The Healing of The Leper (8:2-4).
Matthew abbreviates this story of the healing of the ‘Leper', bringing out only the essential detail (compare Mark 1:40-45). For it is that essential detail that he wants to get over. And we will soon learn that Jesus sees the healing of lepers as part of the Messianic ministry and the ministry of the Kingly Rule of Heaven (Matthew 10:7-8; Matthew 11:5). It is these things that make quite clear that ‘at hand' means ‘about to break in on all who will hear His word'.
But note how Matthew omits the fact that after this healing His fame spread abroad. For he wants us to recognise that that process only happened gradually, and thus leaves drawing attention to it until Matthew 9:26 onwards. This must also be seen as confirming that he sees Matthew 8:1 to Matthew 9:35 as one whole.
Leprosy is one of the things that the Coming One will remove from the Messianic Kingly Rule (Matthew 11:5). Thus we are justified in seeing in this leper a picture of the world defiled and unclean and waiting to be delivered. ‘He has torn and He will heal us, He has smitten and He will bind us up' (Hosea 6:1; compare Jeremiah 8:22; Jeremiah 46:11). Sin and its consequences are depicted in the Scriptures in terms of disfiguring disease, illness and uncleanness (Isaiah 1:4-6; compare Psalms 38:3-8. Consider also Isaiah 64:6). This healing is therefore a reminder that Jesus can heal each one of us of the leprosy of sin if only we will come and beseech Him to do His will and make us clean.
Analysis.
a And behold, there came to him a leper and worshipped him (Matthew 8:2 a).
b Saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2 b).
c And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him (Matthew 8:3 a).
b Saying, “I will, be you made clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed (Matthew 8:3 b).
a And Jesus says to him, “See you tell no man; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them” (Matthew 8:4).
Note how in ‘a' the leper comes to Jesus, and worships Him, and in the parallel he is told to go to the priest and offer his gift to God. In ‘b' is the confidence of the leper that by His will Jesus can make him clean, and in the parallel Jesus confirms that he is right and heals him. In ‘c' and centrally He reaches out and touches the leper. The Coming One reaches out to the lowest of the low.