1. Christ ' s miracles of healing , and the secret of his ability to perform them. Observe: (a) One of the chosen people, who had lost all social and religious privileges; (b) a Gentile, an outsider by birth; (c) the near relation of a personal follower; (d) multitudes. (a) The request by the sufferer; (b) the request by another; (c) apparently no request, yet the personal follower has Christ with him; (d) the sufferers are brought to him. read more
MESSIAH 'S WORK AS COMPLEMENTARY TO HIS TEACHING . We return in this section to matter which resembles that of Mark and Luke, and undoubtedly belongs to the Framework ( vide Introduction). St. Matthew has given a lengthy summary of the teaching of the Christ, and he now supplements it by a summary of his daily work. He is not concerned with the chronological connexion of the incidents here narrated, for this is evidently to him a matter of but secondary importance. He... read more
Miracles at Capernaum. I. HEALING OF THE CENTURION 'S SERVANT . 1 . The centurion. He was a soldier and a Gentile; he had been brought up in heathenism, and had lived among the temptations inseparable from a military life. His example and that of Cornelius show us that there were devout men among Gentile soldiers, as there are many good Christian men among soldiers now. Temptations may be great, but the grace of God is greater; we can serve him acceptably in any lawful... read more
And when Jesus was come into Peter's house. Straight from the synagogue (parallel passages), for food, Matthew 8:15 (Chrysostom). It seems clear, from the parallel passages, that St. Peter had not previously told our Lord about his mother-in-law's illness, but that he, with others, now asked ( ἠρώτησαν , Luke) him to heal her. Among these others were probably Andrew, who also lived in the house, and James and John, who accompanied our Lord (Mark). Whether or not it was Peter's... read more
The healing of St. Peter ' s wife ' s mother. Parallel passages: Mark 1:29-31 ; Luke 4:38 , Luke 4:39 . read more
A domestic scene. The long day is nearly over. The great sermon has been preached, the healings by the way have been accomplished; at last Jesus has come home to rest for the night with one of his friends. But even now his ministry cannot cease. Wherever he goes he sees human need; whenever he sees human need he is ready to put forth power to help. I. THERE IS TROUBLE IN THE HOME . Pain and sorrow are not shut out when the darkness of night is excluded and the door is closed... read more
The instinct of beneficence. In introduction, note the place given to the occurrence of this miracle in the two parallel places, these two defining with accuracy what is left unalluded to by St. Matthew. Also comment on verse 17, comparing it with St. Peter's quotation, and noting St. Matthew's language as not that of the Septuagint. Reject all the lesser exegeses of the wonderful characterization of the Redeemer here given; such as fatigue of body through the late and prolonged work;... read more
Reciprocal ministries. Here we notice two things— I. THAT JESUS ACCEPTS THE MINISTRY OF HOSPITALITY . 1 . He accepted the hospitality of Peter. 2 . He will accept the hospitality of our hearts. II. THAT JESUS EXERCISES THE MINISTRY OF SALVATION . 1 . He healed all manner of diseases. 2 . He cast out the spirits with his word. 3 . These works denoted the Messiah. read more
And he touched her hand . Perhaps with her, as with the leper ( Matthew 8:3 ), the word alone would not have been enough. In both cases the faith seems to have been below that of the centurion. And the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them ; Revised Version. him , with manuscripts. Serving them all (parallel passages), and him in particular. If it were her own house this would be doubly natural (cf Luke 10:40 ). The change of tense (aorist to imperfect)... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 8:17
Verse 17 Matthew 8:17.That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet. This prediction has the appearance of being inappropriate, and even of being tortured into a meaning which it does not bear: for Isaiah does not there speak of miracles, but of the death of Christ, — and not of temporal benefits, but of spiritual and eternal grace. Now, what is undoubtedly spoken about the impurities of the soul, Matthew applies to bodily diseases. The solution is not difficult, if the... read more