§ 8. Jesus' Ministry in Galilee Continued

Leviticus 13:45–46

The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.

While most would have shied away from any contact or even general interaction with a leper, Jesus displays the love and mercy of God by reaching out and touching this man. When Elisha healed Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5), he did not greet Naaman in person but rather did so by a word sent through his messenger.

Miracles of healing also symbolize forgiveness of sins. God's word remains the saving power today as in the day of Elisha, but in Jesus we have received mercy and grace, as well. Jesus knows what it is to be in the flesh, and is sympathetic to our needs.

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Several times in the gospels Jesus instructs people to keep what He has done for them quiet. Mark 1:45 (below) explains why this is.

The gift to which Jesus refers is captured in Leviticus 14:1–20, with an alternative option for the poor in verses 21–32.

The fact that provision is made, "…if he is poor and cannot afford so much" (v.21), tells us the offering was a hefty amount. A leper who has been healed has much to be thankful for.

The phrase rendered "for a proof" (εἰς μαρτύριον) is literally, "as a witness" or "as a testimony." At first blush, one might be tempted to think think this phrase merely refers to Leviticus, since the "Tent of Meeting" (Leviticus 1:1) was literally a "Tent of Witness" or "Tent of Testimony." But the phrase "for a witness" does appear elsewhere in Scripture, and its use in these other places helps us understand what is meant here.

The phrase appears again in Matthew 10:18, "You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles." In that verse it's clear the reason the apostles appear before governing authorities is so that they may testify about Jesus. Matthew 8:4, thus, could be rendered, "offer the gift Moses commanded, so as to testify to them."

Even more compelling, though, is the thought captured in Hebrews 3:1–8. In that passage, it is clear that Moses proved faithful in everything for a specific purpose: to bear witness to what would be spoken later in Christ. Thus, Moses serves Christ, laying the groundwork for His coming.

Hebrews 3:1–8

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts….”

In Matthew 8:4, then, Jesus excels Moses by directly healing leprosy without having to follow the procedures of Leviticus. The priests should be able to discern this fact, and they should conclude that something greater than Moses is here.

Mark here expands upon "I am willing" in Matthew 8:3, intensifying the compassion Christ has for us. He understands our suffering and is concerned for us. We ought to do the same for our brethren.

1 John 3:16–18

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Mark's account strengthens "see to it" in Matthew 8:4. Jesus's stern charge (ἐμβριμάομαι) is a very strong reaction, a serious warning from the heart.

The reason for this charge is given in verse 45.

The result of the leper "talking freely about it" and "spreading the news" was that Jesus could not enter a town for the crowds. People who wanted to learn from Him thus had to go out to Him in the wilderness, making it only that much harder to hear His word.

We can't help notice, by way of contrast, that the crowd welcomed Him in fulfillment of the Scriptures at His triumphal entry.

Matthew 21:10–11

And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Jesus was both going off alone and also praying. This practice prioritizes prayer by making a time and place for it. God deserves our undivided attention.

Luke records Him doing this before delivering the sermon on the mount:

Luke 6:12

In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.

Mark also mentions Jesus doing so before the current episode:

Mark 1:35

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Of course, the Lord's prayer in the garden is the ultimate example of dedication and devotion when He was all alone.

Luke 22:39–42

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”