Matthew 8:17

KJV

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.

KJV (with Strong's)

That it might {G3704} be fulfilled {G4137} which was spoken {G4483} by {G1223} Esaias {G2268} the prophet {G4396}, saying {G3004}, Himself {G846} took {G2983} our {G2257} infirmities {G769}, and {G2532} bare {G941} our sicknesses {G3554}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This was done to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Yesha`yahu, "He himself took our weaknesses and bore our diseases"

Berean Standard Bible

This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.”

American Standard Version

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 8:17 serves as a pivotal interpretive statement, revealing that Jesus' extensive healing ministry—demonstrated throughout the preceding verses—was a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically from Isaiah. This verse underscores Jesus' divine authority and profound compassion, establishing His identity as the promised Messiah who not only heals physical ailments but also intimately bears the weight of human suffering, foreshadowing His ultimate redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 8:17 concludes a significant section of Jesus' miraculous healings, beginning with the cleansing of a leper in [Matthew 8:1-4](/matthew/8-1-4 "The Healing of a Leper"). This is immediately followed by the healing of the centurion's servant from a distance in [Matthew 8:5-13](/matthew/8-5-13 "The Healing of the Centurion's Servant"), showcasing Jesus' authority over disease and His recognition of faith beyond Israel. The narrative then shifts to Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law of a fever in [Matthew 8:14-15](/matthew/8-14-15 "Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law"), and subsequently, a multitude of demon-possessed and sick individuals in [Matthew 8:16](/matthew/8-16 "Jesus Heals Many at Evening"). Matthew's placement of this prophetic fulfillment at the end of these accounts emphasizes that these powerful acts were not random displays but deliberate manifestations of Jesus' Messianic identity, aligning His actions with the long-awaited promises of God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish culture, sickness and disease were often perceived as direct consequences of sin, demonic oppression, or divine judgment, as seen in various Old Testament accounts and rabbinic traditions. This perspective often led to social ostracization for the afflicted, compounding their physical suffering with spiritual and communal burdens. The expectation of the Messiah included the hope for a new era of divine intervention, often associated with healing and restoration. Matthew, writing primarily to a Jewish audience, strategically frames Jesus' healing ministry within this context, demonstrating that Jesus was fulfilling the very prophecies that spoke of such a restorative work. By quoting Isaiah, Matthew connects Jesus' physical healings directly to the Suffering Servant passages, which, while primarily pointing to spiritual atonement, were understood by some to also encompass physical restoration.

* **Key Themes:** The explicit quotation in [Matthew 8:17](/matthew/8-17 "Matthew 8:17 - Jesus Fulfills Prophecy Through Healing") highlights the overarching theme of **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, a cornerstone of Matthew's Gospel. He consistently presents Jesus as the culmination of Old Testament expectations, validating His Messianic claims. This verse also powerfully showcases **Jesus' Compassion and Authority Over Sickness**. His willingness to touch the untouchable (the leper), respond to the plea of a Gentile (the centurion), and tirelessly heal countless individuals demonstrates a profound empathy that transcends social and religious boundaries. Furthermore, the language of "took" and "bare" introduces the theme of **Substitutionary Bearing**, hinting at the deeper theological reality of Jesus not merely curing but personally identifying with and carrying the burdens of human suffering. While the ultimate fulfillment of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant") points to Christ's bearing of sin on the cross, Matthew applies this specific aspect of the prophecy to Jesus' physical healing ministry, illustrating the comprehensive nature of His redemptive work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Greek, _lambánō_):** This verb signifies an active taking or laying hold of something, often with the implication of receiving or acquiring. In this context, it suggests Jesus' deliberate and active engagement with human infirmities, not merely observing them but personally taking them upon Himself. It implies a voluntary assumption of burdens.
* **infirmities (Greek, _asthéneia_):** This term denotes feebleness, weakness, or frailty, encompassing both physical and moral disabilities. It speaks to the general state of human weakness and vulnerability to disease. Matthew uses this broader term to indicate that Jesus bore the full spectrum of human frailty, not just specific diseases.
* **bare (Greek, _bastázō_):** This word means to lift, carry, or endure. It conveys the idea of sustaining or taking up a burden. Paired with "took," it emphasizes the ongoing and weighty nature of Jesus' action—He not only took the infirmities but also sustained the burden of them, demonstrating a profound identification with suffering humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,"**: This introductory clause is characteristic of Matthew's Gospel, serving as a "fulfillment formula." It explicitly states that Jesus' actions are not coincidental but are the divine outworking of God's plan, precisely as foretold centuries earlier by the prophet Isaiah. This linkage firmly establishes Jesus' Messianic identity and divine purpose.
* **"Himself took our infirmities,"**: This phrase highlights Jesus' personal and active involvement in the suffering of humanity. The emphatic "Himself" (Greek: _autós_) underscores that it was Jesus, and no other, who voluntarily and directly engaged with and assumed the weaknesses and frailties of humanity. This "taking" is not merely a removal of sickness but a profound identification with the human condition in its vulnerability.
* **"and bare [our] sicknesses."**: This parallel clause reinforces and expands upon the previous one. "Bare" (Greek: _bastázō_) conveys the idea of carrying a heavy load, suggesting not just the removal of disease but the enduring of its weight. The pairing of "infirmities" (general weaknesses) and "sicknesses" (specific diseases) indicates the comprehensive nature of what Jesus bore. Matthew applies Isaiah's prophecy, which primarily speaks of bearing sins, to Jesus' physical healing ministry, showing that the Messiah's redemptive work encompasses both spiritual and physical restoration.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 8:17 is rich in literary devices, primarily **Quotation and Allusion**. The verse directly quotes [Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Infirmities"), a pivotal passage from the "Suffering Servant" songs. Matthew's use of this Old Testament prophecy serves as a **Fulfillment Formula**, a recurring literary motif in his Gospel, which explicitly connects Jesus' life and ministry to God's ancient promises, thereby validating Jesus' Messianic claims for his Jewish audience. The structure of the quoted phrase, "Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses," employs **Parallelism**, where two clauses express similar ideas in a balanced way, intensifying the meaning of Jesus' actions. The repetition of the idea of "bearing" or "taking" human suffering emphasizes the profundity of His empathy and the comprehensive nature of His redemptive work. The use of "Himself" provides **Emphasis**, drawing attention to Jesus' unique and personal role in this act of burden-bearing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 8:17 profoundly connects Jesus' physical healing ministry to the broader theological themes of the Suffering Servant and the comprehensive nature of salvation. By quoting Isaiah 53:4, Matthew asserts that Jesus' acts of healing were not merely compassionate miracles but integral components of His Messianic mission, demonstrating His willingness to enter into and bear the full weight of human suffering—physical, emotional, and spiritual. This foreshadows His ultimate act of bearing the sins of humanity on the cross, revealing a God who intimately identifies with and redeems His people from every aspect of the curse. The verse thus bridges the gap between physical restoration and spiritual redemption, presenting Jesus as the holistic Savior.

* [Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Infirmities")
* [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins on the Cross")
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Sympathizes with Our Weaknesses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 8:17 offers profound comfort and a deeper understanding of Jesus' character and mission. It reveals a Savior who is not distant from our pain but intimately acquainted with it. When we face sickness, weakness, or any form of suffering, this verse reminds us that Jesus has already entered into and borne the weight of such burdens. His healing ministry was not just about demonstrating power, but about embodying divine compassion and fulfilling God's redemptive plan. This truth provides immense hope, assuring us that our infirmities are not beyond His understanding or His redemptive reach. While not every physical ailment is healed in this life, we can trust in His sovereign care and the ultimate promise of complete restoration in the new heavens and new earth. Moreover, it calls us to emulate His compassion, actively seeking to alleviate suffering in the world around us, knowing that we serve a God who "took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' willingness to "take" and "bear" our infirmities deepen your understanding of His empathy and love for humanity?**
* **In what ways does this verse provide comfort and hope when you or loved ones are experiencing physical or emotional suffering?**
* **How might understanding Jesus as the "burden-bearer" influence your prayers for healing and your perspective on suffering?**
* **What practical steps can you take to reflect Jesus' compassion for those who are sick or struggling in your community?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 8:17 mean that all sickness will be healed by Jesus in this life?**

Answer: While [Matthew 8:17](/matthew/8-17 "Matthew 8:17 - Jesus Fulfills Prophecy Through Healing") clearly demonstrates Jesus' power and willingness to heal, and that His bearing of infirmities was a fulfillment of prophecy, it does not guarantee immediate physical healing for every sickness in this present life. Matthew's application of [Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Infirmities") to Jesus' healing ministry shows that His redemptive work encompasses a holistic restoration—spiritual, physical, and emotional. However, the ultimate, complete eradication of all sickness and suffering is reserved for the new heavens and new earth, as described in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death, Mourning, Crying, or Pain"). In the meantime, believers can pray for healing with confidence in Jesus' compassion and sovereignty, knowing that He has power over all infirmity, even if His perfect will for complete healing may not always manifest in our current temporal experience.

**How does Matthew's use of Isaiah 53:4 relate to its original context?**

Answer: In its original context, [Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant Bears Our Infirmities") is part of the Suffering Servant song, which primarily describes the Servant's vicarious suffering for the sins of His people. The Hebrew words for "griefs" and "sorrows" (often translated as "infirmities" and "sicknesses" in the Septuagint and Matthew) primarily refer to the spiritual and moral burdens of sin and its consequences. Matthew, guided by the Holy Spirit, applies this prophecy to Jesus' physical healing ministry, showing that the Messiah's redemptive work is comprehensive. While the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah 53 is Christ's atoning sacrifice for sin on the cross (as seen in [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins on the Cross")), Matthew highlights that Jesus' physical healings were an initial, tangible manifestation of His burden-bearing mission. They were signs of the coming Kingdom, where all the effects of the Fall, including sickness, would ultimately be undone. Thus, Matthew's application is not a misinterpretation but an inspired expansion, revealing the breadth of the Messiah's redemptive scope.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 8:17 stands as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, demonstrating that Jesus is the long-awaited Suffering Servant of [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). While Isaiah's prophecy primarily foretold the Servant's bearing of spiritual sins, Matthew, through divine inspiration, reveals that Jesus' physical healing ministry was a tangible, initial manifestation of this same burden-bearing work. By "taking our infirmities and bearing our sicknesses," Jesus not only relieved immediate physical suffering but also foreshadowed His ultimate act of atonement on the cross, where He bore the full weight of humanity's sin and its consequences, including the root cause of all suffering. This connection highlights Jesus as the comprehensive Savior, whose redemptive work encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of human need. His compassion in healing the sick points forward to His ultimate victory over sin and death, guaranteeing a future where, as promised in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death, Mourning, Crying, or Pain"), "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Thus, Matthew 8:17 is a powerful testament to Jesus' Messianic identity and the holistic nature of His redemptive mission, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, which secured eternal life and ultimate freedom from all infirmity for those who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 53:4

¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Matthew 1:22

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Matthew 2:23

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Matthew 2:15

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.