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Jesus not only teaches with authority, he also acts with authority. These ten miracles are divided into three groups separated by two passages that deal with discipleship (8:18-22; 9:9-17).
The first block of miracles consists of three healings: the leper, the centurion’s servant, and Peter’s mother-in-law. These miracles emphasize the mission of Jesus: to relieve suffering and to bring wholeness (cf. 8:17; note also that all the miracles in this block are healings). These miracles also indicate that Jesus directs his ministry toward those who were held in low esteem by Jewish culture: the leper (vv.1-4), the Gentile (vv.5-13), and a woman (vv.14-15). Jesus associates with the rejected and downtrodden in order to bring healing to them.
Mt 8:18-22 emphasizes the cost of discipleship. Because Jesus acts with complete authority, he can expect total commitment from those who would be his disciples.
The miracles in 8:23-9:8 point to the comprehensive nature of Jesus' authority: He has power over nature (vv.23-27), demons (vv.28-34), and disease (9:1-8). The power manifested in these miracles should cause persons to realize that Jesus also has authority to forgive sins, and to trust him for forgiveness (vv.6-8).
Mt 9:9-17 speaks of the newness of the kingdom. The miracles in this chapter indicate that Jesus acts with power and authority never seen before (v.33); they demonstrate that God is doing something new in Jesus. Therefore, persons must adjust their understanding of reality and of God’s work in the world to the new age of the kingdom that God is bringing in through Jesus.
The last block of miracles focuses on the power of Jesus to deliver (9:18-34). In the face of human weakness and hopelessness, Jesus shows that he is able to save, even from the bondage of death.