In the record of the Master's work as set down by Matthew and Luke, his great sermon is followed by a number of healings.
Matthew tells first of the healing of a leper (see 8:2–4). This is evidently the same case of leprosy mentioned in Mark 1:40–45 and Luke 5:12–14. In each account the Master, in reaching out to touch the leper, clearly disregarded the prevailing thought that a leper was "unclean," and would pollute the religious purity of anyone who touched him. Hebrew law concerning those afflicted with leprosy—a broader term in Bible times than now—would be well known among the Jews. Its rules required the segregation of the leper from society until after his healing, but they did admit the possibility of cure (see Lev., Chaps. 13, 14; Deut. 24:8).
The second healing recorded by Matthew is that of the centurion's servant. The centurion was an officer who would be in command of a hundred men. He was probably a Roman, in charge of troops stationed at Capernaum. Matthew indicates that this kindly man himself came to Jesus, humbly petitioning aid for his servant (or more literally "boy") who was gravely ill. According to Luke, elders of the Jews were sent by the centurion, and they reported his worthiness to receive the Master's aid, because of his generosity in building a synagogue for his Jewish neighbors. In each record Jesus points out the centurion's faith, greater than any he had found among his own people. The story concludes with the assurance that the servant was healed (see Matt. 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10).
