Matthew 8 : 23 - 9:8 Three Amazing Miracles of Jesus .

1.) The Calming of the Storm 8 : 23 -27

Mat 8:23  And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

Mat 8:24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

Mat 8:25  And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."

Mat 8:26  And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Mat 8:27  And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

2.) The Gadarene Demoniacs 8: 28-3

Mat 8:28  And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.

Mat 8:29  And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"

Mat 8:30  Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them.

Mat 8:31  And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs."

Mat 8:32  And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters.

Mat 8:33  The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men.

Mat 8:34  And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

3.) The Healing of the Paralytic 9:1 - 8

Mat 9:1  And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city.

Mat 9:2  And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven."

Mat 9:3  And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming."

Mat 9:4  But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?

Mat 9:5  For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise and walk'?

Mat 9:6  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he then said to the paralytic—"Rise, pick up your bed and go home."

Mat 9:7  And he rose and went home.

Mat 9:8  When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

1. The Calming of the Storm 8 : 23 -27

The first of these Three Amazing Miracles is this demonstration of Jesus POWER and AUTHORITY over Nature. It is not to wonder that this happened when the Bible clearly states that :

Jesus Created everything as The Word of God.

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2  He was in the beginning with God.

Joh 1:3  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In the beginning it says in the Book of Genesis 1:

See also Gen 1:3  And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

Gen 1:6  And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters."

Gen 1:7  And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.

Gen 1:9  And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.

Gen 1:11  And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth." And it was so.

So now in this story we see the Creator, the Word of God, sleeping in a boat crossing a stormy sea. What a human touch to a Divine happening. Jesus was truly the GOD/MAN. God come down to dwell among men in Human form.

Now let’s turn to this miracle.

The Calming of the Storm on the Sea of Galilee. See also Mark 4:35-41; and Luke 8 :22-25

Mat 8:23  And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

Mat 8:24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.

Notes:

In v.18 Jesus had given the command to go over to the other side of the Lake to the territory of the Gadarenes.

The Sea of GALILEE from Tiberias, Gadara in the distance

The Sea of Galilee from Space Capernaum on the North and Gadara on the South East

This image was taken by the NASA Expedition 20 crew. - NASA Earth Observatory

Southern Galilee today

Mat 8:25  And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing."

Mat 8:26  And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Mat 8:27  And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"

Matthew 8:18 - 22 The Cost of Discipleship.

Mat 8:18  Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.

Mat 8:19  And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

Mat 8:20  And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

Mat 8:21  Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

Mat 8:22  And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

One of the most important theologians of the twentieth century illuminates the relationship between ourselves and the teachings of Jesus

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To Follow Jesus You Must be Wholehearted.

We don’t know the outcome of what Jesus said in the lives of the Scribe nor the other man but here Matthew makes clear what Jesus is looking for in a disciple. He saying nothing about the ultimate attitude of either of theses two men. L.M.p.199

Mat 8:18  Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.

Notes

The huge crowds that followed Jesus at this time may have just wanted to see the healings or to listen to his Preaching and Teaching. But a crowd does not make a church nor does church attendance make a disciple. To be in the crowd is not all that Jesus wanted. Jesus told the twelve to get in the boat and go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps He wanted some rest and quietness. Personal Ministry with many people can be very taxing and so ministers must have a place of retreat.

Mat 8:19  And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

Notes

Before Jesus could leave a scribe approached Him first. This was man well versed in the Jewish Law and was thus interested in the Service of God. He appears to be very favourable to Jesus and His teaching while most Scribes were not.

He said to Jesus, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

Was He wanting to become a dedicated follower or disciple of Jesus? Or was he just one who wanted to follow Jesus around like church attendees who are never really committed to Jesus Christ and obedient to His Word.

I will follow you wherever you go.

Was He willing to be with Jesus through thick and thin? Wherever Jesus happened to go and whatever happened in the future.

Perhaps he had not really considered the Cost of Discipleship.

Illustration

Once in Africa after watching the Jesus film in their own language first the first time in the Public Market, two young Muslim young Traders came to me and said they wanted to follow Jesus.

I said, “Have you considered what the Cost or the consequences of this decision would be for you. You will be ostracised by your family. They will chase you from your home and your job.You know their is cost to following Jesus with a full commitment.” I said you go and you think about what I have said and come back if you still are willing to Follow Jesus.” They remained friends but did not return to follow Jesus up until the time I left their country.

Mat 8:20  And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."

Notes

Jesus is looking for complete Commitment. Not someone who is attached to earthly wealth and assets more than to Him. Jesus had no earthly foxhole or nest.Cp Matt :6:26 shows that the Heavenly Father cares for the birds and feeds them and He will care for us.

Are you leaning on your wealth or bank balance or are you Secure in the father’s Love and provision.

Illustration

Early Congo Missionaries travelled like this

Many Years ago a dear Man of God, Elvyn Lee, ex CEM Congo Missionary, gave my wife and I a promised from the Word of God from

2Ki 25:27  And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.

2Ki 25:28  And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon.

2Ki 25:29  So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king's table,

2Ki 25:30  and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived.

WE have never lacked God’s daily allowance all the days of our lives. God is faithful to His Word

.”..the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." The Son of Man is Jesus favourite expression when referring to Himself. Matthew uses it  6 or 7 times to refer to Jesus’ Earthly Mission; 10 times when referring Jesus’ rejection, suffering, and death, and 1 time when referring to the His future glory It is often a reference to Daniel . 7: 13-14

Another Disciple and Full Commitment

Mat 8:21  Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

Notes

Another of the disciples said to him,

And another of his disciples ... - The word “disciple” properly signifies “learner,” and was given to the followers of Jesus because they received him as their teacher. See the notes at Mat_5:1. It does not of necessity mean that a “disciple” was a pious man, but only one of the multitude, who, for various causes, might attend on his instructions. See Joh_6:66; Joh_9:28.

said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

Notes

Addressing Jesus respectfully as “Lord” [Sir], this man must have made some sort of commitment. He understood that being a real disciple of Jesus meant severing of home ties. He seems to have been willing to do just that.

Burying your Father was an important  family responsibility for the Jews. See Gen 50:5-14

Lev 21:1-2

Since burial was usually carried out on the Day of Death. If the father had in reality died it meant only an absence of a day or so.

But it seems more likely that he had elderly parents and that he should look after his father inhis declining years.

Mat 8:22  And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

Let the dead bury their dead - The word “dead” is used in this passage in two different senses. It is apparently a paradox, but is suited to convey the idea very distinctly to the mind. The Jews used the word “dead” often to express indifference toward a thing; or, rather, to show that that thing has no “influence” over us. Thus, to be dead to the world; to be dead to the law Rom_7:4; to be dead to sin Rom_6:11, means that the world, law, and sin have not influence or control over us; that we are free from them, and act “as though they were not.” A body in the grave is unaffected by the pomp and vanity, by the gaiety and revelry, by the ambition and splendor that may be near the tomb. So people of the world are dead to religion. They see not its beauty, hear not its voice, are not won by its loveliness. This is the class of people to which the Saviour refers here. Let people, says he, who are uninterested in my work, and who are “dead in sin” Eph_2:1, take care of the dead. Your duty is now to follow me.Barnes Notes

Matthew 8:14 - 17 The Healing of Peter’s Mother in Law.

All three Synoptists (writers of the Synoptic Gospels MT; MK; and LK.) Record this healing. Mark 1:29 -31; Luke 4: 38-39

Matthew’s account is the shortest. L.M.

Mat 8:14  And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.

Mat 8:15  He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.

Mat 8:16  That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.

Mat 8:17  This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases." ESV

Notes:

Mat 8:14  And when Jesus entered Peter's s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.

Notes:

To our surprise Peter has a house in Capernaum and a mother - in - law. There is not much said in the New Testament about the families of the Disciples. Apparently they had come from the Synagogue and entered the house of Simon Peter.

Peters House at Capernaum

he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.

Peter’s - wife’s mother - Learn hence, says Theophylact, that marriage is no hinderance to virtue, since the chief of the apostles had his wife. Marriage is one of the first of Divine institutions, and is a positive command of God. He says, the state of celibacy is not Good, Gen_2:18. Those who pretend to say that the single state is more holy than the other slander their Maker, and say in effect, “We are too holy to keep the commandments of God.” A.Clark

lying sick with a fever. More Literally ‘thrown’ cp v.6 in bed. She had a Great Fever [Luke’s Gospel]

Luke says, Luk_4:38 that she "was taken", or rather held, or "detained with a great fever"; the distemper was very raging and furious, it had got to a very great height. The other evangelists say, that the persons in the house told him of her, and besought him for her, that he would heal her, having a very great affection for her, and desire of her life, which seemed to be in great danger. J. Gill

Mat 8:15  He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.

Notes:

Jesus touched her hand, Notice again the mighty Healing Power in Jesus’ touch

The old Chorus says:

He touched me; Oh, He touched me;

And Oh the Joy that found my soul.

Something happened! and now I know!

He touched me and made me whole.

 

Jesus is still healing and Delivering from Demons today Pastor Lisa Lim Ministering To Muslims

the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him.

And she arose and ministered unto them: the former of these actions is a proof of her being restored to health and strength, in so much that she could rise and walk about of herself; whereas generally, persons after fevers continue very weak a considerable time; which shows what a miracle was wrought upon her by Christ: and the latter of them expresses her gratitude, for the mercy she had received; she rises and serves him and his friends, preparing proper and suitable provisions for them.

Mat 8:16  That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.

Notes

That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons…ESV

Demon Possessed G1139 δαιμονίζομαι daimonizomai

Thayer Definition:

1) to be under the power of a demon.

ISBE comments “In the New Testament we are told practically nothing about the origin, nature, characteristics or habits of demons. In a highly figurative passage (Mat_12:43) our Lord speaks of demons as passing through “waterless places,” and in the story of the Gadarene demoniac (Luk_8:31) the “abyss” is mentioned as the place of their ultimate detention.

The method of their control over human beings is represented in two contrasted ways (compare Mar_1:23; Luk_4:33), indicating that there was no fixed mode of regarding it. With these three scant items our direct information ceases. We are compelled to infer from the effects given in the limited number of specific instances narrated.

And it is worthy of more than passing mention that no theoretical discussion of demons occurs. The center of interest in the Gospels is the person of Jesus, the sufferers and the cures. Interest in the demons as such is absent.

Certain passages seem to indicate that the demons were able to speak (see Mar_1:24, Mar_1:26, Mar_1:34; Luk_4:41, etc.), but comparing these statements with others (compare Mar_1:23; Luk_8:28) it is seen that no distinction is drawn between the cries of the tormented in the paroxysms of their complaint and the cries attributed to the demons themselves. In other particulars the representation is consistent.

The demons belong to the unseen world, they are incapable of manifestation except in in the disorders which they cause - there are no materializations, no grotesque narratives of appearances and disappearances, no morbid dealing with repulsive details, no license of speculation in the narratives

In contrast with this reticence is not merely the demonology of primitive people, but also that of the non-canonical Jewish books.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Yh_BqQ7COUM/hqdefault.jpg

He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.

By His Powerful command the spirits left them and they were delivered. The same Word by which the Universe was Created John ch 1. is the same Word which delivered from demons.

No one was left out or went home still suffering. He healed all who were sick.

Mat 8:17  This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases."

That it might be fulfilled ... - This passage is found in Isa_53:4. Our English translation of that important passage is, “Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” The Greek in Matthew is an exact translation of the Hebrew, and the same translation should have been made in both places. In Isa_53:1-12, Isaiah fully states the doctrine of the atonement, or that the Messiah was to suffer for sin. In the verse quoted here, however, he states the very truth which Matthew declares. The word translated “griefs” in Isaiah, and “infirmities” in Matthew, means properly, in the Hebrew and Greek, “diseases of the body.” In neither does it refer to the disease of the mind, or to sin. To bear those griefs is clearly to bear them away, or to remove them. This was done by his miraculous power in healing the sick. The word rendered “sorrows” in Isaiah, and “sicknesses” in Matthew, means “pain, grief, or anguish of mind.” To “carry” these is to sympathize with the sufferers; to make provision for alleviating those sorrows, and to take them away. This he did by his precepts and by his example; and the cause of all sorrows - “sin” - he removed by the atonement. The passage in Isaiah and Matthew, therefore, mean precisely the same thing.Barnes

Matthew 8: 5 - 13 The Healing of the Centurion’s Servant.

The Healing of a Gentile.

Mat 8:5  After His entry into Capernaum, a Captain [Centurion] came to Him, and entreated Him.

Mat 8:6  "Sir," he said, "my servant at home is lying ill with paralysis, and is suffering great pain."

Mat 8:7  "I will come and cure him," said Jesus.

Mat 8:8  "Sir," replied the Captain, "I am not a fit person to receive you under my roof: merely say the word, and my servant will be cured.

Mat 8:9  For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers under me. To one I say 'Go,' and he goes, to another 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave 'Do this or that,' and he does it."

Mat 8:10  Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the people following Him, "I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite have I found faith as great as this.

Mat 8:11  And I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of the Heavens,

Mat 8:12  while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth."

Mat 8:13  And Jesus said to the Captain, "Go, and just as you have believed, so be it for you." And the servant recovered precisely at that time. WNT

Introduction

This story is written about at length in Luke 7: 1 - 10

Leon Morris comments, “It is better to see Matthew as abbreviating the story and leaving out certain in-essential details to his purpose. What a Man does through his agents he may be said to do himself. So Matthew gives the gist of the centurion’s communication to Jesus whereas Luke gives greater detail……. Matthew seems to be concerned primarily with the Centurion’s faith and Nationality; to him the messengers were irrelevant, even a distraction. But Luke was interested in the man’s character and specifically his humility; to him the messengers were a vital part of the story.

Mat 8:5  After His entry into Capernaum a Captain [Centurion KJV] came to Him, and entreated Him.

There came unto him a centurion - A centurion was the commander of 100 men in the Roman armies. Judea was a Roman province, and garrisons were kept there to preserve the people in subjection. This man was probably by birth a pagan. See Mat_8:10.Barnes

Mat 8:6  "Sir," he said, "my servant at home is lying ill with paralysis, and is suffering great pain."

Lord - Rather, Sir, for so the word κυριε should always be translated when a Roman is the speaker.

Is lying at home - Βεβληται, lieth all along; intimating that the disease had reduced him to a state of the utmost impotence, through the grievous torments with which it was accompanied.

Sick of the palsy - Or a paralytic. See Mat_4:24. This centurion did not act as many masters do when their servants are afflicted, have them immediately removed to an infirmary, often to a work-house; or sent home to friends or relatives, who probably either care nothing for them, or are unable to afford them any of the comforts of life. In case of a contagious disorder, it may be necessary to remove an infected person to such places as are best calculated to cure the distemper, and prevent the spread of the contagion. But, in all common cases, the servant should be considered as a child, and receive the same friendly attention. If, by a hasty, unkind, and unnecessary removal, the servant die, are not the master and mistress murderers before God?A.Clark

Is suffering great Pain  {Grievously tormented (deinōs basanizomenos). Participle present passive from root basanos (see note on Mat_4:24). The boy (pais), slave (doulos, Luk_7:2), was a bedridden (beblētai, perfect passive indicative of ballō) paralytic.

einōs basanizomenos).4)  to vex with grievous pains (of body or mind), to torment

Mat 8:7  "I will come and cure him," said Jesus.

Matthew moves straight from the soldier's request  to Jesus’ agreement to heal him. So now Jesus is willing to enter the home of Gentile which was not normal as Gentiles were unlcean and by entering his home you could become unclean too.

So if the Teacher agrred to go then he would be open to harsh criticism. L.M.

Mat 8:8  "Sir," replied the Captain, "I am not a fit person to receive you under my roof: merely say the word, and my servant will be cured. WNT

Mat 8:8  But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. ESV.

Notes:

But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof,

This was an expression of great humility. It refers, doubtless, to his view of his “personal” unworthiness, and not merely to the fact that he was a “Gentile.” It was the expression of a conviction of the great dignity and power of the Saviour, and of a feeling that he was so unlike him that he was not suitable that the Son of God should come into his dwelling.

So every truly penitent sinner feels - a feeling which is appropriate when he comes to Christ. Barnes

merely say the word, and my servant will be cured. WNT

Notes

All that was needed was for Jesus to say the Word. The Word was the Instrument “with” which the servant will be healed. Leon Morris.p.193

Until now there had been no example of Jesus Healing at a distance, so the centurion’s faith was amazingly strong. L.M.

See here the pattern of that living faith and genuine humility which ought always to accompany the prayer of a sinner: Jesus can will away the palsy, and speak away the most grievous torments. The first degree of humility is to acknowledge the necessity of God’s mercy, and our own inability to help ourselves: the second, to confess the freeness of his grace, and our own utter unworthiness. Ignorance, unbelief, and presumption will ever retard our spiritual cure. A.Clark

Mat 8:9  For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers under me. To one I say 'Go,' and he goes, to another 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave 'Do this or that,' and he does it."

Notes

For I myself am also under authority, and have soldiers under me.

- He had full confidence in the ability of Jesus to heal his servant, and requested him simply to give the command. This request he presented in a manner appropriate to a soldier. I am a man, says he, under authority. That is, I am subject to the commands of others, and know how to obey. I have also under me soldiers who are accustomed to obedience. I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes. I am “prepared,” therefore, to believe that your commands will be obeyed. As these obey me, so do diseases, storms, and seas obey you. If men obey me, who am an “inferior” officer, subject to another, how much more shall diseases obey you - the original source of power having control over all things! He asked, therefore, simply that Christ would give commandment, and he felt assured he would be obeyed.Barnes

“When God commands the plants to blossom, they bear blossoms.

When he commands them to bear seed, they bear seed.

When he commands them to bring forth fruit, they put forth their fruits.

When he commands them to ripen, they grow ripe.

When he commands them to fade, and shed their leaves, and remain inactive, involved in themselves, they thus remain, and are inactive.”

Cap. 14. p. 62. See Raphelius.

Mat 8:10  Jesus listened to this reply, and was astonished, and said to the people following Him, "I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite have I found faith as great as this.

Notes

"I solemnly tell you that in no Israelite have I found faith as great as this.

Great Faith of the Centurion.

When Jesus heard it, he marveled - He wondered at it, or he deemed it remarkable.

I have not found so great faith - The word “faith,” here, means “confidence” or belief that Christ had power to heal his servant. It does not of “necessity” imply that he had saving faith; though, from the connection and the spirit manifested, it seems probable that he had. If this was so, then he was the first Gentile convert to Christianity, and was a very early illustration of what was more clearly revealed afterward - that the pagan were to be brought to the knowledge of the truth.

No,  Not in Israel - Israel was a name given to “Jacob” Gen_32:28-29, because, as a prince, he had power with God; because he persevered in wrestling with the angel that met him, and obtained the blessing. The name is derived from two Hebrew words signifying “Prince” and “God.” He was one of the patriarchs, a progenitor of the Jewish nation; and the names “Israel and Israelites” were given to them, as the name Romans to the Roman people was in honor of Romulus, Barnes

Mat 8:11  And {But} I tell you that many will come from the east and from the west and will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of the Heavens,

Mat 8:12  while the natural heirs of the Kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside: there will be the weeping aloud and the gnashing of teeth."

Notes:

Here is a Contrast. Israel the Chosen people of God is contrasted with the Many from the East and the West.

Jesus takes occasion from the faith of a Roman centurion to state that this conversion would not be solitary; that many pagans - many from the east and west would be converted to the gospel, and be saved, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were. The phrase “from the east and from the west,” in the Scripture, is used to denote the “whole world,” Isa_45:6; Isa_59:19. The phrase, “shall sit down,” in the original, refers to the manner of sitting at meals (see the notes at Mat_23:6); and the enjoyments of heaven are described under the similitude of a feast or banquet - a very common manner of speaking of it, Mat_26:29; Luk_14:15; Luk_22:30. It is used here to denote felicity, enjoyment, or honor. To sit with those distinguished men was an honor, and would be expressive of great felicity.

Mat 8:13  And Jesus said to the Captain, "Go, and just as you have believed, so be it for you." And the servant recovered precisely at that time. WNT

Notes

And Jesus said to the Captain, "Go, and just as you have believed, so be it for you."

Let the mercy you request be equal to the faith you have brought to receive it. According to thy faith be it done unto thee, is a general measure of God’s dealings with mankind