Matthew 8:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then a man afflicted with tzara`at came, kneeled down in front of him and said, "Sir, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

Berean Standard Bible:

Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532}, behold^{G2400}, there came^{G2064} a leper^{G3015} and worshipped^{G4352} him^{G846}, saying^{G3004}, Lord^{G2962}, if^{G1437} thou wilt^{G2309}, thou canst^{G1410} make^{G2511} me^{G3165} clean^{G2511}.

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Commentary for Matthew 8:2

Matthew 8:2 is part of a narrative in the New Testament that illustrates Jesus' ministry of healing and compassion. The verse is set during the early part of Jesus' public life, as he is traveling and teaching in the region of Galilee. In the historical context of the time, leprosy was a term used for various skin diseases, all of which carried significant social stigma. Those afflicted were considered ritually unclean and were often ostracized from society, required to live apart from others, and were excluded from religious and social life.

The leper's approach to Jesus demonstrates deep faith and desperation. By coming to Jesus, the leper is taking a significant risk, not only because of his ritual impurity but also because approaching Jesus in a public space could have led to his expulsion or punishment for potentially spreading his disease. His act of worshipping Jesus is a sign of reverence and acknowledgment of Jesus' authority and power. The leper's plea, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean," reflects his belief in Jesus' ability to heal him and his humility in submitting to Jesus' will.

This verse touches on several key themes: the power of faith, the importance of humility before God, and the inclusive nature of Jesus' mission to bring healing and restoration to the marginalized and outcast. It also highlights the contrast between the religious laws of the time, which would have kept the leper at a distance, and Jesus' willingness to engage with those who were suffering and excluded. Jesus' subsequent actions in healing the leper (as described in the following verses) further emphasize his role as a healer and redeemer, fulfilling messianic expectations and signaling the in-breaking of God's kingdom, where the last shall be first and the outcasts shall be welcomed.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G2400
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἰδού
   Transliteration: idoú
   Pronunciation: id-oo'
   Description: second person singular imperative middle voice of εἴδω; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2064
   There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔρχομαι
   Transliteration: érchomai
   Pronunciation: el'-tho
   Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3015
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λεπρός
   Transliteration: leprós
   Pronunciation: lep-ros'
   Description: from the same as λέπρα; scaly, i.e. leprous (a leper):--leper.
   
5. Strong's Number: G4352
   There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: προσκυνέω
   Transliteration: proskynéō
   Pronunciation: pros-koo-neh'-o
   Description: from πρός and a probable derivative of κύων (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore):--worship.
   
6. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1437
   There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐάν
   Transliteration: eán
   Pronunciation: eh-an'
   Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2309
    There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θέλω
    Transliteration: thélō
    Pronunciation: eth-el-eh'-o
    Description: apparently strengthened from the alternate form of αἱρέομαι; to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas βούλομαι properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in:--desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)).
    
11. Strong's Number: G1410
    There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δύναμαι
    Transliteration: dýnamai
    Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
    Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2511
    There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καθαρίζω
    Transliteration: katharízō
    Pronunciation: kath-ar-id'-zo
    Description: from καθαρός; to cleanse (literally or figuratively):--(make) clean(-se), purge, purify.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3165
    There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μέ
    Transliteration: mé
    Pronunciation: meh
    Description: a shorter (and probably original) form of ἐμέ; me:--I, me, my.