Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
Jesus saith - See thou tell no man - Had our Lord, at this early period, fully manifested himself as the Messiah, the people in all likelihood would have proclaimed him King; this, however, refused by him, must have excited the hatred of the Jewish rulers, and the jealousy of the Roman government; and, speaking after the manner of men, his farther preachings and miracles must have been impeded. This alone seems to be the reason why he said to the leper, See thou tell no man.
Show thyself to the priest - This was to conform to the law instituted in this case, Leviticus 14:1, etc.
Offer the gift - This gift was two living, clean birds, some cedar wood, with scarlet and hyssop, Leviticus 14:4, which were to be brought for his cleansing; and, when clean, two he lambs, one ewe lamb, three tenth deals of flour, and one log of oil, Leviticus 14:10; but if the person was poor, then he was to bring one lamb, one tenth deal of flour, one log of oil and two turtle doves, or young pigeons, Leviticus 14:21, Leviticus 14:22. See the notes on Leviticus 14 (note).
Now all this was to be done for a testimony to them; to Proverbs that this leper, who was doubtless well known in the land, had been thoroughly cleansed; and thus, in this private way, to give full proof to the priesthood that Jesus was the true Messiah. The Jewish rabbins allowed that curing the lepers should be a characteristic of the Messiah; (see Bishop Chandler' s Vindication); therefore the obstinacy of the priests, etc., in rejecting Christ, was utterly inexcusable.
Other Adam Clarke entries containing Matthew 8:4:
Leviticus 14:3
Leviticus 14:10
Matthew 9:30
Matthew 12:16
Mark 1:43
Mark 7:36
Luke 5:12
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