Matthew 8

Jesus cleanses the leper

When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. Matthew 8:1–4

A leper worships Jesus and trusts His power. Jesus touches someone no one else would touch and makes him clean, a picture of how He cleanses us from sin.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 1:40-44 — Mark's account of the same healing.
• alludes to Leviticus 14:2-4 — The gift Moses commanded for a cleansed leper.

Jesus heals by His word

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, Matthew 8:5–13

A Roman officer believes Jesus has authority to heal just by speaking. Jesus praises his faith and foretells that many from east and west will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in His kingdom.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Luke 7:1-10 — Luke's account of the centurion's servant.

He took our infirmities

And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. Matthew 8:14–17

Matthew says Jesus' healings fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering Servant. The same One who healed bodies in Galilee took upon Himself all our pains and sins in His Atonement.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Isaiah 53:4 — Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.
• fulfils Mosiah 14:4 — Abinadi's quotation of the same Isaiah prophecy about the Messiah.
• alludes to Alma 7:11-12 — Alma: He shall take upon him their infirmities, that he may know how to succor his people.

Son of Man

Son of Man — Son of Man of Holiness; Man of Holiness is a name of the Father (Moses 6:57)

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. Matthew 8:18–22

This is the first time in Matthew that Jesus calls Himself the Son of Man. The Creator of the earth had no home of His own, and He asks disciples to put following Him first.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — Man of Holiness is the Father's name, and the name of His Only Begotten is the Son of Man.
• a parallel account in Luke 9:57-60 — Luke's account of the would-be followers.
• alludes to Daniel 7:13-14 — One like the Son of man given everlasting dominion.

Master of the winds and the sea

And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. Matthew 8:23–27

Only God rules the wind and sea, so the disciples wonder who Jesus really is. He is the Creator, Jehovah, and the elements obey their Maker.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Psalm 107:28-29 — The LORD maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
• a parallel account in Mark 4:36-41 — Mark's account of stilling the storm.
• alludes to Helaman 12:8-9 — The earth and waters obey the voice of the Lord.

Jonah as a type of Christ

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. Matthew 8:24–26

Like Jonah, Jesus sleeps in a ship during a terrible storm while frightened sailors wake Him. But where the sea grew calm only after Jonah was thrown overboard, Jesus calms it with a word — the 'greater than Jonas.'

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• typified by Jonah 1:4-6 — A mighty tempest while Jonah is fast asleep; the shipmaster wakes him.
• interpreted by Matthew 12:40-41 — Jesus names Jonah as a sign of Himself: 'a greater than Jonas is here.'

Son of God

Son of God — the divine Son of the Father

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. Matthew 8:28–34

Even evil spirits recognize Jesus and name Him the Son of God. They know He will judge them, and they must obey His one word, 'Go.'

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 5:1-17 — Mark's account of the man with the legion of devils.
• a parallel account in Luke 8:26-37 — Luke's account of the same miracle.
• alludes to James 2:19 — The devils also believe, and tremble.