Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Matthew: Chapter 8].
superiors and so expected obedience to his commands, instant
obedience (aorist imperatives and aoristic present indicatives).
Hence his faith in Christ's power over the illness of the boy
even without coming. Jesus had only to speak with a word (8:8),
say the word, and it would be done.
8:10 {So great faith} (\tosaut•n pistin\). In a Roman centurion
and greater than in any of the Jews. In like manner Jesus
marvelled at the great faith of the Canaanitish woman (Mt
15:28).
8:11 {Sit down} (\anaklith•sontai\). Recline at table on couches
as Jews and Romans did. Hence Leonardo da Vinci's famous picture
of the Last Supper is an anachronism with all seated at table in
modern style.
8:12 {The sons of the kingdom} (\hoi huioi t•s basileias\). A
favourite Hebrew idiom like "son of hell" (Mt 23:15), "sons of
this age" (Lu 16:8). The Jews felt that they had a natural
right to the privileges of the kingdom because of descent from
Abraham (Mt 3:9). But mere natural birth did not bring
spiritual sonship as the Baptist had taught before Jesus did.
{Into the outer darkness} (\eis to skotos to ex•teron\).
Comparative adjective like our "further out," the darkness
outside the limits of the lighted palace, one of the figures for
hell or punishment (Mt 23:13; 25:30). The repeated article
makes it bolder and more impressive, "the darkness the outside,"
there where the wailing and gnashing of teeth is heard in the
thick blackness of night.
8:14 {Lying sick of a fever} (\bibl•men•n kai puressousan\). Two
participles, bedridden (perfect passive of \ball•\) and burning
with fever (present active). How long the fever had had her we
have no means of knowing, possibly a sudden and severe attack
(Mr 1:30), as they tell Jesus about her on reaching the house
of Peter. We are not told what kind of fever it was. Fever itself
was considered a disease. "Fever" is from German feuer (fire)
like the Greek \pur\.
8:15 {Touched her hand} (\h•psato t•s cheiros aut•s\). In loving
sympathy as the Great Physician and like any good doctor today.
{Ministered} (\di•konei\). "Began to minister" (conative
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