Matthew 8:3–22 (NKJV)
The Passage
8 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.”
The Cost of Discipleship
20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
The Passage Context
This chapter of Matthew highlights the authority of Jesus over physical disease, social boundaries, and spiritual commitment. It transitions from the "Sermon on the Mount" into a series of miracles that demonstrate the practical application of His teachings.
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Matthew 8:3: Jesus reaches out to a leper—an act that was socially and religiously forbidden—and commands healing.
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Matthew 8:5–13: A Roman Centurion displays faith that exceeds that of Israel, recognizing that Jesus has authority over distance and nature.
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Matthew 8:18–22: Jesus sets the standard for discipleship, famously telling a follower to prioritize the Kingdom over earthly family obligations.
Translation Comparison
| Verse | King James Version (KJV) | New International Version (NIV) | English Standard Version (ESV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| v. 3 | "...I will; be thou clean." | "...I am willing; be clean!" | "...I will; be clean." |
| v. 8 | "...speak the word only..." | "...just say the word..." | "...only say the word..." |
| v. 20 | "...hath not where to lay his head." | "...has no place to lay his head." | "...has nowhere to lay his head." |
| v. 22 | "...let the dead bury their dead." | "...let the dead bury their own dead." | "...leave the dead to bury their own dead." |
Discovering the Nuance
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The Authority of the Word: In verse 8, the Centurion’s request highlights a specific type of faith that doesn't require physical presence. Most translations maintain this literal "word" (logos).
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The Cost of Following: Verse 22 is a "hard saying." While most translate it literally, the NLT often interprets "dead" as "spiritually dead" for modern clarity.
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Willingness vs. Desire: In verse 3, the Greek thelō is translated as "I will" (KJV/ESV) or "I am willing" (NIV), emphasizing compassion.
This video provides a visual and historical context for the interaction between Jesus and the Roman officer.