Luke 8

PLUS
8:1  And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages1, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God3, and with him the twelve4,
    FURTHER JOURNEYING ABOUT GALILEE. Luke 8:1-3

  1. And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages. That is, soon after his visit to the Pharisee( Luke 7:36 ).

  2. That he went throughout every city and village. Thus making a thorough circuit of the region of Galilee.

  3. Preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God. John had preached repentance as a preparation for the kingdom; but Jesus nowappears to have preached the kingdom itself, which was indeed to bringgood tidings ( Romans 14:17 ).

  4. And with him the twelve. We here get a glimpse of the tireless activities of the ministry of Christ. Journeying from place to place,he was constantly preaching the gospel publicly to the people, and asceaselessly instructing his disciples privately. The twelve were nowserving an apprenticeship in that work on which he would soon send themforth alone. From this time forth we can hardly look upon Capernaum asthe home of Jesus. From now to the end of his ministry his life was awandering journey, and he and his apostles sustained by the offeringsof friends. The circuit of Galilee here mentioned is peculiar to Luke.

8:2  and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out1,

  1. Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. What a change of service, from demoniac bondage to the freedom ofChrist! As to the vile slanders with which commentators have stainedthe good name of Mary Magdalene, see Luke 7:37. For furthermention of her, see Matthew 27:56 Matthew 27:61 ; Matthew 28:1 ; Mark 15:40 Mark 15:47 ; Mark 16:1 Mark 16:9 ; Luke 24:10 John 19:25 ; John 20:1 John 20:18 . Mary's name indicates that she was a native ofMagdala (Hebrew, Migdol, that is, "watch-tower"). Of all the townswhich dotted the shores of Galilee in Christ's day, but this andTiberias remain. It is on the west shore of the lake, at the southeastcorner of the plain of Gennesaret, and is today a small collection ofmud hovels. It still bears the name el-Mejdel, which is probablyreceived from the adjoining watch-tower that guarded the entrance tothe plain, the ruins of which are still to be seen. We should notethat Mary Magdalene is not classed with restored profligates ("healedof evil spirits") but with those who were healed of infirmities.

8:3  and Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod's steward1, and Susanna2, and many others, who ministered unto them of their substance3.

  1. Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod's steward. Joanna is mentioned again at Luke 24:10 . Of Chuzas we know nothing more than what is stated here.There are two Greek words for steward, "epitropos" and "oikonomos". Thefirst may be translated "administrator, superintendent, or governor".It conveys the impression of an officer or higher rank. The Jewishrabbis called Obadiah the "epitropos" of Ahab. This was the office heldby Chuzas, and its translated "treasurer" in the Arabic version. Thesecond word may be translated "housekeeper, or domestic manager". Itwas an office usually held by some trusted slave as a reward for hisfidelity. Chuzas was no doubt a man of means and influence. As therewas no order of nobility in Galilee, and as such an officer might benevertheless styled a nobleman, this Chuzas was very likely thenobleman of John 4:46 . If so, the second miracle at Cana explainsthe devotion of Joanna to Jesus. Herod's capital was at Sepphoris, onan elevated tableland not far from Capernaum.

  2. Susanna. Of Susanna there is no other record, this being enough to memorialize her.

  3. And many others, who ministered unto them of their substance. The ministration of these women shows the poverty of Christ and hisapostles, and explains how they were able to give themselves sounremittingly to the work. Some of the apostles also may have had meansenough to contribute somewhat to the support of the company, but in anyevent the support was meager enough, for Jesus was among the poorest ofearth ( Luke 9:58 ; Matthew 17:24 ; 2 Corinthians 8:9 ). His reaping of carnal things wasas scanty as his sowing of spiritual things was abundant ( 1 Corinthians 9:11 ).We should note how Jesus began to remove the fetters of custom whichbound women, and to bring about a condition of universal freedom( Galatians 3:28 ).

8:4  And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable1:

    THE FIRST GREAT GROUP OF PARABLES. (Beside the Sea of Galilee.) A. INTRODUCTION. Matthew 13:1-3 ; Mark 4:1 Mark 4:2 ; Luke 8:4

  1. He spake by a parable. See Mark 4:2.

8:5  The sower went forth to sow his seed1: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side2; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.

    THE FIRST GREAT GROUP OF PARABLES. (Beside the Sea of Galilee.) B. PARABLE OF THE SOWER. Matthew 13:3-23 ; Mark 4:3-25 ; Luke 8:5-18

  1. The sower went forth to sow his seed. See Mark 4:3.

  2. Some fell by the way side. See Mark 4:4.

8:6  And other fell on the rock1; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

  1. And other fell on the rock. See Mark 4:5.

8:7  And other fell amidst the thorns1; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.

  1. And other fell amidst the thorns. See Mark 4:7.

8:8  And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold1. As he said these things, he cried2, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear3.

  1. And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. See Mark 4:8.

  2. As he said these things, he cried. A method of emphasis rarely employed by Jesus.

  3. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. See Mark 4:9.

8:9  And his disciples asked him what this parable might be1.

  1. And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. See Mark 4:10.

8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God1: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand2.

  1. Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God:
  2. but to the rest in parables. See Mark 4:11.

  3. That seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. See Mark 4:12.

8:12  And those by the way side are they that have heard1; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

  1. And those by the way side are they that have heard, etc. See Mark 4:15.

8:13  And those on the rock [are] they1 who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

  1. And those on the rock [are] they, etc. See Mark 4:16.

8:14  And that which fell among the thorns1, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

  1. And that which fell among the thorns, etc. See Mark 4:18.

8:15  And that in the good ground1, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.

  1. And that in the good ground, etc. See Mark 4:20.

8:16  And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel1, or putteth it under a bed; but putteth it on a stand, that they that enter in may see the light.

  1. And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, etc. A passage similar to this is found in Matthew 5:15 . For notes,see Matthew 5:15.

8:17  For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest1; nor [anything] secret, that shall not be known and come to light.

  1. For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest. See Mark 4:22.

8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given1; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.

  1. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, etc. See Mark 4:25.

8:19  And there came to him his mother and brethren, and they could not come at him for the crowd1.

    CHRIST'S TEACHING AS TO HIS MOTHER AND BRETHREN. (Galilee, same day as the last lesson.) Matthew 12:46-50 ; Mark 3:31-35 ; Luke 8:19-21

  1. And there came to him his mother and brethren, and they could not come at him for the crowd. See Mark 3:31.

8:20  And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without1, desiring to see thee.

  1. And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without,
  2. desiring to see thee. See Mark 3:32.

8:21  But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these that hear the word of God, and do it1.

  1. My mother and my brethren are these that hear the word of God, and do it. See Mark 3:35.

8:22  Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake1: and they launched forth.

    JESUS STILLS THE STORM (Sea of Galilee; same day as the last section.) Matthew 8:18-27 ; Mark 4:35-41 ; Luke 8:22-25

  1. Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. See Mark 4:35.

8:23  But as they sailed he fell asleep1: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake2; and they were filling [with water], and were in jeopardy.

  1. But as they sailed he fell asleep. Knowing his labors during the day, we cannot wonder at this.

  2. And there came down a storm of wind on the lake. See Mark 4:37.

8:24  And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish1. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

  1. Master, master, we perish. See Mark 4:38.

  2. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. See Mark 4:39.

8:25  And he said unto them, Where is your faith1? And being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water2, and they obey him?

  1. Where is your faith? See Mark 4:40.

  2. Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water,
  3. and they obey him? See Mark 4:41.

8:26  And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes1, which is over against Galilee.

    JESUS HEALS TWO GERGESENE DEMONIACS (Gergesa, now called Khersa.) Matthew 8:28-34 ; Matthew 9:1 ; Mark 5:1-21 ; Luke 8:26-40

  1. The country of the Gerasenes. See Mark 5:1.

8:27  And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had demons1; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in [any] house, but in the tombs.

  1. A certain man out of the city, who had demons. See Mark 5:2.

8:28  And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee1, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not2.

  1. What have I to do with thee? On this phrase, see John 2:4.

  2. I beseech thee, torment me not. See Mark 5:7.

8:29  For he was commanding the unclean spirit1 to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the demon into the deserts.

  1. The unclean spirit. See Mark 1:23.

8:30  And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him.

  1. And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him. See Mark 5:9.

8:31  And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss1.

  1. Into the abyss. The abyss or bottomless pit was the proper abode of the demons. It is mentioned nine times in Scripture: Luke 8:31 ; Romans 10:7 Revelation 9:1 Revelation 9:2 Revelation 9:11 ; Revelation 11:7 ; Revelation 17:8 ; Revelation 20:1 Revelation 20:3 . How these demons escaped from the abyssis one of the unsolved mysteries of the spirit world; but we have aparallel in the releasing of Satan ( Revelation 20:1-3 ).

8:33  And the demons came out from the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were drowned1.

  1. And the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were drowned. See Mark 5:13.

8:34  And when they that fed them1 saw what had come to pass, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.

  1. They that fed them. See Mark 5:14.

8:35  And they went out to see what had come to pass; and they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons were gone out1, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus: and they were afraid.

  1. And they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons were gone out. A faint suggestion that there was another.See Mark 5:2.

8:38  But the man from whom the demons were gone out prayed him that he might be with him1: but he sent him away, saying,

  1. But the man from whom the demons were gone out prayed him that he might be with him. See Mark 5:18.

8:39  Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee1. And he went his way, publishing throughout the whole city2 how great things Jesus had done for him.

  1. Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee. See Mark 5:19.

  2. Throughout the whole city. Gergesa. See Matthew 4:25.

8:40  And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him; for they were all waiting for him1.

  1. For they were all waiting for him. They could see the sail of his boat as he started back.

8:41  And behold, there came a man named Jairus1, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him to come into his house;

    JAIRUS' DAUGHTER AND THE INVALID WOMAN. (Capernaum, same day as last.) Matthew 9:18-26 ; Mark 5:22-43 ; Luke 8:41-56

  1. Behold, there came a man named Jairus, etc. See Mark 5:22.

8:42  for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him1.

  1. But as he went the multitudes thronged him. See Mark 5:24.

8:43  And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,

  1. And a woman . . . who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any. See Mark 5:26.

8:44  came behind him, and touched the border of his garment1: and immediately the issue of her blood stanched.

  1. Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment. See Mark 5:27.

8:47  And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him1 declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately2.

  1. She came trembling, and falling down before him. See Mark 5:33.

  2. Declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. To have permittedthe woman to depart without this exposure would have confirmed her inthe mistaken notion that Jesus healed rather by his "nature" than byhis "will". Hence he questions her, not that he may obtain information,but rather as a means of imparting it. By his questions he reveals toher that no work of his is wrought without his consciousness, and thatit was himself and not his garment which had blessed her.

8:48  And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole1; go in peace.

  1. Thy faith hath made thee whole. See Mark 5:34.

8:49  While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's [house], saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher1.

  1. Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher. See Mark 5:35.

8:50  But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not1: only believe, and she shall be made whole2.

  1. Fear not. See Luke 1:30.

  2. Only believe, and she shall be made whole. Thus with words of confidence and cheer, Jesus revived the ruler's failing faith.

8:51  And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him1, save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother.

  1. He suffered not any man to enter in with him, etc. See Mark 5:37.

8:52  And all were weeping, and bewailing her1: but he said, Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth2.

  1. And all were weeping, and bewailing her. See Mark 5:38.

  2. Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth. See Mark 5:39.

8:53  And they laughed him to scorn1, knowing that she was dead.

  1. And they laughed him to scorn. See Mark 5:40.

8:54  But he, taking her by the hand1, called, saying, Maiden, arise2.

  1. But he, taking her by the hand. See Mark 1:31.

  2. Called, saying, Maiden, arise See Mark 5:41.

8:55  And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately1: and he commanded that [something] be given her to eat2.

  1. And she rose up immediately. See Mark 5:42.

  2. And he commanded that [something] be given her to eat. See Mark 5:43.

8:56  And her parents were amazed1: but he charged them to tell no man what had been done2.

  1. And her parents were amazed. See Mark 5:42.

  2. But he charged them to tell no man what had been done. See Mark 5:43.