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Matthew 8:18

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 8:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandments to depart unto the other side.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandments to depart unto the other side.
Matthew 8:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And he touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she arose, and ministered unto him.
16And when even was come, they brought unto him many possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all that were sick:
17that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: Himself took our infirmities, and bare our diseases.
18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandments to depart unto the other side.
19And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
20And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
21And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
← Matthew 8:17Matthew 8:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, etc.] Who got together, partly out of novelty to see his person, of whom they had heard so much; and partly to see the miracles he wrought: some came to have their bodily diseases healed; few, if any, to hear the Gospel preached by him, and for the good of their immortal souls: the most part came with some sinister, selfish, and carnal views, wherefore he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. Different were the reasons, which at certain times moved Christ to depart from the multitude; as that he might have an opportunity of private prayer, or to preach, to others, or to show he sought not popular applause, and to avoid seditions: his…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Unto the other side - Jesus was now in Capernaum, a city at the northwest corner of the Sea of Tiberias, or Sea of Galilee. See the notes at Matthew 4:18. The country to which he purposed to go was the region on the east of the Sea of Tiberias. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He commanded to go to the other side - That both himself and the people might have a little rest. Matthew 8:19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:18-22 Jesus confronted two would-be followers with what it truly means to follow him.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“saw: Mat 8:1; Mar 1:35-38; Luk 4:42, Luk 4:43; Joh 6:15 unto: Mat 14:22; Mar 4:35, Mar 5:21, Mar 6:45, Mar 8:13; Luk 8:22 Matthew 8:19”
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Related study paths

Read Matthew 8 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification