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MATTHEW 8:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 8Matt 8:2
“When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.”
When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. The descent from the mountain after the Sermon is the transition from words to works: chapters 8–9 demonstrate the authority in action that the crowds sensed at the end of chapter 7. The great crowds who followed from the mountain are the crowds who have been astonished and who now witness the authority expressed not in teaching but in healing, exorcism, and nature-control. The Sermon announced the kingdom; chapters 8–9 demonstrate it. John 10:25 says the works Jesus does in the Father's name bear witness about him — the works of power that follow the Sermon are the validation of the words that preceded them.

Church Fathers on Matthew 8:1

After the preaching and teaching, is offered an occasion of working miracles, that by mighty works following, the preceding doctrine might be confirmed.

Jerome · 4th century

Because He taught them as one having authority, that He might not thence be supposed to use this method of teaching from ostentation, He does the same in works, as one having power to cure; and therefore, 'When Jesus descended from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.'

Pseudo-Chrysostom · 5th century

While the Lord taught on the mount, the disciples were with Him, for to them it was given to know the secret things of the heavenly doctrine; but now as He came down from the mount the crowds followed Him, who had been altogether unable to ascent into the mount. They that are bowed by the burden of sin cannot climb to the sublime mysteries. But when the Lord came down from the mount, that is, stooped to the infirmity, and helplessness of the rest, in pity to their…

Pseudo-Origen · · Hom. in Liv. 5
Read all 31 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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