Matthew 8:2 kjv

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Matthew 8:2 nkjv

And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

Matthew 8:2 niv

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

Matthew 8:2 esv

And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean."

Matthew 8:2 nlt

Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. "Lord," the man said, "if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean."

Matthew 8 verses

Matthew 8 2 Meaning

Matthew 8:2 describes a powerful moment of faith and divine encounter. A man suffering from leprosy, an outcast in society due to his debilitating disease and ceremonial impurity, approaches Jesus with remarkable humility and faith. He kneels before Jesus, acknowledging His unique authority and power, expressing absolute certainty in Jesus' ability to make him clean, yet leaving the outcome to Jesus' compassionate will. This verse establishes Jesus' authority not only over disease but also over ritual impurity, demonstrating His willingness to extend mercy and restore those considered defiled.

Matthew 8 2 Context

Matthew 8:2 immediately follows Jesus' climactic Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), where He taught with unparalleled authority, interpreting and expanding the Law of Moses. The people were astonished at His teaching, for "he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes" (Mt 7:29). Chapter 8 then seamlessly transitions to demonstrate Jesus' authority through powerful deeds. This healing of the leper is the first miracle presented in this series, immediately signaling that Jesus' authority is not just in words but in power over sickness, sin, and even ceremonial uncleanness. In Jewish society, a leper was severely isolated, ceremonially unclean according to Mosaic Law (Leviticus 13-14), and unable to participate in religious or social life. Contact with a leper rendered others unclean. For this leper to approach Jesus, and for Jesus to potentially interact with him, was profoundly counter-cultural and demonstrated extraordinary compassion and divine authority.

Matthew 8 2 Word analysis

• And behold (καὶ ἰδοὺ, kai idou): This phrase, frequent in Matthew, is an exclamation that draws immediate attention to what follows. It emphasizes the remarkable, often unexpected, nature of the event about to unfold, creating a sense of dramatic suddenness. It signals something truly noteworthy.
• a leper (λεπρὸς, lepros): This refers to a person afflicted with leprosy, a term often encompassing various skin diseases, not just modern Hansen's disease. Biblically, leprosy rendered a person ceremonially "unclean" (Lev 13-14), requiring segregation from the community. They were living symbols of decay, impurity, and even a form of spiritual death, effectively excommunicated from temple worship and social interaction. His presence signified great courage and desperate need.
• came (προσελθὼν, proselthōn): This indicates a deliberate act of drawing near. The leper actively approached Jesus, defying social norms and the very laws that isolated him, driven by immense hope and desperation.
• and knelt before Him (προσεκύνει αὐτῷ, prosekunei autō): This act is one of deep reverence, humility, and submission. Proskynesis (from which prosekunei is derived) literally means to prostrate oneself or to kiss the ground, often performed before kings, deities, or those acknowledged to possess divine authority. Here, it signifies the leper's recognition of Jesus' exceptional status and power, akin to worship or profound veneration.
• saying (λέγων, legōn): The direct address shows a personal, bold, yet deferential appeal.
• “Lord (Κύριε, Kyrie): While Kyrios can simply mean 'Sir,' in this context, coupled with the act of kneeling, it signifies a deeper recognition of Jesus' unique power and authority, transcending a mere respectful address. It hints at His divine nature.
• if You are willing (ἐὰν θέλῃς, ean thelēs): This phrase perfectly encapsulates profound faith alongside deep humility. The leper is not doubting Jesus' ability (power) but humbly deferring to His will (desire or choice). It shows complete trust that if Jesus chooses to act, He can. It is a plea born of dependence, not of dictation.
• You can make me clean.” (δύνασαι με καθαρίσαι, dynasai me katharisai): This declares absolute certainty in Jesus' power. The term katharisai ("to make clean") is highly significant. It implies more than just physical healing; it refers to ceremonial purification from the uncleanness associated with leprosy, allowing re-entry into society and religious life. The leper believed Jesus possessed the authority not merely to cure the disease, but to undo its full societal and ritual implications.

Matthew 8 2 Bonus section

The positioning of this miracle directly after the Sermon on the Mount is crucial in Matthew's narrative. Having established Jesus' authority in teaching, Matthew immediately follows by showing His authority in action. This sequence systematically reveals Jesus as the Messiah who not only speaks with divine wisdom but also wields divine power. Furthermore, while Matthew 8:2 doesn't explicitly state it, the parallel accounts (e.g., Mk 1:41) mention that Jesus touched the leper. This act, though seemingly simple, was a profound transgression of the Levitical Law for anyone else, as touching a leper would render the person unclean. However, when Jesus touched him, the defilement did not spread to Jesus; rather, Jesus' purity flowed into the leper, instantly making him clean. This signifies Jesus' absolute dominion over impurity and disease, demonstrating that He is the source of all cleansing, not subject to ritual defilement Himself. This was a clear polemic against the strict religious rules that kept the marginalized isolated, showcasing Jesus' boundless compassion that transcends ceremonial law.

Matthew 8 2 Commentary

Matthew 8:2 paints a vivid picture of divine encounter with human need. The leper's courageous approach highlights his profound desperation and a daring faith that surmounted immense social and religious barriers. His kneeling, a gesture of profound respect or worship, reveals a deeper understanding of Jesus' unique identity and power. The carefully chosen words, "If You are willing, You can make me clean," are a masterclass in faithful humility. He presents no doubt regarding Jesus' power (expressed as "You can") but instead submits fully to Jesus' compassionate will ("If You are willing"). This reflects an understanding that true healing, particularly from such an all-encompassing affliction like leprosy, flowed not from a mere display of power, but from a heart of mercy and a divine prerogative to restore. Jesus' immediate response in the subsequent verse (Mat 8:3) —"I am willing; be cleansed"— affirms this complete confidence, demonstrating His compassion and sovereign authority over sickness and sin, fulfilling the expectation of a Messiah who cleanses and restores. The significance extends beyond physical healing, symbolizing Jesus' power to cleanse individuals from the spiritual leprosy of sin and impurity, making them acceptable to God and reintegrating them into His community.