Matthew – Chapter 8

New Testament34 Verses

Chapter Summary

Matthew 8 opens with the words: "And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:" The chapter centers on Abraham, Isaiah and Isaac. Across its 34 verses, two threads run through the text: healing and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:

2And behold a leper came and adored him, saying: Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

3And Jesus stretching forth his hand, touched him, saying: I will, be thou made clean. And forthwith his leprosy was cleansed.

4And Jesus saith to him: See thou tell no man: but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

5And when he had entered into Capharnaum, there came to him a centurion, beseeching him,

6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, and is grievously tormented.

7And Jesus saith to him: I will come and heal him.

8And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

9For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this, Go, and he goeth, and to another Come, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

10And Jesus hearing this, marvelled; and said to them that followed him. Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel.

11And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven:

12But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13And Jesus said to the centurion: Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee. And the servant was healed at the same hour.

14And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying, and sick of a fever;

15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose and ministered to them.

16And when evening was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word: and all that were sick he healed:

17That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the prophet Isaias, saying: He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.

18And Jesus seeing great multitudes about him, gave orders to pass over the water.

19And a certain scribe came and said to him: Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou shalt go.

20And Jesus saith to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

21And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

22But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.

23And when he entered into the boat, his disciples followed him:

24And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep.

25And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish.

26And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up, he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm.

27But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey him?

28And when he was come on the other side of the water, into the country of the Gerasens, there met him two that were possessed with devils, coming out of the sepulchres, exceeding fierce, so that none could pass by that way.

29And behold they cried out, saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

30And there was, not far from them, a herd of many swine feeding.

31And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us out hence, send us into the herd of swine.

32And he said to them: Go. But they going out went into the swine, and behold the whole herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea: and they perished in the waters.

33And they that kept them fled: and coming into the city, told every thing, and concerning them that had been possessed by the devils.

34And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their coast.

Important Verses in Matthew 8

And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:

Matthew 8:1

And the centurion, making answer, said: Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed.

Matthew 8:8

And I say to you that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven:

Matthew 8:11

And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Matthew 8:21

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, Matthew was written with jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel in view. Chapter 8 of 28 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 34 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Abraham, Isaiah, Isaac and Jacob, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:" It concludes: "And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from…" The wider setting of Matthew is this: Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Matthew 8 presents a concrete episode in the history of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:" The passage repeatedly touches on healing and restoration.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2340).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Matthew 8 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

People in This Chapter

Abraham1 mentionIsaiah1 mentionIsaac1 mentionJacob1 mentionMoses1 mentionPeter1 mention

Reflection for Today

The early section of Matthew—Chapter 8 of 28—opens a particular moment in the story of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes.

According to Catholic teaching, Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). This chapter especially highlights care for the poor and vulnerable, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 1032).

Let Matthew Chapter 8 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 8 about?

Matthew 8 contains 34 verses. It opens with "And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:" and closes with "And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from…". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 8?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Matthew Chapter 8?

This chapter mentions Abraham, Isaiah, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, among others.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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