Luke8

Jesus preaches the kingdom of God, teaches the parable of the sower, and defines his spiritual family. He demonstrates divine power by calming a storm and casting out a legion of devils from a man into swine. The chapter concludes with two significant healings: a woman with a twelve-year issue of blood and the raising of Jairus's daughter from the dead.

Jesus’ Itinerant Ministry and Supporters

1
Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve, ​
2
and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Miriam who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; ​
3
and Yochanah, the wife of Kuza, Herod’s steward; Shoshanah; and many others; who served them from their possessions. ​

The Parable of the Sower

4
When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.
5
“The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.
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Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
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Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.
8
Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
9
Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”
10
He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ ​
11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12
Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
13
Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.
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That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
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That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produces fruit with patience. ​

The Purpose of Light and Hearing

16
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. ​
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For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light. ​
18
Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.” ​

Jesus Defines His True Family

19
His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd.
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It was told him by some saying, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.”
21
But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.” ​

Jesus Calms a Storm

22
Now on one of those days, he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out.
23
But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water. ​
24
They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm.
25
He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying one to another, “Who is this, then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” ​

Healing the Gerasene Demoniac

26
They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. ​
27
When Yeshua stepped ashore, a certain man out of the city who had demons for a long time met him. He wore no clothes, and didn’t live in a house, but in the tombs.
28
When he saw Yeshua, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What do I have to do with you, Yeshua, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!”
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For Yeshua was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters. Breaking the bands apart, he was driven by the demon into the desert.
30
Yeshua asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered into him. ​
31
They begged him that he would not command them to go into the abyss. ​
32
Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter into those. He allowed them.
33
The demons came out of the man, and entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned.
34
When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.
35
People went out to see what had happened. They came to Yeshua, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Yeshua’s feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
36
Those who saw it told them how he who had been possessed by demons was healed.
37
All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. He entered into the boat, and returned. ​
38
But the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might go with him, but Yeshua sent him away, saying,
39
“Return to your house, and declare what great things God has done for you.” He went his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Yeshua had done for him. ​

Jairus’s Daughter and the Woman Healed

40
When Yeshua returned, the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. ​
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Behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Yeshua’s feet, and begged him to come into his house, ​
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for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him.
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A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be healed by any, ​
44
came behind him, and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately the flow of her blood stopped. ​
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Yeshua said, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes press and jostle you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
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But Yeshua said, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me.” ​
47
When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
48
He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” ​
49
While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house came, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Rabbi.”
50
But Yeshua hearing it, answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed.” ​
51
When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, Yochanan, Jacob, the father of the child, and her mother.
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All were weeping and mourning her, but he said, “Don’t weep. She isn’t dead, but sleeping.” ​
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They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead.
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But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!”
55
Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat.
56
Her parents were amazed, but he commanded them to tell no one what had been done. ​

Study Notes for Luke 8

Verse 1

Luke emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Jesus’ traveling ministry, extending to every city and village, focusing on preaching the good news of the Kingdom.

Verse 2

Luke consistently highlights the role of women in the ministry. Mary Magdalene is prominent, listed first among those who had received healing and now supported Jesus.

Verse 3

This verse provides crucial socio-economic detail. These women, including Joanna, whose husband was a manager in Herod’s court, used their personal resources to financially support Jesus and the Twelve.

Verse 10

Jesus explains that parables serve a dual purpose: they reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom to disciples while simultaneously obscuring the truth from those outside who are unwilling to receive it.

Verse 15

Luke defines successful discipleship by three qualities: an 'honest and good heart,' diligent retention of the word, and bringing forth fruit through patient endurance.

Verse 16

This transitional saying means that the revelation of the Kingdom, currently taught in parables, is not meant to be hidden but will eventually be clearly displayed through the disciples.

Verse 17

The secrets (mysteries) of the Kingdom, which are currently veiled by parables, will inevitably be made known, reinforcing the necessity of discipleship.

Verse 18

This verse warns about spiritual receptivity. Those who listen attentively and respond positively will gain deeper understanding, while those who are careless will lose even the knowledge they seemed to have.

Verse 21

Jesus shifts the definition of family from biological kinship to spiritual obedience, establishing that true relationship with him is based on hearing the word of God and acting upon it.

Verse 23

Jesus’ sleeping highlights his genuine humanity, while the sudden, violent storm (a common danger on the Sea of Galilee) sets the stage for a demonstration of his divine power.

Verse 25

Jesus challenges the disciples’ lack of faith in the face of danger. Their subsequent fear and questioning of his identity reveal the impact of this miracle on their understanding of who he is.

Verse 26

The country of the Gadarenes (or Gerasenes) was in the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile region, signaling that Jesus’ ministry extended beyond Jewish territory.

Verse 30

The name 'Legion' refers to a Roman military unit (which could number up to 6,000 men), signifying the massive number and powerful, organized nature of the demonic force possessing the man.

Verse 31

The 'deep' (Greek: *abyssos*) is the underworld or the prison for evil spirits and fallen angels (cf. Revelation 9:1), a place the demons recognized as their destined punishment.

Verse 37

The local people, terrified by the destruction of the swine and the display of overwhelming divine power, asked Jesus to leave, preferring stability over radical intervention.

Verse 39

Unlike other miracles where Jesus commanded silence, here he explicitly instructs the healed Gentile man to evangelize his community, making him a witness to God’s power.

Verse 40

Jesus returned to Galilee, where he was welcomed by a waiting crowd, illustrating his popularity among the Jewish population despite his recent rejection by the Gentiles across the lake.

Verse 41

Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, held a position of high status and leadership within the local Jewish community, underscoring the significance of his public plea to Jesus.

Verse 43

The woman’s condition, an issue of blood, rendered her perpetually ritually unclean according to Mosaic Law (Leviticus 15:25), causing severe social and religious isolation for 12 years.

Verse 44

Touching the fringe or 'border' of Jesus’ garment (the *tzitzit* or tassel) was an act of faith, suggesting she believed his holiness could be transferred to her, leading to immediate healing.

Verse 46

Jesus perceives that 'virtue' (Greek: *dynamis*, meaning power or strength) has flowed out of him. The healing was not accidental but a conscious transfer of divine energy activated by faith.

Verse 48

Jesus affirms that it was her faith, not the physical touch alone, that made her whole. By calling her 'Daughter,' he restores her social and spiritual status within the community.

Verse 50

Jesus immediately counters the message of death with a command to trust, demonstrating that his power extends beyond healing sickness to conquering death itself.

Verse 52

Using 'sleep' as a metaphor for death was common in the early church, emphasizing that for those under God’s power, death is a temporary state preceding resurrection.

Verse 56

Jesus often imposed silence (the 'messianic secret') after miracles, possibly to control the pace of revelation concerning his messianic identity and to avoid provoking political unrest.

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