Luke 8:1

¶ And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve [were] with him,

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096} afterward {G1722}{G2517}, that {G2532} he {G846} went {G1353} throughout every {G2596} city {G4172} and {G2532} village {G2968}, preaching {G2784} and {G2532} shewing the glad tidings {G2097} of the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}: and {G2532} the twelve {G1427} were with {G4862} him {G846},

After this, Yeshua traveled about from town to town and village to village, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God. With him were the Twelve,

Soon afterward, Jesus traveled from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,

And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve,

Luke 8:1 provides a concise summary of Jesus Christ's ongoing and extensive ministry throughout Galilee and beyond. This verse highlights His primary mission: proclaiming the central message of the Kingdom of God, accompanied by His core group of disciples.

Context of Luke 8:1

This verse follows a significant period in Luke's Gospel, where Jesus has been teaching through parables (such as the Sower in Luke 8:5-8, which immediately follows this verse), performing miracles (like calming the storm in Luke 8:22-25), and engaging with various people, including those who sought healing and forgiveness. It signifies a continuation and expansion of His public outreach, emphasizing His commitment to reaching all people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extensive Itinerant Ministry: Jesus' ministry was not confined to one location. He actively "went throughout every city and village," demonstrating a tireless commitment to spread the message broadly. This widespread travel underscores the urgency and importance of His mission to reach as many as possible with the good news.
  • The Centrality of the Kingdom of God: The core of Jesus' message was "the glad tidings of the kingdom of God." This phrase, often translated as the "gospel" (from the Greek word euangelion, meaning "good news" or "glad tidings"), refers to the sovereign rule of God breaking into human history through Jesus Himself. It encompasses God's plan of salvation, His righteous reign, and the promise of a new creation. Jesus' initial call to repentance was always in light of the Kingdom of God being at hand.
  • Discipleship in Practice: The presence of "the twelve" with Jesus is crucial. It signifies their ongoing training and active participation in His ministry. They were not merely observers but apprentices, learning firsthand how to preach, teach, and minister. This period was vital for their development before Jesus would later send them out on their own mission, as seen in Luke 9:2.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "glad tidings" comes from the Greek word euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον), from which we derive "evangelism" and "gospel." It literally means "good message" or "good news." In the context of the New Testament, it specifically refers to the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and the establishment of God's Kingdom. This emphasizes the positive, life-changing nature of Jesus' message.

Practical Application

Luke 8:1 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Proactive Outreach: Jesus' example encourages us to be active in sharing the gospel, not waiting for people to come to us, but intentionally going out to share the "good news" of God's Kingdom.
  • Focus on the Core Message: Our primary message, like Jesus', should be centered on the Kingdom of God—God's reign, His love, and the salvation offered through Christ.
  • Importance of Discipleship: Just as Jesus trained the Twelve, there is a continuous need for mentorship and practical training within the Christian community for those who are called to ministry or simply to live out their faith effectively.

This verse serves as a foundational summary of Jesus' public ministry and the critical role of His chosen disciples in spreading the transformative message of God's reign.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 4:23

    ¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

  • Romans 10:15

    And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

  • Acts 10:38

    How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

  • Acts 13:32

    And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

  • Matthew 10:2

    Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother;

  • Matthew 10:4

    Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

  • Mark 3:16

    And Simon he surnamed Peter;
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