, and his disciples followed him. 24And behold, a great storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But Jesus was asleep. 25So the disciples came to him and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26But he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27And the men were amazed, saying, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35–41
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35On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us cross over to the other side of the sea.” 36So they left the crowd and took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other little boats were also with him. 37Now a great windstorm arose, and the waves were beating against the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. So they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do yoʋ not care that we are perishing?” 39Then he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” So the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40Then he said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Luke 8:22–25
Read with commentary →✎ 3 notes
22One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23and as they were sailing along, he fell asleep. Then a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were in danger as the boat was being swamped by the waves. 24So they came to Jesus and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then he rose and rebuked the wind and the raging water. They ceased, and all was calm. 25Then he said to his disciples, “Where is your faith?” But they were afraid and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
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8:28–34 The Gerasene Demoniac
Mark 5:1–20Luke 8:26–39
The Gerasene Demoniac
3 Gospels · read side by side
Matthew 8:28–34 · this chapter
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28When Jesus came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gergesenes, he was met by two demon-possessed men who had come out of the tombs. They were so fierce that no one could pass by that way. 29And behold, they cried out, “What do yoʋ have to do with us, Jesus, Son of God? Have yoʋ come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 30Now at a distance from them there was a herd of many pigs feeding. 31So the demons begged Jesus, “If yoʋ cast us out, let us go into the herd of pigs.” 32He said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the herd of pigs, and behold, the whole herd of pigs rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the water. 33Those who had been feeding the pigs then ran off, went into the city, and reported everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34And behold, the whole city went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they begged him to depart from their region.
Mark 5:1–20
Read with commentary →
1Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the region of the Gadarenes. 2As Jesus got out of the boat, he was immediately met by a man from the tombs who had an unclean spirit. 3This man lived among the tombs, and no one could bind him, not even with chains. 4For he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he tore the chains apart and broke the shackles in pieces. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day, on the mountains and among the tombs, he would continually cry out and cut himself with stones. 6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him. 7Then he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What do yoʋ have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure yoʋ by God, do not torment me.” 8For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of the man, yoʋ unclean spirit!” 9Then Jesus asked him, “What is yoʋr name?” He answered, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10And he earnestly begged Jesus not to send them out of that region. 11Now there was a large herd of pigs feeding there near the mountain. 12All the demons begged Jesus, “Send us into the pigs, so that we may go into them.” 13So he immediately gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs. Then the herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. 14Those who had been feeding the pigs then ran off and reported it in the city and in the countryside. So the people went out to see what had happened. 15They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been possessed by demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind—the man who had been possessed by the “Legion”—and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told them what had happened to the man who had been possessed by demons, and they also told them about the pigs. 17Then the people began begging Jesus to depart from their region. 18When Jesus got into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged to go with him. 19But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to yoʋr house and to yoʋr people, and report to them all that the Lord has done for yoʋ and how he has had mercy on yoʋ.” 20So the man went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him, and all the people were amazed.
Luke 8:26–39
Read with commentary →✎ 4 notes
26Then they sailed to the region of the Gadarenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a man from the city who had been possessed by demons for a long time. This man did not wear clothes or live in a house but among the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What do yoʋ have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg yoʋ, do not torment me.” 29For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and he would be bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, but he would break the chains and be driven by the demon into desolate places. 30Jesus then asked him, “What is yoʋr name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. 31And he begged Jesus not to command them to go away into the abyss. 32Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding there on the mountain. The demons begged Jesus to permit them to enter the pigs. So he gave them permission. 33Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 34When those who had been feeding the pigs saw what happened, they ran off and reported it in the city and in the countryside. 35So the people came out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 36Those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been delivered. 37Then the entire multitude from the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Jesus to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and left. 38Now the man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39“Return to yoʋr house, and declare all that God has done for yoʋ.” So the man went away, proclaiming throughout the entire city all that Jesus had done for him.
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Referenced elsewhere

Prostration / adoration · book note (vv. 2, 28)

New Testament text: Text-Critical English New Testament (TCENT) — © Robert Adam Boyd, CC BY 4.0. Texts & Translations →