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
Parallel passages: Mark 1:32-34 ; Luke 4:40 . When the even was come; Revised Version, and when even- According to the original connexion, preserved, as it seems, in Mark and Luke, this was the evening of the day in which our Lord had healed the man with the withered hand in the synagogue. Probably, therefore, the day had been a sabbath. But with the setting sun (parallel passage in Luke), or rather, according to Talmudic teaching, when three stars were visible after sunset ( vide ... read more
The great number of his miracles , and the secret of his performing them. read more
The sympathy of Christ. He has finished a long day's work, and has gone into the house for rest. Even there he finds work to do, and he heals Peter's wife's mother. Meanwhile a crowd is collecting at the door. They have brought their sick from all quarters, and Jesus cannot let them come in vain. Tired as he is, he goes forth to them and heals them nit. So touching a proof at once of the people's need and of Christ's sympathetic help leads the evangelist to see a fulfilment of the ancient... read more
Matthew only. A summary statement of Christ's relation to diseases. That it might be fulfilled ( ὅπως πληρωθῇ ); Matthew 2:23 , note. Which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses; diseases (Revised Version); Isaiah lilt. 4, from the Hebrew. Took ( ἔλαβεν ) regards the transference, the assumption; bare ( ἐβάστασεν ), the oppressiveness; infirmities , negative; diseases , positive. St. Matthew in... read more
Bearing others' woes by sympathy. "Himself took our infirmities, anti bare our sicknesses." The evangelist is here pointing out that our Lord actually suffered with those who suffered. His power to heal was directly connected with his power to sympathize; and such sympathizing was necessarily followed by extreme weariness and physical exhaustion. If we can get a true and worthy idea of the way in which our Lord bore the sufferings which he removed, we shall be in a fair way to understand... read more
When the even was come ... - The fame of the miracles of Jesus would probably draw together a crowd, and those who had friends that were afflicted would bring them. All that were brought to him he healed. This was proof of two things: first, of his great benevolence; and, secondly, of his divine mission. He might have established the latter by miracles that would do no good. None of his miracles were performed, however, merely to make a display of power, unless the cursing of the barren... read more
That it might be fulfilled ... - This passage is found in Isaiah 53:4. Our English translation of that important passage is, “Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” The Greek in Matthew is an exact translation of the Hebrew, and the same translation should have been made in both places. In Isaiah 53:1-12, Isaiah fully states the doctrine of the atonement, or that the Messiah was to suffer for sin. In the verse quoted here, however, he states the very truth which Matthew... read more
Matthew 8:16-17. When even was come, they brought unto him many, &c. The news of this miracle being spread through the town, those who had sick relations or friends resolved to apply to Jesus for a cure. Only, because it was the sabbath, they did not come immediately to him. They waited till the holy rest was ended, which, according to the Jewish form of the day, was at sunsetting, at which time, according to Mark 1:32, and Luke 4:40, they brought the sick in great numbers to him: and... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 8:14-17
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