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Bible Studies / New Testament / Matthew
Verse-by-Verse Bible Study

Matthew 8:1–17

Healing the Leper… vs. 1-4

MatthewNew TestamentEnglish
These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
  • Review…
    • The Sermon of the King…
      • The LONGEST public teaching recorded in the New Testament – Matthew 5-7
      • Teaching disciples – those who want to learn – how to be CITIZENS of the KINGDOM of God…
      • Beginning with the Beatitudes – Jesus established we are POOR in Spirit – and need Him!
    • Relationship with God
      • We are to GIVE and PRAY in secret – we must FORGIVE everyone…
      • And we are to store up our treasures in HEAVEN – so we have a HEART for God…
      • But not WORRY – because we have this PROMISE – seek God FIRST will give us what we NEED!
    • Relationship with people …
      • We are NOT to judge the MOTIVES of others…
      • But we must ASK – SEEK – KNOCK – so our Father in Heaven gives us His Holy Spirit…
      • So that we can LOVE others – show them the NARROW path – that leads to Heaven!
      • We are to judge FRUIT – so we can spot FALSE teachers…
      • And also so that we can know who is a TRUE Christian [Lord – Lord]
      • Those who are standing on the ROCK – who HEAR and OBEY the Word!
  • 1st – Healing the Leper… vs. 1-4
    • 1st – Ministry of the King… vs. 1
      • After this…
        • When He had come down from the mountain – great multitudes followed Him!
        • AFTER completing the Sermon of the KING [Sermon on the Mount]
        • Jesus came down off the HILL – back into the city of Capernaum…
        • And there were MANY [πολύς] who now followed the Lord!
        • The phrase AFTER these saying – is used THREE times in MATTHEW:
        • AFTER the completing the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 7:28
        • AFTER completing His ministry in the Galilee – Matthew 19:1
        • AFTER completing His ministry in Judea – Matthew 26:1
      • Outline of the Book…
        • FIRST – The Presentation of the King – Matthew 1-7
        • SECOND – The Ministry of the King – Matthew 8-18
        • THIRD – The Rejection of the King – Matthew 19-25
        • FOURTH – The Resurrection of the King – Matthew 26-28
        • We have come to the END of the FIRST section of the book of MATTHEW…
        • We now come into the SECOND part – the Ministry of the KING!
    • 2nd – Make me clean… vs. 2-3
      • Leprosy… vs. 2
        • Behold – a leper came and worshiped Him!
        • No sooner had Jesus come down off the HILL [mount of Beatitudes]
        • A LEPER comes and begins to continually [imperfect] WORSHIP Him!
        • Leprosy [Hansens] is a disease that attacks the nervous system so a person cannot feel…
        • If we touch a HOT stove – or a SHARP blade – PAIN tells us we have been injured…
        • But a LEPER cannot FEEL – and ends up harming themselves unintentionally…
        • It is a disease that slow that slowly consumes the infected person [no hands – face]
        • It is also CONTAGIOUS – people nearby can become infected…
        • Therefore – anyone with LEPROSY was required to call out UNCLEAN if you came close!
        • The Bible uses LEPROSY as an illustration of SIN…
        • Because the first time we commit a SIN – we FEEL it is wrong…
        • But if we KEEP on sinning – we stop FEELING as much guilt…
        • Until eventually we lose all FEELING of remorse – causing us to be UNCLEAN!
      • Impossible request… vs. 2
        • Saying – Lord – if You are willing – You can make me clean!
        • The LEPER said to the Lord [κύριος] – if You are willing [subjunctive]
        • Jesus had the POWER [δύναμαι] to make him CLEAN [pure]
        • LEPROSY was an uncurable disease [we do have medicine today]
        • This man was saying he believed Jesus could do the IMPOSSIBLE!
        • Much like LEPROSY – SIN is an incurable disease…
        • We have no POWER to be able to be PURE before the God…
        • But what we CANNOT do – God can DO – because nothing is impossible for Him!
        • Mark 10:27 – “With men it is impossible – but not with God. With God all things are possible.”
      • Touching the unclean… vs. 3
        • Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him – saying:
        • I am willing – be cleansed. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed!
        • Jesus stretched out His hand – and TOUCHED the Leper…
        • TOUCHED [ἅπτομαι] – to CLING to someone – hold on TIGHT…
        • And told the LEPER – I am willing – be CLEAN [imperative]
        • IMMEDIATELY – the LEPER was CLEANSED [passive]!
        • According to the LAW – if someone touched [ἅπτομαι] a LEPER – Leviticus 15:7
        • They would be UNCLEAN as well for the remainder of the DAY…
        • The tradition was for the JEWS to stay TWO meters apart from them…
        • But Jesus did NOT care – He was willing to get DIRTY to reach those who were SICK!
        • Sharing the Gospel means getting our hands DIRTY…
        • People who might not have BATHED – those who might be SICK…
        • How can we say we LOVE them – if we will not even TOUCH them…
        • We are called to REACH out to the LOST – and show them the GOOD news!
    • 3rd – The Testimony… vs. 4
      • Tell no one…
        • Jesus said to him – See that you tell no one!
        • The healing of an incurable disease was going to attract a LOT of attention…
        • So Jesus commanded [imperative] the man to tell NO one [he told everyone] – Mark 1:45
        • Because Jesus was not looking to become FAMOUS – He pointed people back to the WORD!
      • The Offering…
        • Go your way – show yourself to the priest.
        • And offer the gift that Moses commanded – as a testimony to them!
        • Jesus commanded him to GO [imperative] and SHOW [imperative] himself to a priest…
        • He was to do this as a TESTIMONY – and EXAMPLE for others…
        • OFFERING [imperative] the gift required by the Law of MOSES – Leviticus 14:2-7
        • TWO birds – one was sacrificed [Jesus] – the other was set FREE [Leper]
        • CEDAR wood – a picture of the CROSS of Christ…
        • SCARLET cloth – a picture of our BLOOD of Jesus – that cleanses us – I Peter 1:19
        • HYSSOP – a common weed that grows everywhere in Israel!
        • Are we UNCLEAN – struggling with SIN that we cannot overcome…
        • Jesus can make us CLEAN – He alone has the POWER to take away our SIN…
        • He was sacrificed [bird] – so that we could be set FREE – John 8:36
        • He went to the CROSS [cedar] – where He shed His blood [scarlet]
        • Then He made forgiveness available to everyone – easy to find [hyssop]
        • But He does not just want to CLEAN us – He wants us to tell EVERYONE else…
        • Give our TESTIMONY – how God can do the IMPOSSIBLE – and make us PURE!
  • 2nd – Healing The Servant… vs. 5-13
    • 1st – The Centurion… vs. 5-7
      • Roman solider… vs. 5
        • Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum – a centurion came to Him – pleading with Him!
        • As Jesus came into Capernaum [city on the north side of the Galilee]
        • A CENTURION came calling [παρακαλέω] to Him!
        • CENTURION [21x in NT] – was a ROMAN officer – who oversaw 100 soldiers…
        • The ROMAN military had conquered Israel – so the Jews also hated Centurions!
      • His servant… vs. 6
        • Saying – Lord – my servant is lying at home paralyzed – dreadfully tormented!
        • Calling Jesus Lord [κύριος] – he asked for help for his SERVANT [young child]
        • Telling Him that the boy was unable to get out of BED – and in TERRIBLE pain…
        • There is a good possibility – this sick BOY was a Jewish SLAVE…
        • But this ROMAN solider showed great compassion for Him!
        • The Bible seems to always puts CENTURIONS in a positive light…
        • A CENTURION at the foot of the cross who said Jesus was the Son of God – Matthew 27:54
        • It was a CENTURION who saved Paul when he was shipwrecked on Malta – Acts 207:43
      • No partiality… vs. 7
        • And Jesus said to him – I will come and heal him!
        • Jesus did NOT hesitate – He told the CENTURION He would come and HEAL [indicative]
        • Because Jesus was not just there to help JEWS – He was there for EVERYONE!
        • Romans 2:11 – “For there is no partiality with God.”
        • Why does the Bible portray CENTURIONS in a good light…
        • To show us that even people we HATE – need the message of the Gospel…
        • We do NOT just tell people we like about Jesus – we tell EVERYONE!
    • 2nd – Great Faith… vs. 8-10
      • Speak the Word… vs. 8
        • The centurion answered and said: Lord I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.
        • But only speak a word – and my servant will be healed!
        • The CENTURION would NOT let Jesus go with him…
        • He kept saying [imperfect] he was not WORTHY for the Lord [κύριος] to come into his home…
        • Besides – all Jesus needed to do was SAY the WORD [λόγος]
        • And the CENTURION knew his servant would be [indicative] healed!
      • Understanding Authority… vs. 9
        • For I also am a man under authority – having soldiers under me.
        • And 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!
        • The CENTURION was a man UNDER authority [ἐξουσία] – he had a boss [Tribune]
        • But he was also a man in AUTHORITY – his soldiers has to do [imperative] what he said…
        • The CENTURION understood – what everyone else had missed…
        • He knew Jesus could HEAL – because He was the one who had all AUTHORITY!
        • Matthew 28:18 – “All authority [ἐξουσία] has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
      • Marveled… vs. 10
        • When Jesus heard it – He marveled – and said to those who followed.
        • Assuredly – I say to you – I have not found such great faith – not even in Israel!
        • When Jesus heard what the CENTURION said – God was AMAZED [indicative]
        • He turned to those who were following Him [His DISCIPLES] and said…
        • AMEN [ἀμήν] – I have not found such great FAITH [πίστις] in ALL of Israel [including them]!
        • Romans 12:3 – “God has dealt to each one a measure of FAITH.”
        • Jesus will go on to say – some have GREAT – others have LITTLE faith – Matthew 8:26
        • The wording leads us to think of FAITH in terms of QUANTITY…
        • As if one person is given a LOT of faith – while another only has a SMALL amount…
        • But Jesus rejected this idea – when the disciples asked Him to INCREASE their FAITH!
        • Luke 17:6 – “[All we need is the] faith of mustard seed…”
        • FAITH is not about QUANTITY or QUALITY – it is about WHO we put our TRUST in…
        • We have GREAT faith when we are putting our TRUST in Jesus…
        • Because it means we are putting out TRUST in the one who has all AUTHORITY…
        • The God of the IMPOSSIBLE – who can do ANYTHING!
    • 3rd – Salvation… vs. 11-13
      • Kingdom of Heaven… vs. 11
        • I say to you that many will come from east and west.
        • And sit down with Abraham – Isaac – and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven!
        • MANY [πολύς] will come [indicative] from the EAST and WEST [outside Israel]
        • And they will BOW [passive] with Abraham – Isaac – Jacob – in Heaven…
        • In other words – there will be MANY who are NOT Jews who will be SAVED!
      • Outer Darkness… vs. 12
        • But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.
        • There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
        • But some JEWS [sons of the Kingdom] will NOT be saved – cast [passive] into outer darkness…
        • Outer DARKNESS – 3x in NT – a unique term used by Matthew to describe HELL…
        • Where there is WEEPING – men who MOURN eternal separation…
        • GNASHING [of teeth] – 7x in NT – to snarl or growl in anger!
        • The imagery of hell given by Matthew is particularly graphic…
        • People who thought they were SAVED [sons of the Kingdom]
        • Will be thrown out [passive] into complete DARKNESS [absence of God]
        • There they will vacillate for all ETERNITY between TWO emotions…
        • PITY over their miserable state – that they will NEVER be able to escape…
        • And RAGING anger against the one they BLAME for sending them there!
        • Making sure no one ends up there – should be our PRIORITY…
        • Making sure they know salvation is NOT about our NATIONALITY [Jews]
        • Or who our PARENTS are [He has no grandchildren]
        • Abraham – Isaac – and Jacob were saved by their FAITH in God…
        • Likewise only [all] who put their FAITH in God – will be SAVED – Romans 10:13
      • By Faith… vs. 13
        • Then Jesus said to the centurion – Go your way – and as you have believed…
        • So let it be done for you. And his servant was healed that same hour!
        • Jesus turned back to the CENTURION – and told him to GO [imperative]
        • According to his FAITH [πιστεύω] – it would be DONE [imperative] to him…
        • And at that very moment [ὥρα] – his servant was HEALED [passive]!
        • Cornelius [centurion] was the FIRST gentile we that was SAVED in the NT – Acts 10
        • There is nothing to connect THIS centurion [from Capernaum] to Cornelius [from Caesarea]
        • But soldiers do get moved around – and just MAYBE – this was the same man…
        • Who because of his encounter with Jesus – became the FIRST to BELIEVE!
        • Jesus did HEAL the servant of this CENTURION – but the healing was NOT the point…
        • He used the HEALING as an opportunity to talk about HEAVEN…
        • Because when we reach out to HELP [θεραπεύω] people…
        • Then give them the GOSPEL – give them the CHOICE – heaven or hell…
        • The end RESULT – will be even those who think of as enemies – can become brothers!
  • 3rd – Healing Family… vs. 14-17
    • 1st – Mother in Law… vs. 14-15
      • Peter’s wife… vs. 14
        • When Jesus had come into Peter’s house – He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever!
        • After teaching in the Synagogue – Mark 1:29
        • Jesus came into the house of Peter [spaceship church] – his Mother in Law was sick…
        • We are told in the book of Luke – it was a HIGH [μέγας] fever – Luke 4:38
        • But if Peter had a Mother in Law – he must have also had a WIFE – I Corinthians 9:5
        • There are some denominations today that insist Peter never married…
        • The idea is that somehow SINGLENESS is more holy than MARRIAGE…
        • It is a false teaching – and has come to cause a LOT of problems in the church!
        • I Timothy 4:3 – “[Listening] to deceiving spirits – doctrines of demons… forbidding to marry.”
        • The doctrine that priest must be SINGLE – has led to huge scandals…
        • The Catholic church has had to pay BILLIONS – because of cases of sexual abuse…
        • All because of a FALSE teaching – men are more HOLY if they are SINGLE!
        • Most are called to be MARRIED – only a few are able to stay SINGLE – Matthew 19:11
        • If someone is NOT called to be SINGLE – they should GET MARRIED – I Corinthians 7:9
        • A church leader is NO exception – Pastors should have a wife – I Timothy 3:3
      • Caring for family… vs. 15
        • So He touched her hand – and the fever left her. And she arose and served them!
        • As with the LEPER – Jesus did not hesitate to TOUCH [ἅπτομαι] the one in NEED…
        • And as with the CENTURION – Jesus showed His AUTHORITY…
        • Because immediately the FEVER left [indicative] her…
        • Feeling much better – she began to SERVE [imperfect] Jesus and the Disciples!
        • Jesus and the disciples were BUSY – HEALING – and TEACHING…
        • But Jesus also took the time to take care of FAMILY!
        • It is easy to get BUSY in life – we can even be doing GOOD things [serving others]
        • But we need to make sure we do not NEGLECT our family…
        • Take the time to minister to the ones in our HOME [first ministry]
        • Because if we minister to them – they will then MINISTER [passive] with us!
    • 2nd – The prophet Isaiah… vs. 16-17
      • With a Word … vs. 16
        • When evening had come – they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed.
        • And He cast out the spirits with a word – and healed all who were sick!
        • Matthew writes this as it if all took place in ONE day [not necessarily chronological]
        • Because LATE that night – they brough to Jesus MANY people…
        • POSSESSED with demons – who we cast out with His WORD [λόγος]
        • And SICK – that Jesus healed [indicative] – ALL [πᾶς] of them!
      • By the Word… vs. 17
        • That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet – saying:
        • He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses!
        • Jesus did this to FULFILL [passive] the Words of Isaiah – Isaiah 53:4
        • He took our WEAKNESS [infirmities] – and our DISEASE [sickness] He put in His hands!
        • This is NOT speaking of physical sickness – it is talking about SPIRITUAL…
        • Jesus came – because we were too WEAK to overcome SIN…
        • So He put our SINFULNESS [disease] into His hands – nailing them to the cross!
        • I Peter 2:24 – “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree – that we – having died to sins might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.”