Mat 8:2-4 | TNotes | STEP | 8:2 Leprosy refers to various skin diseases. Lepers were ceremonially unclean; they were excluded from society unless they became symptom-free and a priest pronounced them clean (see 8:4 ; Lev 14:2-32 ). On some occasions, leprosy was a judgment from God (Num 12:9-15 ; 2 Kgs 5:27 ; 15:5 ).

a8:2►

b8:4►

cLev 14:2-32►

dNum 12:9-15►

e2 Kgs 5:27►

f15:5►

g8:3►

h11:2-6►

i8:4►

j10:18►

k5:17►

‏ Matthew 8:2-4

8:2 ^a Leprosy refers to various skin diseases. Lepers were ceremonially unclean; they were excluded from society unless they became symptom-free and a priest pronounced them clean (see 8:4 ^b; Lev 14:2-32 ^c). On some occasions, leprosy was a judgment from God (Num 12:9-15 ^d; 2 Kgs 5:27 ^e; 15:5 ^f).
8:3 ^g Be healed: Jesus’ healing of lepers was tangible evidence of the Kingdom in his person and ministry (11:2-6 ^h).
8:4 ⁱ The leper’s healing would be a public testimony—either that the religious leaders were wrong not to trust in the Messiah (10:18 ^j) or that Jesus was not against the law of Moses (5:17 ^k).