Each gospel writer emphasizes the immediate nature of the cleansing. No period of convalescence here! So it is, too, when the sinner comes to the Saviour, the work of salvation is instant.
The miracles and parables of the Lord Jesus often appear simple in the telling, but they are, without exception, profound in their teaching. The cleansing of the leper occupies just a few verses, and the narrative is factual and uncomplicated. Yet the more we read and compare the records of the synoptic Gospels, the more we discover of the character and the power of the Saviour.
It is always important when reading the Gospels to note carefully the details which are included and those which are omitted by each writer. From this we appreciate the individual features which characterize each Gospel in their presentation of the Lord Jesus.
As we consider the cleansing of the leper, we will notice that Matthew draws our attention to the Master; Mark in his record examines the motive behind the miracle; while Luke observes the man who was cleansed. Each in turn adds a little more to our understanding of the Lord’s dealings with this poor, leprous man.
Matthew’s View
In Matthew’s Gospel, the Lord Jesus has just outlined the principles which govern His kingdom, in what we commonly call “the Sermon on the Mount.” Now in chapter 8 He descends the mountain, followed by a great multitude, to continue His ministry of meeting the needs of others. His teaching has been acclaimed as having authority or power. Now throughout this chapter His works display the same character: He is the sovereign Lord in every circumstance, and as such He cleanses the leper. The man’s approach to the Lord is, in itself, an acknowledgement that he recognized One who was more than just a man—he “worshiped Him.”
J. N. Darby, in his New Translation suggests that this was nothing more than mere courtesy, yet the man’s words and the Lord’s actions indicate rather more than this. We can see the multitude parting and stepping back hastily to avoid contact with one so defiled. Not so the Saviour; He graciously awaits the man’s approach.
The leper’s words are identical in each record, except in Mark where the title “Lord” is omitted. His piteous cry “if Thou wilt,” is not an expression of doubt in the Lord’s ability, but rather a recognition of his own unworthiness. Would the Lord condescend to look upon such a person? His next statement confirms his belief in the authority of the Lord Jesus, “Thou canst make me clean.”
The Lord’s words and actions are again recorded consistently in the three Gospels. Mark alone tells us that it was the word spoken which effected the healing. The touch of the Master’s hand gave assurance that the work had been done. What a moment that must have been for that man! This was the first human touch he had experienced since the priest had declared him unclean, possibly some years before!
The Lord instructed him to return to the priest and offer the prescribed offering, as detailed in Leviticus 14. This was a defining moment in the history of the nation. There is no record of an Israelite, apart from Miriam (Num. 12), ever recovering from the plague of leprosy. It was the Lord, Jehovah, who promised to be the “healer” of His people (Ex. 15:26). When, therefore, the priest saw the cleansed leper, he should have known without any doubt that Messiah had come. He, as much as the cleansed man, should have been the one to “publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter” (Mk. 1:45). Yet the silent priest is the epitome of unbelieving Israel, who refused to recognize their Deliverer, though the evidence was irrefutable.
Before we leave Matthew’s record, it is worth noting that he often writes from a dispensational viewpoint. We see that the leper is characteristic of the nation (cf. Isa. 1:6). When they fail to acknowledge Him, blessing comes to the Gentiles with the healing of the centurion’s servant. Once this is complete, He takes up dealings again with the nation, as seen in “Peter’s house” (v. 14), with Peter’s mother-in-law a picture of the remnant delivered from “fever” (lit. fire or burning). Following such tribulation, many in need are brought to Him, and the Sun of righteousness arises “with healing in His wings” (Mal. 4:2).
Mark’s View
The Gospel of Mark is usually considered to be the most chronological of the four records. If that is so, then the leper’s words take on a deeper significance. Throughout chapter 1, the Lord Jesus had been constantly working. It is deeply challenging to see Him moving through the book as the perfect Servant. To think that for some thirty-three and a half years He never wasted a moment!
A number of miraculous healings are recorded in verses 21-39, yet no mention is made of lepers being cleansed. When, therefore, we hear the appeal of this man, he does not say, “If Thou wilt, Thou canst make lepers clean.” He had no precedent for that assumption. What he does say is, “Thou canst make me clean.” It was a personal need, as indeed it is for any who would come to the Lord Jesus for cleansing.
Mark then considers the motive—the reason why the Lord healed him. It is a feature of the Servant Gospel that consideration is not only given to what is done by the Lord and others, but why such things are done. For us, as servants of the Master, it will be our motives in service which are examined at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Mark tells us that the Lord was “moved with compassion.” His gracious, tender heart was deeply touched by this pathetic wreck of humanity. Compassion is more than pity. It indicates a deep yearning towards those in need—an emotion from the heart which moves the hand to help. Oh, that we would be more Christ-like in our response to the great need of those all around us!
Luke’s View
The order seen in Luke’s Gospel is not dispensational as in Matthew, nor particularly chronological as Mark, but rather moral. The cleansing of the leper is part of a progression in chapter 5 which shows us how the Lord Jesus deals with those who would follow Him. First, in the words of Peter, we see conviction: “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (v. 8). Then follows confession: “If Thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” (v. 12). In the next case of the man taken with a palsy, it is cleansing: “thy sins are forgiven thee” (v. 20). And finally, the word of commission to Matthew: “Follow me.” In this way, the Lord is still dealing with souls.
Luke, as we might expect, looks at this man through the eyes of a physician. He examines him briefly and makes his professional diagnosis: he was “full of leprosy.” This man had not long to live; it was essential that he had dealings with the Lord Jesus that day.
Each Gospel writer emphasizes the immediate nature of the cleansing. No period of convalescence here! So it is, too, when the sinner comes to the Saviour. The work of salvation is instant.
Leprosy in the Scriptures is always a picture of sin. It is important to note that in this miracle there is no mention of healing, as with a disease, but rather cleansing as from defilement. Sin and its fruits do not result from illness, an aberration of the mind, or from social deprivation. It is a principle ingrained in every human heart, inherited from Adam. It cannot be cured; it must be cleansed. Such was its hold upon humanity that it required the greatest possible price—the precious blood of the Lord Jesus—to accomplish the work of redemption. May our hearts respond in gratitude, “Hallelujah, what a Saviour!”