Matthew 8:3

“And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, etc.] This is a wonderful instance both of the grace, and goodness of Christ, in touching this loathsome creature; and of his unspotted purity and holiness, which could not be defiled by it; and of his mighty power in healing by a touch, and with a word of his mouth, saying, I will, be thou clean: in which he expresses at once his willingness, “I will”, of which the leper before was not certain; and his power by a word of command, “be thou clean”; and in which also is shown the readiness of Christ to do it: he did not stand parleying with the man, or making any further trial of his faith, or objecting to him his uncleanness; but at once…”

“And Jesus--or "He," according to another reading,--"moved with compassion," says Mark (Mar 1:41); a precious addition. put forth his hand, and touched him--Such a touch occasioned ceremonial defilement (Lev 5:3); even as the leper's coming near enough for contact was against the Levitical regulations (Lev 13:46). But as the man's faith told him there would be no case for such regulations if the cure he hoped to experience should be accomplished, so He who had healing in His wings transcended all such statutes. saying, I will; be thou clean--How majestic those two words! By not assuring the man of His power to heal him, He delightfully sets His seal to the man's previous confession of that…”

“And Jesus ...touched him - It was an offence to the Jews to “touch” a leprous person, and was regarded as making him who did it ceremonially impure, Leviticus 13:3. The act of putting forth his hand and “touching” him, therefore, expressed the intention of Jesus to cure him, and was a pledge that he “was,” in fact, already cured. return to 'Top of Page'”

“8:3 Be healed: Jesus’ healing of lepers was tangible evidence of the Kingdom in his person and ministry (11:2-6).”

“put: Kg2 5:11 I will: Gen 1:3; Psa 33:9; Mar 1:41, Mar 4:39, Mar 5:41, Mar 7:34, Mar 9:25; Luk 5:13, Luk 7:14; Joh 5:21, Joh 11:43, Joh 15:24 immediately: Mat 11:4, Mat 11:5; Kg2 5:14; Luk 17:14, Luk 17:15 Matthew 8:4”