1546 | MattheW 8:16
16
When eve ning came , many who were de monpos sessed were brought to him , and he drove out the spir its with a word and healed all the sick . 17 This was to ful fill what was spo ken through the prophet Isa iah :
“ He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases .” a
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An oth er dis ci ple said to him , “ Lord , first let me go and bury my fa ther .”
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But Jesus told him , “ Fol low me , and let the dead bury their own dead .”
Jesus Calms the Storm
8:23-27pp — Mk 4:36-41 ; Lk 8:22-25 8:23-27Ref — Mt 14:22-33
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The Cost of Following Jesus
Then he got into the boat and his dis ci ples followed him . 24 Sud den ly a fu ri ous storm came up on
8:19-22pp — Lk 9:57-60 the lake , so that the waves swept over the boat . But
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When Jesus saw the crowd around him , he Jesus was sleep ing . 25 The dis ci ples went and woke gave or ders to cross to the oth er side of the lake . him , say ing , “ Lord , save us ! We ’ re go ing to drown !”
19 26
Then a teach er of the law came to him and said , He re plied , “ You of lit tle faith , why are you “ Teach er , I will fol low you wher ev er you go .” so afraid ?” Then he got up and re buked the winds
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Jesus re plied , “ Fox es have dens and birds have and the waves , and it was com plete ly calm .
27 nests , but the Son of Man has no place to lay his The men were amazed and asked , “ What kind head .” a
17 Isaiah 53:4 ( see Septuagint )
8:16 drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick Although ancient people often attributed sickness to demonic activity , Matthew appears to be describing the possessed and the sick as two distinct groups . 8:17 to fulfill See 1:22 and note . He took up our infirmities A quotation of Isa 53:4 . Compare Mt 1:22 and note ; see the table “ Jesus ’ Fulfillment of OT Prophecy ” on p . 1573 .
8:18 – 22 This section functions as a transition from Jesus ’ time in Capernaum to his arrival in the country of the Gadarenes . Given the itinerant nature of Jesus ’ ministry and the size of the crowds that followed him , interactions like the ones described here were probably common .
8:18 to the other side Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee . He leaves the northern shores of Capernaum for the southeastern banks of Gadara . 8:19 teacher of the law To this point in Matthew , the legal experts ( see note on 2:4 ) have not been portrayed in a positive light ( e . g ., 5:20 ; 7:29 ). Teacher No one in Matthew who refers to Jesus as “ Teacher ” appears to be a true follower ( 12:38 ; 19:16 ; 22:16,24,36 ). I will follow As a disciple . 8:20 Son of Man Jesus uses this self-designation more than any other ; it comes from the OT book of Daniel ( see Da 7:13 and note ). This title occurs 30 times in the Gospel of Matthew and often stresses the exaltation of Jesus . Here , however , it highlights his position as a homeless itinerant . Generally , the phrase “ son of man ” means “ human one .” However , in some contexts the phrase appears to point to the divine figure in Da 7:13 ( see Mt 26:64 ). In Matthew , the title “ Son of Man ” has three primary senses . First , it focuses on Jesus ’ suffering and humility ( 11:19 ; 12:40 ; 17:12,22 ; 20:28 ; 26:64 ). Second , it stresses the power and authority Jesus had on earth ( 9:6 ; 12:8 , 12:32 ; 13:37 ). Finally , it highlights his future coming as the exalted king , the “ one like a son of man ” portrayed in Da 7 ( Mt 13:41 ; 16:27 – 28 ; 24:27,30,37,39 ; 25:31 ). Daniel uses the phrase “ one like a son of man ” to describe a figure who approaches the Ancient of Days and receives an everlasting kingdom . Contextually , the expression likely refers to a Messianic figure ; as a result , it developed into a Messianic title , “ Son of Man .” In several applications of the title to himself ,
Jesus communicates his status as Messiah and his role as the inaugurator and ruler of the kingdom of God . no place to lay his head Refers to Jesus ’ traveling ministry and lack of a permanent home . 8:21 Another disciple Matthew indicates that this man and the scribe before him are , in some sense , followers of Jesus ; the meaning and extent of discipleship are determined by the context . 8:22 let the dead bury their own dead The exchange here is similar to one in Lk 9:59 – 62 . In both passages , potential disciples hesitate in light of their earthly responsibilities . However , Jesus is concerned with discipleship , not familial obligations . The urgent matter of the kingdom of God , inaugurated by Jesus ’ presence , requires his followers ’ full attention . Jesus ’ statement here should be understood as hyperbole — a deliberate exaggeration for rhetorical effect . Since any man whose father had just died likely would not be out in public listening to Jesus , this man ’ s request probably reflects an indefinite postponement of joining Jesus ’ disciples . The phrase “ bury one ’ s father ” could be understood as an idiom for the man ’ s familial responsibilities for the remainder of his father ’ s life .
8:23 — 9:8 After displaying his authority over sickness and disease , Jesus now shows his power over nature , evil spiritual powers and sin . These acts confirm the demons ’ confession in Mt 8:29 : Jesus is the Son of God .
8:23 his disciples Refers to the Twelve . MIRACLES AT THE SEA OF GALILEE
Jesus Calms a Storm Mt 8:23 – 27 ; Mk 4:35 – 41 ; Lk 8:22 – 25
Jesus Walks on Water Mt 14:22 – 33 ; Mk 6:45 – 52 ; Jn 6:16 – 21
The Miraculous Catch of Fish Lk 5:4 – 11 A Second Miraculous Catch Jn 21:1 – 14
8:26 You of little faith Jesus uses this phrase to respond to his disciples ’ doubt that God would take care of them ( compare 14:31 ; 16:8 ). rebuked the winds and the waves Since in the ancient Near East the sea