Matthew 8:1

¶ When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

When {G1161} he {G846} was come down {G2597} from {G575} the mountain {G3735}, great {G4183} multitudes {G3793} followed {G190} him {G846}.

After Yeshua had come down from the hill, large crowds followed him.

When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.

And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

Commentary

Matthew 8:1 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, immediately following Jesus' extensive public discourse known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). The phrase "when he was come down from the mountain" signifies the conclusion of His teaching on that elevated ground, where He had delivered profound spiritual truths to His disciples and a vast audience. The subsequent statement, "great multitudes followed him," highlights the immense impact of His words and the growing public interest in His person and message. This verse sets the stage for the powerful demonstrations of Jesus' authority through healing and miracles, beginning immediately with the healing of the leper in the very next verse.

Key Themes

  • Transition from Teaching to Action: This verse marks a significant shift in Matthew's narrative from Jesus' verbal instruction to the practical display of His divine power. The authority He demonstrated in His teaching (Matthew 7:29) is now about to be manifested through miraculous deeds, validating His claims and message.
  • Jesus' Popularity and Influence: The description of "great multitudes" underscores the widespread fame and magnetic appeal of Jesus. People were drawn to Him not only by the wisdom of His words but also by the hope of tangible help and deliverance from their afflictions, anticipating the miracles to come.
  • The Nature of Following: The act of "following him" is central to discipleship in the Gospels. While some in these multitudes were merely curious onlookers, others were genuinely seeking Him, representing the diverse responses to Jesus' ministry. This highlights the initial steps of commitment, moving from hearing to actively pursuing His presence.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated as "great multitudes" is ochloi polloi (ὄχλοι πολλοί), which literally means "many crowds" or "numerous throngs." This emphasizes the sheer volume and diversity of people who were drawn to Jesus. It implies that His ministry was not confined to a small, elite group but had a broad, public reach, attracting people from all walks of life. This term differentiates the general public from the specific group of His chosen disciples.

Practical Application

Matthew 8:1 serves as a powerful reminder that true faith involves more than just intellectual assent to Jesus' teachings; it calls for active engagement and following. Just as the crowds were compelled to follow Jesus after hearing His profound words, we are called to let our understanding of His truth lead us to walk in His ways and pursue His presence. This verse encourages us to consider whether our learning about Christ translates into a deeper commitment to follow Him in our daily lives, trusting in His authority and power to transform situations, just as He did for those who followed Him down from the mountain.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 8:18 (6 votes)

    ¶ Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.

  • Matthew 4:25 (5 votes)

    And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and [from] Decapolis, and [from] Jerusalem, and [from] Judaea, and [from] beyond Jordan.

  • Matthew 5:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

  • Matthew 20:29 (2 votes)

    ¶ And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

  • Mark 3:7 (2 votes)

    But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

  • Luke 5:15 (2 votes)

    But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

  • Matthew 19:2 (2 votes)

    And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.