Matthew 8:16-17
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Jesus didn't just heal sickness; He exercised authority over the spiritual realm, casting out demons with just a word, showing His power is absolute and immediate, not dependent on ritual or effort. The text emphasizes "all" who were sick were healed, underscoring His boundless compassion and capacity to meet every need.
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. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jesus' powerful healing of Simon's mother-in-law and a leper earlier that day, news of his abilities spread, drawing crowds as the Sabbath ended in the evening. People then brought numerous individuals oppressed by demons and other sicknesses, all of whom Jesus miraculously healed with just a word, demonstrating the overwhelming scope of his authority and compassion. This surge of healing, occurring as the Sabbath concluded and people felt free to seek his help, underscores the urgency and widespread need for his power.
Imagine facing overwhelming darkness, feeling utterly helpless. Now imagine a single word from someone bringing complete liberation. That's the kind of power we see in Jesus here.
Notice how Matthew emphasizes Jesus' method: "he cast out the spirits with his word." This wasn't a lengthy ritual or a complex incantation. It was Jesus speaking with divine authority, a word that carries the very power of creation.
A Unique Authority
Unlike the exorcists of his day who used elaborate formulas, Jesus simply spoke. This highlights His unique authority over the spiritual realm. His word wasn't just a suggestion; it was a command that spirits had to obey.
More Than Just Words
This wasn't empty rhetoric. His word was backed by divine power, instantly bringing freedom and peace to those tormented. It shows that Jesus' authority is not merely human; it's inherently divine.
It wasn't just demons Jesus dealt with. The text says He "healed all who were sick." This wasn't selective mercy; it was a sweeping, inclusive act of kindness.
Jesus didn't just have authority; He had compassion. As the evening closed in, and the Sabbath restrictions lifted, the crowds brought the sick and demon-possessed to Him.
A Comprehensive Healing Ministry
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The text states He "healed all who were sick." This wasn't a few here and there; it was a complete restoration for everyone brought to Him. It demonstrates the breadth of His mercy and His desire to bring wholeness.
A Glimpse of God's Heart
This act reveals the heart of God for humanity. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, embodied God's deep concern for suffering. He didn't turn anyone away, showing that His healing power is available to all who come to Him.
Why mention 'evening'? It wasn't just a time marker; it was a crucial moment where freedom met opportunity, signaling a new phase of Jesus' ministry.
The detail about "evening" isn't accidental. It carries significant meaning within the context of Jewish life and Jesus' ministry.
The End of the Sabbath
Many scholars note that this likely occurred on the evening after the Sabbath. For the Jewish people, the Sabbath was a holy day of rest, and traditional interpretations restricted healing on this day unless life was in immediate danger. As soon as the sun set and the Sabbath ended, people felt free to bring their afflicted loved ones to Jesus.
A New Beginning
This timing also symbolizes a transition. Jesus' powerful works, especially those performed after the Sabbath, demonstrated His authority and the dawning of a new era – the Kingdom of God breaking into the world. The evening marked not just the end of a day, but the continuation of Jesus' mission to bring healing and liberation.
Opportunity in Transition
Jesus was ready and willing to meet people's needs as soon as they could come. This highlights the importance of recognizing and seizing opportunities to experience God's goodness and to share His love with others.
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.
plērōthē · Greek Verb
To bring to completion or make actual that which was previously foretold or promised by God. In the NT, it signifies that Jesus is the culmination of God's redemptive plan in the OT.
astheneias · Greek Noun
The state of being mentally or physically unhealthy. In a biblical context, illness is often a consequence of the fallen world, and healing serves as a sign of the Kingdom's restoration.
ebastasen · Greek Verb
To carry a burden, specifically the burden of sin, suffering, or penalty. It is a substitutionary term indicating the taking upon oneself of another's affliction.
The healing described in Matthew 8:16 occurred at the close of the Sabbath day. This timing highlights Jesus' authority over Jewish law and tradition, as people waited for the Sabbath to officially end before bringing the sick and demon-possessed to Him.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus begins public ministry
Jesus commences His public ministry in Galilee after His baptism and temptation, calling disciples and teaching with authority.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus teaches in the synagogue
During a Sabbath day in a synagogue, likely in Capernaum, Jesus powerfully heals a man possessed by an unclean spirit, astonishing the crowd.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law
Jesus enters Peter's house and heals his mother-in-law who was suffering from a fever. This event is recounted by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Early 1st century AD
Sabbath ends at sunset
According to Jewish tradition and Leviticus 23:32, the Sabbath day concluded at sunset. This marked a time when work, including bringing the sick for healing, was permitted.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Crowds bring the sick and demon-possessed
As evening fell and the Sabbath ended, large crowds gathered at the door where Jesus was staying, bringing many who were oppressed by demons or suffering from various illnesses.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus heals many by His word
Jesus powerfully casts out spirits with a mere word and heals all the sick who were brought to Him, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus departs for other towns
Following the day's intense ministry, Jesus withdraws to a desolate place to pray, then resolves to preach in other towns as well, fulfilling His mission.
This passage directly connects to Matthew 8:16 through Isaiah's prophecy that the Suffering Servant would 'bear our griefs and carry our sorrows,' which Matthew applies to Jesus healing the sick and oppressed.
Luke 4:40-41This parallel account in Luke highlights Jesus' extensive healing ministry, emphasizing that 'all who had any who were sick... laid his hands on each of them and healed them. And also demons came out of many...' mirroring the scope of Matthew's description.
Acts 10:38This New Testament passage describes Jesus as the one 'whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him,' directly reflecting the actions in Matthew 8:16.
1 Peter 2:24This verse in Peter's letter states that Christ 'himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed,' echoing the idea that Jesus' suffering and sacrifice bring healing, a concept fulfilled in His miracles.
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…
Jesus didn't just heal sickness; He exercised authority over the spiritual realm, casting out demons with just a word, showing His power is absolute and immediate, not dependent on ritual or effort. The text emphasizes "all" who were sick were healed, underscoring His boundless compassion and capacity to meet every need.
Following Jesus' powerful healing of Simon's mother-in-law and a leper earlier that day, news of his abilities spread, drawing crowds as the Sabbath ended in the evening. People then brought numerous individuals oppressed by demons and other sicknesses, all of whom Jesus miraculously healed with just a word, demonstrating the overwhelming scope of his authority and compassion. This surge of healing, occurring as the Sabbath concluded and people felt free to seek his help, underscores the urgency and widespread need for his power.
Following Jesus' powerful healing of Simon's mother-in-law and a leper earlier that day, news of his abilities spread, drawing crowds as the Sabbath ended in the evening. People then brought numerous individuals oppressed by demons and other sicknesses, all of whom Jesus miraculously healed with just a word, demonstrating the overwhelming scope of his authority and compassion. This surge of healing, occurring as the Sabbath concluded and people felt free to seek his help, underscores the urgency and widespread need for his 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. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseas…" — Jesus didn't just heal sickness; He exercised authority over the spiritual realm, casting out demons with just a word, showing His power is absolute and immediate, not dependent on ritual or effort.…
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Last reviewed October 2026
