Chapter 8:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Malachi Mark
Matthew 8
Concise Complete
Multitudes follow Christ. (1) He heals a leper. (2-4) A
centurion's servant healed. (5-13) Cure of Peter's wife's mother. (14-17) The
scribe's zealous proposal. (18-22) Christ in a storm. (23-27) He heals two
possessed with devils. (28-34)
Verse 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 14-17
Peter had a wife, yet was an apostle of Christ, who showed that he approved of
the married state, by being thus kind to Peter's wife's relations. The church of
Rome, which forbids ministers to marry, goes contrary to that apostle upon whom
they rest so much. He had his wife's mother with him in his family, which is an
example to be kind to our relations. In spiritual healing, the Scripture speaks
the word, the Spirit gives the touch, touches the heart, touches the hand. Those
who recover from fevers, commonly are weak and feeble some time after; but to
show that this cure was above the power of nature, the woman was at once so well
as to go about the business of the house. The miracles which Jesus did being
noised abroad, many thronged to him. He healed all that were sick, though the
patient was ever so mean, and the case ever so bad. Many are the diseases and
calamities to which we are liable in the body; and there is more, in those words
of the gospel, that Jesus Christ bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows, to
support and comfort us under them, than in all the writings of the philosophers.
Let us not grudge labour, trouble, or expense in doing good to others.
Verses 18-22 One
of the scribes was too hasty in promising; he proffers himself to be a close
follower of Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Many resolutions for religion
are produced by sudden conviction, and taken up without due consideration; these
come to nothing. When this scribe offered to follow Christ, one would think he
should have been encouraged; one scribe might do more credit and service than
twelve fishermen; but Christ saw his heart, and answered to its thoughts, and
therein teaches all how to come to Christ. His resolve seems to have been from a
worldly, covetous principle; but Christ had not a place to lay his head on, and
if he follows him, he must not expect to fare better than he fared. We have
reason to think this scribe went away. Another was too slow. Delay in doing is
as bad on the one hand, as hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked
leave to attend his father to his grave, and then he would be at Christ's
service. This seemed reasonable, yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for
the work. Burying the dead, especially a dead father, is a good work, but it is
not thy work at this time. If Christ requires our service, affection even for
the nearest and dearest relatives, and for things otherwise our duty, must give
way. An unwilling mind never wants an excuse. Jesus said to him, Follow me; and,
no doubt, power went with this word to him as to others; he did follow Christ,
and cleaved to him. The scribe said, I will follow thee; to this man Christ
said, Follow me; comparing them together, it shows that we are brought to Christ
by the force of his call to us,
romans 9:16 .
Verses 23-27 It
is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and are often in perils
there, to reflect that they have a Saviour to trust in and pray to, who knows
what it is to be on the water, and to be in storms there. Those who are passing
with Christ over the ocean of this world, must expect storms. His human nature,
like to ours in every thing but sin, was wearied, and he slept at this time to
try the faith of his disciples. They, in their fear, came to their Master. Thus
is it in a soul; when lusts and temptations are swelling and raging, and God is,
as it were, asleep to it, this brings it to the brink of despair. Then it cries
for a word from his mouth, Lord Jesus, keep not silence to me, or I am undone.
Many that have true faith, are weak in it. Christ's disciples are apt to be
disquieted with fears in a stormy day; to torment themselves that things are bad
with them, and with dismal thoughts that they will be worse. Great storms of
doubt and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes
end in a wonderful calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. They were
astonished. They never saw a storm so turned at once into a perfect calm. He
that can do this, can do any thing, which encourages confidence and comfort in
him, in the most stormy day, within or without,
isaiah 26:4 .
Verses 28-34 The
devils have nothing to do with Christ as a Saviour; they neither have, nor hope
for any benefit from him. Oh the depth of this mystery of Divine love; that
fallen man has so much to do with Christ, when fallen angels have nothing to do
with him!
hebrews 2:16
. Surely here was torment, to be forced to own the excellence that is in Christ,
and yet they had no part in him. The devils desire not to have any thing to do
with Christ as a Ruler. See whose language those speak, who will have nothing to
do with the gospel of Christ. But it is not true that the devils have nothing to
do with Christ as a Judge; for they have, and they know it, and thus it is with
all the children of men. Satan and his instruments can go no further than he
permits; they must quit possession when he commands. They cannot break his hedge
of protection about his people; they cannot enter even a swine without his
leave. They had leave. God often, for wise and holy ends, permits the efforts of
Satan's rage. Thus the devil hurries people to sin; hurries them to what they
have resolved against, which they know will be shame and grief to them:
miserable is the condition of those who are led captive by him at his will.
There are a great many who prefer their swine before the Saviour, and so come
short of Christ and salvation by him. They desire Christ to depart out of their
hearts, and will not suffer his word to have place in them, because he and his
word would destroy their brutish lusts, those swine which they give themselves
up to feed. And justly will Christ forsake all that are weary of him; and say
hereafter, Depart, ye cursed, to those who now say to the Almighty, Depart from
us.
Chapter 8:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Malachi Mark
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
