Matthew 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: 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:
After sunset closed the Sabbath the people of Capernaum crowded to Simon's house bringing many who were sick and possessed by evil spirits, and Jesus healed every one who was brought to Him by a word from His lips or a touch of His hand. They had held back through the Sabbath hours for fear of being condemned as law-breakers by the watching Pharisees and rabbis, then came hour after hour far into the night from homes, shops and marketplaces, the strong walking alone and far more carried on litters or leaning on friends in every condition of fever, paralysis, blindness, deafness, lameness and leprosy. He turned none away but made each case His own with tender pity and great love, carrying their suffering in sympathy without bearing disease in His own flesh, and rejoicing to restore them to health and happiness. His word showed authority over evil spirits and over disease and death, revealing His divine life-giving power in the persons of those healed, who returned home with sound minds and healthy bodies amid shouts of deliverance. The same power still lives in His word, for as Creator and Redeemer He can heal every disease and still feels the suffering of the sick, working through His servants and joining teaching with healing as the model for His followers.
Evening Gathering at Capernaum
When the even was come means after sunset at the close of the Sabbath, when the sun had passed out of sight in the west. The gathering was at Simon's house in Capernaum and followed the Sabbath healing of Peter's mother-in-law. The sick had waited through the day because the Pharisees and rabbis closely watched to find cause to accuse, and their influence made the people fear being stigmatized as transgressors and law-breakers if they sought healing on the Sabbath. For that reason they dared not come for healing until the sun was set, when they no longer feared breaking the Sabbath rules enforced by the rabbis.
When evening came the inhabitants of the city pressed toward the house from homes, shops, and marketplaces, flocking from every quarter and across the city. Those with strength came by themselves, and a much larger number were borne by friends. They were brought upon litters, leaning upon staffs, or supported by friends and tottering into His presence. Hour after hour they came and went, not knowing whether the Healer would still be among them tomorrow.
They were in every condition of helplessness and approaching death. Their afflictions included burning fevers, paralysis, dropsy, blindness, deafness, lameness, and leprosy. The lepers cried Unclean, Unclean, and stretched their decaying hands toward Him. Even little children were brought. Those too ill to come by themselves were brought by others and restored so they could return home.
He did not cease His work until the last sufferer had been relieved, laboring hour after hour far into the night before the multitude departed.
Compassionate Healing by Word
He began with the first one brought before Him, and healed every one who applied to Him, turning none away, including those too ill to come by themselves and even little children brought to Him. He cast out the spirits with His word and healed the sick by a word from His lips or a touch of His hand. His word showed authority over evil spirits and over disease and death, and those under their power yielded to Him, with the demons recognizing Him as the Son of God. The healings displayed His divine and life-giving power, with evidence borne in the persons of those healed who were restored to health.
He was touched with tender pity and great love stirred to its depths by suffering, carrying the sickness and suffering of others and making each case His own so their pain affected Him deeply, yet no number overwhelmed Him. He did not bear disease in His own flesh, but His healing came from love and showed His complete sympathy with suffering humanity. He rejoiced in the joy He gave and shared the joy of those relieved because He loved sufferers and rejoiced to restore them to health and happiness.
Those healed returned with gratitude and rejoicing to gladden their homes with sound and enlightened minds and healthy bodies, leaving as no longer helpless invalids the homes they had so recently left as such. Those who had carried them wept for joy and praised Him, filling the air with triumph and shouts of deliverance such as Capernaum had never seen. His work made many families happy, caused light to dawn upon households in affliction, comforted the sorrowing, instructed the ignorant, and wakened hope in the despairing, and won hearts so many believed on Him. The poor and humble not separated by vanity, pride, worldly treasure, or human praise most willingly received His message and believed His words, finding consolation for toil and privation.
Healing Power for Today
Christ joined the ministry of the Word with healing, driving out spirits by His word and healing the sick, and His work is the model for combining teaching with medical missionary service. The same power by which He cast out demons and healed the sick remains in His word, and the whole Bible is a manifestation of Him. As Creator and Redeemer He has power to heal every kind of disease even by a touch, a word, or a look, and He is worthy of trust as helper when human help fails.
He still feels the suffering of the sick and is just as willing to heal now, working through His servants as His representatives and channels. As the great Physician He brings restoration of soul and body to those suffering under the curse of sin and helps them in weakness at infinite sacrifice. His healing while on earth supports asking Him for healing and trusting His promises and strength by faith.