Written by Clinton Wahlen
Matthew 8 begins a two-chapter sequence of miracle stories in groups of three, organized topically rather than chronologically. In the first group, Jesus cleanses a leper, heals the servant of a centurion, and banishes the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law, followed by a brief summary of further healings that evening (Matt 8:1–17; cf. Mark 1:32–34). The central section is about discipleship with Jesus, confronting two wannabe disciples (Matt 8:18–22). Chapter 8 concludes with two spectacular miracles: the calming of the storm (Matt 8:23–27) and delivering two demoniacs by sending the demons into a herd of pigs (Matt 8:28–34).