Targeted Audience

 Matthew 8:1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

After the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew turns to a running list of miracles performed by Jesus. This first one shows the power of Christ to heal.  What is interesting to note is that Jesus tells him to tell no on, but instead go to the priest "as a proof for them."  Jesus did not have to show this man His authority; he already believed in His power; the priests were His target audience. Throughout the rest of the chapter, He chooses a variety of audiences: a Roman centurion, Peter's neighbors, His small collection of disciples, and the wicked territory of Gadara. In each of these, the recipients of the healing were not the intended target, but those connected to them - especially those not present when the miracles took place. We know that because Matthew was not even disciple yet; he was not on that ship, but it impacted him greatly.