81 When Jesus came down from the mountain , large crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said , "Lord , if You are willing , You can make me clean ." 3 Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying , "I am willing ; be cleansed ." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed . 4 And Jesus said to him, " See that you tell no one ; but go , show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded , as a testimony to them."
5 And when Jesus entered Capernaum , a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, 6 and saying , "Lord , my servant is lying paralyzed at home , fearfully tormented ." 7 Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion said , "Lord , I am not worthy for You to come under my roof , but just say the word , and my servant will be healed . 9 "For I also am a man under authority , with soldiers under me; and I say to this one , 'Go !' and he goes , and to another , 'Come !' and he comes , and to my slave , 'Do this !' and he does it." 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following , "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel . 11 "I say to you that many will come from east and west , and recline at the table with Abraham , Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven ; 12 but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness ; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth ." 13 And Jesus said to the centurion , "Go ; it shall be done for you as you have believed ." And the servant was healed that very moment .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 8:1-13
Commentary on Matthew 8:1
(Read Matthew 8:1)
This verse refers to the close of the foregoing sermon. Those to whom Christ has made himself known, desire to know more of him.
Commentary on Matthew 8:2-4
(Read Matthew 8:2-4)
In these verses we have an account of Christ's cleansing a leper, who came and worshipped him, as one clothed with Divine power. This cleansing directs us, not only to apply to Christ, who has power over bodily diseases, for the cure of them, but it also teaches us in what manner to apply to him. When we cannot be sure of God's will, we may be sure of his wisdom and mercy. No guilt is so great, but there is that in Christ's blood which atones for it; no corruption so strong, but there is that in his grace which can subdue it. To be made clean we must commend ourselves to his pity; we cannot demand it as a debt, but we must humbly request it as a favour. Those who by faith apply to Christ for mercy and grace, may be sure that he is freely willing to give them the mercy and grace they thus seek. And those afflictions are blessed that bring us to know Christ, and cause us to seek help and salvation from him. Let those who are cleansed from their spiritual leprosy, go to Christ's ministers and open their case, that they may advise, comfort, and pray for them.
Commentary on Matthew 8:5-13
(Read Matthew 8:5-13)
This centurion was a heathen, a Roman soldier. Though he was a soldier, yet he was a godly man. No man's calling or place will be an excuse for unbelief and sin. See how he states his servant's case. We should concern ourselves for the souls of our children and servants, who are spiritually sick, who feel not spiritual evils, who know not that which is spiritually good; and we should bring them to Christ by faith and prayers. Observe his self-abasement. Humble souls are made more humble by Christ's gracious dealings with them. Observe his great faith. The more diffident we are of ourselves, the stronger will be our confidence in Christ. Herein the centurion owns him to have Divine power, and a full command of all the creatures and powers of nature, as a master over his servants. Such servants we all should be to God; we must go and come, according to the directions of his word and the disposals of his providence. But when the Son of man comes he finds little faith, therefore he finds little fruit. An outward profession may cause us to be called children of the kingdom; but if we rest in that, and have nothing else to show, we shall be cast out. The servant got a cure of his disease, and the master got the approval of his faith. What was said to him, is said to all, Believe, and ye shall receive; only believe. See the power of Christ, and the power of faith. The healing of our souls is at once the effect and evidence of our interest in the blood of Christ.