That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

MATTHEW 8:17KJV
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Matthew 8:17 (KJV)

What does Matthew 8:17 mean?

Matthew 8:17 explains that Jesus’ healing of the sick fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah had said: that the Messiah would take on people’s weaknesses and carry their diseases. This verse connects Jesus’ actions to a specific prophecy, showing that his healing ministry was part of God’s plan foretold in Scripture.

In this verse, Matthew is writing about Jesus healing many people who were sick or troubled. Matthew points out that these miracles were not just acts of kindness, but were also the fulfillment of words spoken by Isaiah (called “Esaias” in the King James Version), a prophet from the Hebrew Scriptures. The verse highlights that Jesus’ compassion and power to heal were expected signs of the promised Savior.

The Greek behind Matthew 8:17

  • "ἔλαβεν" (elaben, “took”): This word often means to take up or receive, and here it suggests that Jesus actively took upon himself the burdens of others, not just observed them.
  • "ἀσθενείας" (astheneias, “infirmities”): This Greek word refers to weaknesses or illnesses, emphasizing both physical and possibly emotional or spiritual frailty.
  • "ἐβάστασεν" (ebastasen, “bare”): This word means to carry or bear, and it paints a picture of Jesus lifting and carrying away people’s sicknesses, not just healing but taking the weight of suffering.

Why Matthew 8:17 matters

  • Matthew 8:17 clarifies that Jesus’ miracles were not random acts, but intentional fulfillments of ancient prophecy, tying his ministry directly to the expectations of the Hebrew Scriptures.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus’ role included sharing in human suffering, not just performing supernatural acts from a distance, which deepens the sense of his compassion and involvement.
  • By quoting Isaiah, Matthew helps readers see Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, connecting his actions to a larger story and purpose that would have been meaningful to both Jewish and early Christian audiences.

Where else these words appear

“sicknesses” Greek G3554 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Luke 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;

“Esaias” Greek G2268 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  • Luke 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  • Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

“infirmities” Greek G769 · used in 23 verses

  • Luke 5:15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
  • Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

“spoken” Greek G4483 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
  • Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,(whoso readeth, let him understand:)