Matthew 8

Jesus Shows His Power

1 When Jesus came down the mountain, a big crowd followed Him.

2 A man with leprosy came, knelt before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can heal me.”

3 Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I am willing. Be healed.” Instantly, he was clean.

4 Jesus told him, “Do not tell anyone. Just show the priest and give the offering Moses commanded as proof.”

5 In Capernaum, a Roman officer came to Jesus, asking for help.

6 He said, “Lord, my servant is at home, paralyzed and suffering.”

7 Jesus said, “I will come heal him.”

8 The officer replied, “I am not worthy to have You under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

9 “I understand authority, I give orders, and people obey. I know You have got that same power.”

10 Jesus was amazed. He said, “I have not seen faith like this in all of Israel!”

11 “People from everywhere will join God’s kingdom, while some who thought they belonged will miss out.”

12 “They will be thrown into darkness, crying and grinding their teeth.”

13 Jesus told the officer, “Go home. It will be done just as you believed.” And his servant was healed that moment.

14 Jesus went to Peter’s house and saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever.

15 He touched her hand, and the fever left. She got up and started serving them.

16 That evening, people brought Him many demon-possessed folks, and He cast the spirits out and healed everyone.

17 This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: “He took our sicknesses and carried our diseases.”

18 When Jesus saw the crowd, He told His crew to cross to the other side of the lake.

19 A teacher of the law said, “I will follow You wherever You go!”

20 Jesus replied, “Foxes got holes, birds got nests, but I got nowhere to lay My head.”

21 Another guy said, “I will follow You, but let me bury my dad first.”

22 Jesus said, “Let the dead bury their own dead.”

23 They got into a boat, and Jesus’ crew followed Him.

24 A crazy storm hit, waves crashing into the boat, but Jesus was knocked out, sleeping.

25 They woke Him, yelling, “Lord, save us! We are about to die!”

26 Jesus said, “You all have no faith. Why are you scared?” Then He calmed the storm, and everything was peaceful.

27 The crew was stunned. “Who is this guy, Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

28 When they got to Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men ran up from the tombs, screaming.

29 They yelled, “What do You want with us, Son of God? Are You here to torture us before the time?”

30 Some pigs were feeding nearby.

31 The demons begged, “If You cast us out, send us into the pigs.”

32 Jesus said, “Go!” The demons left and entered the pigs, who ran off a cliff into the water and drowned.

33 The pig herders ran to town and told everyone what happened.

34 The whole town came out, saw Jesus, and begged Him to leave their area.