When the even was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
the even.
Mark 1:32-34 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils…
Luke 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
they brought.
Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Matthew 9:2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
and he.
Matthew 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Mark 1:25-27,34 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him…
Mark 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
and healed.
Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus
Demon possession was a recognized condition in the first-century Jewish context, often associated with physical and mental afflictions. The act of bringing the demon-possessed to Jesus indicates the faith of the people in His authority over spiritual realms. This also highlights the widespread impact of demonic influence at the time and the recognition of Jesus as a spiritual authority.
and He drove out the spirits with a word
This phrase emphasizes the power and authority of Jesus, who needed only to speak to command the spirits. It reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's authority over evil (e.g., Isaiah 61:1). The simplicity of "a word" underscores His divine nature and contrasts with contemporary exorcism practices, which were often elaborate.
and healed all the sick
Jesus' healing of all the sick demonstrates His compassion and the comprehensive nature of His ministry. It fulfills prophecies such as Isaiah 53:4, which speaks of the Messiah bearing our infirmities. This act of healing serves as a type of the ultimate healing and restoration that Jesus offers through salvation. It also signifies the breaking in of God's kingdom, where sickness and suffering are eradicated.
• As the sun set, the day’s routine was winding down, yet Jesus’ ministry was just getting started. Mark 1:32 echoes the scene: “That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.”
• The timing highlights His tireless availability. Even at day’s end, He receives any who seek Him (cf. John 6:37).
• Darkness often symbolizes spiritual need (John 3:19), but the Light of the world keeps shining, ready to work.
• Scripture presents demonic forces as real personalities opposed to God (Ephesians 6:12; Acts 10:38). Their victims needed genuine liberation, not mere therapy.
• People “brought” them—an act of faith and compassion, believing Jesus truly delivers (Matthew 9:2; Luke 5:18-19).
• The crowd’s size (“many”) underscores how widespread spiritual bondage was, and how sufficient Christ’s power is for every case.
• No ritual, formula, or struggle—just His spoken command. Mark 1:25 records a similar moment: “Be silent and come out of him!”
• His authority is absolute. The centurion had recognized this earlier in the chapter: “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8).
• The same Word that created the universe (John 1:1-3) instantly overrules the kingdom of darkness (Luke 4:35).
• Physical sickness bows to Him as surely as demonic oppression. Matthew 4:23 describes Him “healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
• “All” leaves no exceptions; His compassion is as comprehensive as His authority (Psalm 103:3).
• Verse 17 will link these miracles to Isaiah 53:4, proving Jesus is the promised Servant who bears infirmities for His people.
Matthew 8:16 pictures Jesus ministering at day’s end, welcoming a surge of need, and effortlessly overturning both demonic and physical affliction. His spoken word is enough, revealing absolute divine authority and boundless compassion. The scene invites confidence that the same Lord still conquers darkness and restores lives today, completely and without limitation.
(16) When the even was come.--Or, as St. Luke has it, "While the sun was setting." There were two reasons why the time should be thus specified. (1) It was natural that the sick should be brought in the cool of the evening, rather than in the scorching heat of the afternoon; and (2) it was the Sabbath, and the feeling which made the Pharisees question the lawfulness of a man's carrying the bed on which he had been lying (John 5:10), would probably have deterred the friends of the sick from bringing them as long as it lasted. But with sunset the Sabbath came to a close, and then they would feel themselves free to act. The prominence given to "those that were possessed with devils," both by St. Matthew and St. Mark, shows that it was the work of the Sabbath morning that had most impressed itself on their minds.Verses 16, 17. - The great number of his miracles, and the secret of his performing them. Verse 16. - Parallel passages: Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:40. When the even was come; Revised Version, and when even-According to the original connexion, preserved, as it seems, in Mark and Luke, this was the evening of the day in which our Lord had healed the man with the withered hand in the synagogue. Probably, therefore, the day had been a sabbath. But with the setting sun (parallel passage in Luke), or rather, according to Talmudic teaching, when three stars were visible after sunset (vide Lightfoot, ' Her. Hebr.,' in lee.), the sabbath was over (Leviticus 23:32), and people were free to carry out their sick. Should the day not have been a sabbath, we may presume that the evening was chosen as cooler for the sick to be moved, and as more convenient to those who carried them, the day's work being done. They brought unto him many that were possessed with devils (Matthew 4:24, note): and he cast out the spirits with his (Revised Version, a) word (ver. 8). In contrast to saying over them the long formulas of exorcism used by others. And healed all that were sick. The stress is on all. None were so ill as to be beyond his power, and no kind of disease too great for him to subdue.