In Matthew 8:1–17, we move from hearing about the kingdom of God in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) to seeing it demonstrated. Jesus encounters the sick, the outcast, and the forgotten with both compassion and authority. Matthew ends the Sermon on the Mount by noting how the crowds were amazed because Jesus taught “as one who had authority” (7:28–29). That same authority is on display in Matthew 8–9. After finishing his sermon, Jesus doesn’t leave the crowd to marvel; instead, he steps down from the mountain to show the practical outworking of his authority. His authoritative words in chapters 5–7 are now matched by his authoritative actions in chapters 8–9.
Matthew 8–9 builds a powerful case for the unparalleled authority of Jesus. Scene by scene, miracle by miracle, Matthew reveals that Jesus is far more than a great teacher or wise leader—he is the One who holds authority over every realm of existence.
John Hanna outlines Jesus’ displays of authority:
- Authority over sickness and disease (8:1–17)
- Authority over men (8:18–22; 9:9)
- Authority over nature (8:23–27)
- Authority over demons (8:28–34)
- Authority to forgive sins (9:1–8)
- Authority to meet spiritual needs (9:10–13)
- Authority over tradition (9:14–17)
- Authority over death (9:18–26)
- Authority over blindness (9:27–31)
- Authority over speechlessness (9:32–34)
- Authority over every affliction and disease (9:35)
- Authority over the spiritual harvest (9:36–38)
Do you see the pattern? David Platt observes that Matthew intentionally arranges these chapters with a deliberate rhythm: three miracles (8:1–17), followed by teachings on discipleship (8:18–22); then three more miracles (8:23–9:8), followed by more discipleship (9:9–17); and finally, three additional miracles (9:18–34).
It’s a rhythmic drumbeat, emphasizing that Jesus’ authority is unmatched and that his call to follow him is urgent and cannot be ignored. The bottom line is clear: Jesus possesses absolute authority, which demands unwavering allegiance from all the world.
The Personal Nature of Jesus’ Authority
While Jesus has absolute authority, his authority is not cold or detached; it’s deeply personal. Jesus doesn’t wield his authority to dominate or control but to heal, restore, and bring life. He touches the untouchable, embraces the outcast, and offers hope to the hopeless.
Jesus doesn’t wield his authority to dominate or control but to heal, restore, and bring life.
While it’s easy to focus on what Jesus did in these miracles, it’s also important to give attention to those to whom he ministered: the marginalized, the overlooked, and the outcast of society. In these verses, we see Jesus crossing boundaries and breaking barriers to reach those whom the world had pushed aside.
Jesus Reaches the Margins
The sick, the outcast, and the socially excluded all found themselves in the path of his compassion and power. These were the people others avoided, dismissed, or deemed unworthy. Yet Jesus intentionally moved toward them.
To understand the significance, we must consider the religious and social context of Jesus’ time. Jewish society was marked by strict social, ethical, and ceremonial boundaries. In the Temple, for instance, separate courtyards existed for Jewish men, Jewish women, and Gentiles, with each further removed from the heart of worship. This reflected broader social divisions, where a person’s status determined their closeness to God.
Jesus dismantles these barriers. In doing so, he demonstrates that the kingdom of God is open to everyone, regardless of social or ethnic status. Jesus not only breaks down the walls separating people from God and one another, he reveals God’s heart for the marginalized.
The Leper: Jesus Loves the Least (Matthew 8:1–4)
Leprosy was one of the most feared conditions in the ancient world. More than a physical ailment, it marked someone as unclean—medically, socially, and spiritually. Lepers were outcasts in every sense, required to live outside the city, often relegated to the city dump and barren places. They had to cover their faces, shout “Unclean!” as a warning to others, and remain at least six feet away from anyone, especially religious leaders.
In Jewish society, leprosy was more than a medical diagnosis; it was a powerful symbol of sin. Like sin, leprosy ran deeper than the surface, spreading and corrupting everything it touched. It isolated people from the community and defiled them before God. This context helps us grasp the profound significance of the miracle in Matthew 8:1–4, where Jesus encounters a man who was untouchable in every sense of the word.
A Bold and Humble Approach
The leper’s approach to Jesus was remarkable. Four aspects of his actions stand out. First, the leper came with confidence: “Behold, a leper came to him” (Matthew 8:2). Despite the overwhelming stigma surrounding his condition, the leper ignored societal boundaries and boldly approached Jesus. He overcame the shame, rejection, and fear of violating social norms because his need was too great to hold him back.
Second, the leper came with reverence and worship: “[he] knelt before him” (Matthew 8:2). The leper knelt before Jesus, an act that signified worship and deep honor—the kind of respect one would show a great king or even God himself. This man understood that his only hope for healing lay in divine intervention.
Third, the leper approached Jesus with humility: “Lord, if you will” (Matthew 8:2). The leper did not demand healing or assert any entitlement. Instead, his words reflected genuine humility, acknowledging Jesus’ sovereignty and Lordship.
Finally, the leper approached Jesus with faith: “you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2). The leper’s faith in Jesus’ ability was unwavering. The Greek word for “can” here (from dunamis, meaning power) underscores the leper’s conviction: Jesus had the power—He was able.
A Shocking Response
“Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him” (Matthew 8:3). If we had been there, we would have likely heard the crowd gasp in disbelief. No one touched lepers. To do so was to risk contamination and ceremonial defilement. But Jesus’ touch didn’t spread uncleanness—it brought healing.
This act was more than compassion; it was a declaration of deity. While others avoided lepers, Jesus touched them, demonstrating that His cleanness overpowered uncleanness. Just as sin spreads corruption, Jesus’ touch spreads restoration.
While others avoided lepers, Jesus touched them, demonstrating that His cleanness overpowered uncleanness.
Notably, Jesus didn’t need to touch the man to heal him. In verse 16, we see Jesus healing others with just a word. So why did He choose to touch the leper? It wasn’t for His benefit—it was for the leper and for the crowd around him. Jesus met not only the man’s physical need for healing but also his emotional and social need for connection.
A Lesson for His Followers
In Luke’s parallel account (Luke 5:12–16), this miracle comes immediately after Jesus calls His first disciples, promising to make them fishers of men. Here, he gives them their first lesson: fishing for people means loving them. It means reaching out, even to those whom society deems untouchable.
Jesus demonstrated that the gospel touches—it doesn’t merely teach. His example challenges His followers to break down barriers, to love the outcast and the marginalized, and to meet people where they are. Too often, Christians avoid engaging with nonbelievers, keeping a safe distance out of fear or discomfort. But Jesus calls us to do the opposite. Just as the leper approached Jesus with confidence, humility, and faith, there are people today on the fringes of society waiting for someone to offer them love and healing.
Too often, Christians avoid engaging with nonbelievers, keeping a safe distance out of fear or discomfort.
If we are to be effective in evangelism, we must reach out rather than retreat. The gospel compels us to embrace those who may never step foot in a church. We are called to be the hands of Christ, touching lives with His healing power and breaking down the barriers that keep people from experiencing the hope of the gospel. Let’s follow Jesus’ example. Let’s reach out, not run away.
The Gentile: Jesus Loves the Lost (Matthew 8:5–13)
The encounter between Jesus and the Roman centurion in Matthew 8 is one of the most profound displays of the gospel’s radical inclusivity. While the previous narrative of the leper illustrated Jesus’ love for the physically and socially outcast, this account reveals his love for the ethnically and culturally estranged. Together, they paint a vivid picture of God’s heart for the marginalized and forgotten.
A Faith That Amazes
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Mt. 8:8–9). This statement reveals several remarkable aspects of his faith. First, the centurion had a perception of Jesus’ authority. The centurion recognized Jesus’ divine power and authority, believing that a simple command was sufficient to heal his servant. This is particularly noteworthy because, at this point in Matthew’s Gospel, there is no record of Jesus performing a miracle from a distance. The centurion’s faith rested not on precedent but on a profound understanding of who Jesus was.
Second, the centurion had faith beyond Israel. Jesus’ astonishment is palpable when he states, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith” (Mt. 8:10). This declaration was a bold critique of Israel’s spiritual state and a commendation of the centurion’s trust. His faith was not grounded in heritage or tradition but in a confident belief in Jesus’ divine authority.
Finally, the centurion had faith in the person, not just the outcome. Unlike many who came to Jesus solely for signs and wonders, the centurion’s confidence rested in who Jesus was, not just in what He could do. He did not demand proof or tangible evidence; instead, he fully trusted in Jesus’ authority and word alone.
The Radical Nature of the Kingdom
Jesus’ response goes beyond healing the servant. In verses 11–12, he paints a picture of God’s kingdom that would have been revolutionary to his Jewish audience. Jesus describes a future kingdom where many who assume their place as rightful heirs—descendants of Abraham by birth—will find themselves excluded. In contrast, countless Gentiles, seen as outsiders and unworthy by societal standards, will come from the east and the west to take their place at the table in the kingdom of God. This declaration highlights the radical nature of the gospel: the Kingdom of God is not determined by ethnicity, heritage, or privilege. Instead, it is open to all who place their faith in the authority and power of Jesus Christ.
Power Without Boundaries
The centurion’s servant is healed with a word. As Dr. Bill Ury states, “The healing power of Jesus knows no spatial boundaries, just as his saving grace knows no racial or cultural barriers.” This healing serves as a tangible expression of the inclusivity and power of the gospel.
A Call to Radical Love
Matthew 8 challenges believers to confront their own biases and embrace the wideness of God’s mercy. It invites us to look beyond outward appearances and cross the boundaries that society, culture, and even religion may impose.
Matthew 8 challenges believers to confront their own biases and embrace the wideness of God’s mercy.
The centurion’s story reminds us that the gospel is not about who we are, where we come from, or what we have done. It is about who Jesus is and the faith we place in him. As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate his example, reaching out to those who are different from us and offering them the love and salvation of God. May we, like Jesus, extend grace to those on the margins. The radical inclusivity of the gospel demands nothing less.
A Woman: Jesus Loves the Last (Matthew 8:14–17)
If the leper embodies the physically outcast, and the Roman Centurion embodies the ethnically outcast, then Peter’s mother-in-law embodies the culturally outcast. In first-century Jewish society, women were often marginalized, excluded from public and religious life. Simply put, in the hierarchy of society, women were placed at the very bottom; they came in last.
Jewish culture at the time was deeply patriarchal. Some men were even taught to pray, “Praise be to God that He has not created me a woman.” One first-century rabbi reportedly declared, “Rather should the word of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman.” Women were excluded from full participation in synagogue worship and could not enter the Temple beyond the Court of the Women. Even their testimony was not admissible in court.
Despite such widespread marginalization, Jesus repeatedly broke down these barriers. Jesus treated women with dignity, compassion, and equality. He spoke openly with the woman at the well (John 4:7–26), welcomed friendships with women like Mary, Martha, and Mary Magdalene (Luke 10:38–42; John 11:5; Luke 8:1–3), and allowed women to demonstrate extravagant acts of worship toward Him, such as the anointing of His feet with tears and perfume (Luke 7:37–38; John 12:3). He ministered to the woman with a flow of blood who dared to touch His garment (Mark 5:25–34), defended the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3–11), and entrusted women to be the first witnesses of His resurrection (Matthew 28:1–10).
Jesus treated women with dignity, compassion, and equality.
In Matthew 8:14–15, we see another instance of Jesus’ radical love and compassion. He enters Peter’s home, sees Peter’s mother-in-law suffering from a fever, and heals her. Unlike the other examples in this chapter, there is no recorded request for help. Jesus simply acts. With no fanfare, he touches her hand, and the fever leaves her.
Challenging Cultural Norms
This act was significant not only for its miraculous nature but also for what it symbolized. In touching Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus defied cultural and religious norms. He demonstrated that his authority extended over every disease, every ailment, and every uncleanness. Rabbis of the day often viewed fever as a form of ritual impurity, but Jesus was not bound by such restrictions. In fact, his touch reversed the impurity, making the unclean clean, the broken whole. What is unclean can be made new and pure when it comes into contact with the Holy One.
A Prophecy Fulfilled
Matthew 8:16 reveals the response to Jesus’ healings—an outpouring of need. Crowds came in droves, bringing the sick, the demon-possessed, and those in desperate situations. In this moment, Matthew connects Jesus’ ministry to Isaiah 53:4: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” By doing so, Matthew makes it clear that Jesus’ healings were not random acts of kindness or mere displays of power, but fulfillments of messianic prophecy. Jesus was proving His identity as the Sent One, demonstrating that His authority came from the Father, through the power of the Spirit.
The Gospel Incarnate
In Jesus, we see the gospel incarnate. What he offers is not just something—it is Someone. His ability to redeem and restore knows no limits. And he meets us where we are hurting the most because the greatest marginalizing force we face is not physical illness or social rejection but our sin.
Jesus meets us where we are hurting the most because the greatest marginalizing force we face is not physical illness or social rejection but our sin.
Sin is what separates us from God, making us outcasts in the truest sense. Yet, in the midst of our brokenness and rebellion, Jesus’ grace and compassion breaks through, offering us a way back to God. This is what makes his compassion so radical—he doesn’t just heal physical wounds; he heals the ultimate wound, the one that separates us from our Creator.
Ephesians 2:12–13 says, “Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Conclusion
Through his sacrifice, Jesus took on our alienation, bridging the gap between us and God. He makes us not just healed but adopted—sons and daughters of the King. We are no longer strangers to God’s promises. Instead, we are brought near, restored, and welcomed into his family.
Jesus’ ministry reminds us that no one is too far, too unworthy, or too marginalized to receive his grace. In him, outcasts become beloved members of God’s household. Through the gospel, we are outcasts no more. If you feel like you’re the least, if you feel lost, or if you feel like you’re always last, take heart—because in Christ, the days of being the least, the lost, and the last are over forever, for Christ transforms your identity into one who is cherished, found, and first in the family of God. The outcast, the outsider, and the obsolete all have a place in the Kingdom of God.
As Hattie E. Buell wrote,
I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth;
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown.
I’m a child of the King, a child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King.
