Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 8:2

2 And behold there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

We heard of Christ's going up into the Mountain, Mat. 5.1. and of great Multitudes, that followed him from Decapolis, and from Iudea, and from Ierusalem, and from beyond Iordan: Whether the same Multitude, or others followed him upon his coming down, is not said. But behold (saith the Evangelist) there came a Leper, both Mark and Luke have the same Story, or one very like to it, Mar. 1.40. Luk. 5.12. of the Plague, or Leprosie, we read much in the Books of Moses. It was a white Scab in the Flesh, which Gradually consumed the Body, and was Contagious: The Leper and he who touched him, or any thing he came near, was Legally unclean, thrice we read of it inflicted as a severe Punishment, upon Gehazi for lying, and taking Bribes, and upon King Vzziah, for offering Sacrifice. It was a Disease of very difficult Cure, this Leper comes and worshippeth Christ. Mark saith, that he kneeled down to him: Whether he only kneeled down, or prostrated himself is not much material, for either of them might be done according to the Fashion of those Countries, in token either of a Civil Respect, paid to him as a great and eminent Prophet, or a piece of Religious Homage (if he had so early a Revelation, that he was the Son of God, which some doubt) saying. Lord! If thou will thou canst make me clean. The term Lord, will not conclude his Recognizing Christ as the Son of God, being a term used by Sarah to Abraham, and afterwards to E[illegible: 1 letter]ijah. The words import his desire, tho they be not a Form of Prayer, but an acknowledgment of the Power of Christ. The Leper acknowledging C[illegible: 1 letter]ri[illegible: 1 letter]t's Power, submits himself to his Will, and so with the same Breath declareth his Faith and Modesty. He indeed declareth no Faith in the Will of God, nor can any Person exercise any such Faith as to any Temporal Mercy, any further, then as God shall judge it for our good.

Marginal references: Mar. 1.40. Luk. 5.12.