That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is how Jesus didn't use elaborate rituals or even a touch for the demon-possessed; He simply spoke, demonstrating the absolute authority of God's Word. This contrasts sharply with other healings, highlighting His unique power over spiritual darkness itself.
That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage immediately follows Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law and occurs as the Sabbath day is ending. As the sun sets, signifying the end of the Sabbath, crowds bring many people suffering from demonic possession and various illnesses to Jesus. He effortlessly casts out the spirits with a simple command and heals every single person brought to him, fulfilling prophecies about his suffering and healing power.
Imagine a world where a single sentence could change everything. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus does just that.
In Matthew 8:16, we see Jesus casting out demons "with a word." This wasn't just any word; it was a word of absolute authority. Unlike the lengthy incantations or rituals others used to try and expel spirits, Jesus spoke, and it was done. This highlights His unique power and divine authority – He didn't need tools or methods; His spoken word was enough to bring about supernatural change. It reveals that Jesus's power isn't derived from external sources, but from His very being as the Son of God.
This simple act of speaking demonstrates a profound truth about God's creative and redemptive power. His word brought the universe into existence, and His word brings order and wholeness to a broken world. When He speaks, reality shifts. This is a testament to the authority He wields over all of creation, including the spiritual realm.
When evening fell, a desperate crowd gathered. What was Jesus's response to their suffering?
Matthew 8:16 tells us that Jesus "healed all who were sick." The word "all" is powerful here. It signifies a complete and unrestricted compassion. Regardless of the severity or type of illness, Jesus's power extended to every single person brought to Him. This wasn't about making a select few better; it was about bringing wholeness to everyone in need.
This boundless healing showcases Jesus's deep empathy for humanity's suffering. The Gospel writers emphasize that Jesus didn't turn anyone away. This act of healing "all" is a profound demonstration of God's heart for the broken and afflicted. It points to a future where all suffering will be eradicated through Christ's redemptive work.
Ask a follow-up
Why wait until evening to bring the sick? The timing of this event reveals something important about Jesus's mission.
The scholars note that this healing likely occurred on the evening after the Sabbath. According to Jewish tradition, the Sabbath lasted from sunset to sunset. During the Sabbath, carrying the sick or performing healing acts that might be construed as work was restricted.
However, the moment the Sabbath ended, people immediately brought the afflicted to Jesus. This highlights a crucial point: Jesus's mission of healing and deliverance transcends human regulations and traditions that hinder compassion. He came to bring freedom and restoration, demonstrating that God's love and mercy are not bound by rigid rules, especially when it comes to alleviating suffering. His work is a demonstration of the new covenant, where life and healing are paramount.
Understand the original words
daimonizomenous · Greek Participle (Present Passive)
A collective term for individuals possessed or controlled by evil spiritual entities, manifesting in physical, mental, or spiritual suffering. It emphasizes the reality of the demonic realm and Jesus' authority over it.
exebalen · Greek Verb
The act of commanding, forcing, or expelling spiritual powers out of a person. It demonstrates Jesus' supreme power over the kingdom of darkness.
The timing of this healing event, occurring immediately after the Sabbath concluded, highlights how Jesus' ministry often pushed against restrictive human interpretations of God's law, emphasizing compassion and healing over rigid observance.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus begins public ministry
After His baptism and temptation, Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee, calling disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of God.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus heals man with unclean spirit
Jesus casts out an unclean spirit in the synagogue at Capernaum, astonishing the people with His authoritative teaching and power.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus heals Simon Peter's mother-in-law
Jesus enters Simon Peter's house and heals his mother-in-law, who was suffering from a fever. This occurs on the Sabbath.
Early 1st century AD
Sabbath ends at sunset
The Jewish Sabbath lasts from sunset to sunset. As the Sabbath ends, the restrictions on healing and carrying the sick are lifted.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Crowds bring the sick and demon-possessed
As soon as the Sabbath ends, crowds gather at the door of Peter's house, bringing many who are oppressed by demons and sick. Jesus heals them all with His word.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus withdraws to pray and preach
The next morning, Jesus departs to a desolate place to pray. When found by His disciples and the crowds, He insists on continuing His ministry to other towns.
This passage is directly alluded to in Matthew 8:17, showing that Jesus' healing of sickness and oppression was a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy about the Suffering Servant bearing our griefs and sorrows.
Mark 1:32-34This parallel account in Mark describes the same event, highlighting that 'all the city was gathered at the door' and Jesus healed 'many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons,' emphasizing the widespread need and Jesus' comprehensive power.
Luke 4:40-41Luke's narrative also covers this event, emphasizing Jesus laying his hands on individuals to heal them and casting out demons, who 'cried out, 'You are the Christ, the Son of God!' This shows the divine identity Jesus revealed through his healings.
Psalm 107:20This psalm speaks of God sending 'his word and healed them,' mirroring how Jesus' authoritative word in Matthew 8:16 cast out spirits and healed the sick, demonstrating God's power working through Him.
Matthew 12:28Jesus states, 'But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.' This connects the act of casting out demons directly to the inauguration of God's kingdom, which Jesus powerfully displayed in Matthew 8:16.
bensonMatthew 8:16: "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:"
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, whic…
calvinMatthew 8:14-18: "And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever."
- And when Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed, and afflicted with fever. 15. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose and waited on them. 16. And when the evening had approached, they brought to him many demoniacs, and he cast out the spirits by his word, and healed all that were diseased: 17. That it might be fulfilled…
What's easy to miss is how Jesus didn't use elaborate rituals or even a touch for the demon-possessed; He simply spoke, demonstrating the absolute authority of God's Word. This contrasts sharply with other healings, highlighting His unique power over spiritual darkness itself.
This passage immediately follows Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law and occurs as the Sabbath day is ending. As the sun sets, signifying the end of the Sabbath, crowds bring many people suffering from demonic possession and various illnesses to Jesus. He effortlessly casts out the spirits with a simple command and heals every single person brought to him, fulfilling prophecies about his suffering and healing power.
This passage immediately follows Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law and occurs as the Sabbath day is ending. As the sun sets, signifying the end of the Sabbath, crowds bring many people suffering from demonic possession and various illnesses to Jesus. He effortlessly casts out the spirits with a simple command and heals every single person brought to him, fulfilling prophecies about his suffering and healing power.
"That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick." — What's easy to miss is how Jesus didn't use elaborate rituals or even a touch for the demon-possessed; He simply spoke, demonstrating the absolute authority of God's Word. This contrasts sharply with…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026