Matthew 8:16 · Bible study
Matthew 8:16 Commentary: Evening Healings and Sabbath Release
Greek · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did the crowds wait until evening to bring the sick and demon-possessed? The answer reveals Sabbath customs and Jesus' authority.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus healed all the sick and delivered the demon-possessed on the evening after the Sabbath, demonstrating his divine authority and fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.
- Key words: opsias (evening, pointing to Sabbath end); logō (by a word, dative of instrument); etherapeusen (healed, aorist, completed action).
- Main debate: The reason for the evening timing, most commentators agree it was the Sabbath's end; a minority suggest practical considerations like the cool evening hour.
- Theological theme: Jesus is Lord over both physical disease and spiritual darkness, and his healings are a foretaste of the kingdom.
- Best use: A powerful text for sermons on Christ's authority, on the relationship between the law and grace, or on healing and deliverance ministry.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
WEB World English Bible 2000
When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
KJV King James Version 1769
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:
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And when even was come, they brought unto him many possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick:
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And evening having come, they brought to him many demoniacs, and he did cast out the spirits with a word, and did heal all who were ill,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And when the evening was come, they brought to him many possessed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were ill;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And when evening was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word: and all that were sick he healed:
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y como fué ya tarde, trajeron á él muchos endemoniados; y echó los demonios con la palabra, y sanó á todos los enfermos|strong="G2560, G2192";
Quando chegou o anoitecer, trouxeram-lhe muitos endemoninhados. Ele expulsou-lhes os espíritos com a palavra, e curou todos os que estavam doentes,
Le soir, on amena auprès de Jésus plusieurs démoniaques. Il chassa les esprits par sa parole, et il guérit tous les malades,
Am Abend aber brachten sie viele Besessene zu ihm; und er trieb die Geister aus mit Worten und machte allerlei Kranke gesund,
En als het laat geworden was, hebben zij velen, van den duivel bezeten, tot Hem gebracht, en Hij wierp de boze geesten uit met den woorde, en Hij genas allen, die kwalijk gesteld waren;
Poi, venuta la sera, gli presentarono molti indemoniati; ed egli, con la parola, scacciò gli spiriti e guarì tutti i malati,
A gdy był wieczór, przywiedli do niego wiele opętanych: i wyganiał duchy słowem; i wszystkie, którzy się źle mieli, uzdrawiał;
Когда же настал вечер, к Нему привели многих бесноватых, и Он изгнал духов словом и исцелил всех больных,
到了 晚上，有人帶著 許多 被鬼附的 來到耶穌跟前，他只用一句話 就 把鬼 都趕出去，並且 治好了 一切 有 病的人。
And in the evening, they took to him a number of people who had evil spirits; and he sent the spirits out of them with a word, and made well all who were ill;
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 8:16
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that the evening timing points directly to the Sabbath. Clarke, Barnes, and Gill each note that the Jews kept the Sabbath from evening to evening (Leviticus 23:32), so the sick and demon-possessed could not be carried out until after sunset. Barnes adds that Mark 1:21, 32 confirms this happened on the evening of the Sabbath. All three also highlight the completeness of Jesus' work: he cast out spirits with a word (λόγῳ, dative of instrument, emphasizing sheer authority) and healed every person brought to him. Matthew Henry connects this to Christ's care for Peter's family and his willingness to receive all who come. The verse is read as a compressed summary of divine power and compassion, with no healed person left behind.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus healed all the sick and demon-possessed who were brought to him on that evening, demonstrating his divine authority and compassion.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for evening timing | All consulted commentators (Clarke, Barnes, Gill, Henry) agree that the evening timing is tied to the end of the Sabbath, when it became lawful to carry the sick. | Gill specifically rejects the idea that it was simply the cool of the evening, while other traditions may consider both factors plausible. The main consensus is firmly the Sabbath. |
| Demoniac possession in Judea | Commentators agree that the Gospels present demon possession as real and prevalent in first-century Palestine. | Clarke, following Lightfoot, argues it resulted from widespread impiety and magic. Modern critical scholars sometimes interpret it as mental illness described in ancient terms, but the supplied sources assume a literal spiritual reality. |
| Extent of healing (all) | There is no disagreement that Jesus healed every person brought to him on that occasion. | Some question whether 'all that were sick' means every disease in the city or only those brought. The text is read as complete for those who came. |
Historical & Cultural Context
First-century Jews measured days from sunset to sunset. The Sabbath began at sundown on Friday and ended at sundown on Saturday. During the Sabbath, rabbinic tradition forbade carrying burdens, including sick people, outside the home. Luke 13:14 records a synagogue leader objecting to healing on the Sabbath. So the crowd waited for the Sabbath to end before bringing their afflicted to Jesus.
The location is Capernaum, a fishing village on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had made it his base, and Peter had a house there (Matthew 8:14). The healings recorded in verse 16 came immediately after Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law of a fever. News of that miracle drew a crowd once the Sabbath restriction lifted.
Demon possession was understood in Jewish thought as the result of sin or of inviting evil through practices like magic. Clarke, quoting Lightfoot, argues that Judea's widespread impiety and addiction to magic opened the door to demonic activity. Jesus' exorcisms by a mere word showed his authority over the spiritual realm, a point the Gospels emphasize repeatedly (Mark 1:27, Luke 4:36). The phrase with a word (λόγῳ) contrasts with the elaborate incantations of contemporary exorcists; Jesus simply spoke, and the spirits left.
Matthew's placement of this verse leads directly to the citation of Isaiah 53:4 in verse 17, framing the healings as a fulfillment of the Servant's mission to bear infirmities and diseases. The evening setting, then, is not incidental; it underscores that Jesus' ministry unfolded within the rhythms of Jewish law, yet transcended them through compassionate action.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentary sources note no significant textual variants for Matthew 8:16. The earliest Greek manuscripts (including Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus) agree on the wording. The phrase 'with a word' (λόγῳ) is consistently attested across the tradition.
Reception History
Matthew 8:16 has been treasured in the church as a concise statement of Christ's power over evil and his compassion for the suffering. Early church fathers like Irenaeus and Chrysostom used the verse to argue for the reality of Christ's authority over demons, countering claims that Jesus was merely a magician. In the medieval period, the verse was incorporated into the liturgy for feasts of the Archangels, emphasizing Christ's command of spiritual powers. Reformation commentators (Geneva Bible, Gill) highlighted the Sabbath context to argue that Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled its purpose. In modern healing ministries, the verse is often cited to encourage faith that Jesus heals 'all' who come to him, not just some. The phrase 'with a word' has also inspired hymns focused on the power of Christ's spoken command.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Waiting for the right moment. The crowd honored the Sabbath even while desperate. Their restraint shows trust that Jesus would still be available. Application: patience in bringing needs to Christ is not a lack of faith.
- Authority in a word. Jesus expelled spirits without ritual, long prayer, or physical contact, just a spoken command. This highlights that his power is not in methods but in who he is.
- No one left out. The text says he healed all the sick. There is no record of a single person being turned away. This reinforces the invitation of the Gospel: everyone who comes is received.
Five-point outline
- The end of the Sabbath. The timing teaches that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). He does not set aside the law but fulfills its purpose by bringing rest and healing.
- Many demon-possessed. The prevalence of demonic activity in Capernaum shows that spiritual warfare was central to Jesus' mission.
- Cast out with a word. The dative λόγῳ indicates the instrument by which the act was done. Jesus' word itself carries authority; he does not need to bargain or plead with demons.
- Healed all that were sick. The Greek verb ἐθεράπευσεν (aorist) denotes completed action. Every disease that was brought responded to his touch or command.
- Fulfillment and anticipation. Verse 17 immediately follows, showing that these healings are a down payment of what the Servant of Isaiah would accomplish fully at the cross.
Illustration hooks
- A hospital emergency room at shift change. Families line the hallways, anxious to get loved ones seen. The waiting itself is a statement of hope, they believe help will come.
- A parent who respects school rules even in an emergency. They wait for the bell, knowing the teacher will still be there. That restraint mirrors the crowd's respect for God's commands even in urgency.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If Jesus can heal everyone, why does he not heal everyone today?
- Is the authority Jesus had over demons available to believers now? How?
- Why did the New Testament world have so many demon-possessed people? Is that still happening?
Leading a Discussion
This short verse packs a profound picture of Jesus: his authority over the spiritual realm, his compassion for physical suffering, and his willingness to receive all who come. As you discuss, consider how the surrounding context (the healing of Peter's mother-in-law and the Isaiah quotation) shapes the meaning of this scene.
Discussion questions
- Read Matthew 8:14, 17 as a unit. How does the healing of Peter's mother-in-law prepare for the evening healings?
- Why do you think the crowds waited until evening? What does their waiting reveal about their view of the Sabbath and of Jesus?
- The Greek says Jesus cast out spirits λόγῳ (by a word). What does this tell us about the nature of his authority compared to other exorcists of the time?
- What does it mean that Jesus healed all who were sick? Are there any exceptions implied in the text?
- Matthew 8:17 quotes Isaiah 53:4. How does that prophecy change the way we understand Jesus' healings, are they only about physical relief, or do they point to something deeper?
- In your own life, when have you had to wait for God to act, and what did that waiting teach you about trust?
- This passage shows Jesus receiving everyone who came to him. How does that shape your church's welcome to people with physical, mental, or spiritual needs today?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 15:26 | He said, “If you will diligently listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you.” |
| Matthew 4:23 | Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. |
| Matthew 4:24 | The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them. |
| Matthew 8:33 | Those who fed them fled and went away into the city and told everything, including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. |
| Matthew 9:2 | Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.” |
| Matthew 12:22 | Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. |
| Matthew 14:14 | Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. |
| Mark 1:25 | Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that people waited until after sunset to bring the sick to Jesus because the Jewish Sabbath ended at sundown. He attributes the many demoniacs in Judea to the people's extreme wickedness and their deep involvement in magic. He also argues that if demon possession were merely a popular error, Jesus' opponents would have used that to discredit him.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that the timing shows the Jews' careful Sabbath observance, as they waited for it to end before bringing the sick. He also emphasizes that Jesus healed all who came, proving both his compassion and his divine authority, since his miracles were acts of mercy rather than displays of power.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note draws attention to the manner of Christ's power: he cast out demons with his word alone, without any physical action or ritual. This highlights that Christ's authority is direct and sovereign, needing nothing more than his own command to deliver the afflicted.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that the evening timing is mentioned to show Jewish Sabbath law prevented people from bringing their sick earlier. Once the sun fully set and three stars appeared, the Sabbath ended and they could come. He also stresses that Christ cast out spirits by his word alone, demonstrating his divine authority over Satan.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that Christ's healing of Peter's mother-in-law demonstrates his special care for the families of his disciples. He observes that Peter was married and had a house, and he argues that Christ's kindness to his wife's relations is a clear endorsement of the marriage state, directly opposing the Roman Catholic ban on clerical marriage.