Matthew 8:3
And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρα
his hand
G5495
χεῖρα
his hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
4 of 17
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
ἥψατο
and touched
G680
ἥψατο
and touched
Strong's:
G680
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
8 of 17
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Θέλω
I will
G2309
Θέλω
I will
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
10 of 17
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Luke 5:13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.Psalms 33:9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.2 Kings 5:14Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.Mark 1:41And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.Mark 4:39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.John 5:21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.Genesis 1:3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.2 Kings 5:11But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.Mark 5:41And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.Mark 9:25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
Historical Context
No one touched lepers—physicians examined from a distance. Jesus' touch communicated compassion, acceptance, and restoration before the healing. His willingness to touch demonstrates God's love for outcasts and His power to cleanse sin's defilement without being contaminated.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' willingness to touch the untouchable change your view of His love?
- Who are the 'lepers' God is calling you to touch with His love?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus' physical touch—'Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him'—was revolutionary because touching a leper brought ceremonial defilement. Instead of Jesus becoming unclean, His touch cleansed the leper. The immediate healing ('immediately his leprosy was cleansed') demonstrates Jesus' absolute authority over disease and uncleanness. Jesus' 'I will; be thou clean' combines sovereign will with powerful word.