Luke Chapter Eight
The Women's Ministry
8:1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
Luke reports that Jesus and His disciples traveled through several cities and villages proclaiming the gospel message. Along with them were several women who had been healed by Jesus. Luke identifies a few of them by name: Mary Magdalene, who had seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager; and Susanna. Luke notes that these women supported and provided for Jesus, His disciples, and His ministry out of their own means.
Parable of the Sower
[Text parallels Matthew 13:1-9 and Mark 4:3-9]
8:4 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Speaking to a large crowd, Jesus taught several parables. He begins with the sower going out to sow seed. Some of the seed lands on a path which was trampled on and the birds came and ate the seeds. Some fell on rock, but as it grew up it withered away, as it lacked water. Some fell among thorns, which ultimately choked out the good seed. And some fell onto good soil and grew into crops yielding a hundredfold.
Jesus later explains the parable to His disciples (see verses 11-15). The seed is the Word of God and the locations represent how people will respond to the Word. The sower represents Christians who are obeying the Great Commission and are actively involved in telling others the gospel message. Many will reject or appear to accept and then later renounce God’s offer of salvation, but there will be many, producing a hundredfold, who will accept Jesus as their Savior.
Luke records that Jesus then called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”[1]
The Purpose of Parables and an Explanation
[Text parallels Matthew 13:10-23 and Mark 4:10-20]
8:9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’
The disciples asked Jesus what the parable of the sower meant. Jesus first explains why He is teaching with parables and that they (and all Christians) have been given the secrets of the kingdom of God. But for those who the truth has not been revealed to (by the Holy Spirit), they see but do not recognize, and hear but do not understand, to them parables will sound nonsensical.[2]
8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Jesus begins to explain the parable by first identifying the seed that is being sowed is the Word of God, which includes the gospel message. Jesus identifies the birds in the parable as being the devil, Satan. He explains that the seed that landed on the path represent those that heard the Word but soon Satan comes along and takes the Word from their hearts. Jesus adds that the devil’s motivation was so that the person may not believe, using a variety of worldly influences (such as science denying the existence of God, peer pressure, intellectual barriers, etc.), resulting in the person not being saved.
8:13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
The seed that landed on the rock are those that heard the Word and accept the Word with great joy. But the seed had no root, those people believed for only a short period of time. As soon as they were challenged, experienced pain, persecution, or any form of suffering as a result of their beliefs, they abandoned their faith.
8:14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
The seed that fell among the thorns represent those that heard the Word, but were choked out by the many distractions and attractions in life, including the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and cares (Greek ‘merimnōn’,[3] anxiety, things that can disrupt, can include health issues, financial issues, employment status, etc. Jesus said not to worry about these things, see Matthew 6:25). Being only superficial, these ‘Christians’ never mature, never obtaining a relationship with Jesus.
8:15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Jesus then reports that some of the seed will indeed land on good soil. Representing people who will hear the Word and hold it firmly in their hearts. Bearing fruit with perseverance (visible and tangible evidence of their commitment to Jesus).[4]
The Revealing Light
[Text parallels Mark 4:21-23]
8:16 “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
Luke records Jesus offering another parable, saying that no one covers a lamp with a jar or puts it under a bed, but instead puts the lamp on a stand to light up the room. He then warns that there will be a time when nothing will be hidden. Everything will be exposed to the light. There will no longer be any secrets. It is interesting to note that in the parable, the lamp that is placed on a stand is for those entering may see the light, not the things it illuminates, but the light itself. Jesus is that Light (see Revelation 22:5). Christians need to stand firm for Jesus and represent Him in a dark world, not for people to see them but for all to see the Light of the world.[5]
Jesus then states that one is to take care ‘how’ they hear, or more precisely, ‘how’ they listen and comprehend. The more one reads and understands the Word of God, the more knowledge will be revealed to them. But, for those that reject God and His Word, they will not be able to comprehend the Word, as even what they think to be true will be taken away.[6] Moving from rational thinking to emotional responses.
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
[Text parallels Matthew 12:46-50 and Mark 3:31-35]
8:19 Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20 And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
This event is difficult to understand as it appears that Jesus is rejecting His family. Since His mother and brothers could not get close to Jesus, He was sent a message from them that they desired to see Him. Instead of greeting them, He announced to everyone there that His mother and brother are those who hear the Word of God and follow what they hear (or read). Jesus was not rejected or denouncing His family, He was making the statement that while He is teaching and presenting the gospel to others, He represents His Father in heaven. Pointing to a time, after His work on the cross, when believers will be adopted as sons and daughters of God, co-heirs with Jesus (see Romans 8:12-17), which they are today.
Jesus Rebukes a Raging Storm
[Text parallels Matthew 8:18, 23-27 and Mark 4:35-41]
8:22 One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
Jesus and His disciples get into a boat to cross the lake. Soon a raging storm approaches, filling the boat with water. These experienced fishermen apparently thought that this storm was a serious threat to their lives as they urgently wake Jesus. They cried out, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves and the storm immediately stopped, all was calm. He turned to His disciples and asked them, “Where is your faith?” This event frightened them, as they realized that they were in the presence of someone very powerful. They wondered as they spoke among themselves, “Who then is this, that He commands even winds and water, and they obey Him?” Even after all of the supernatural influences the disciples had witnessed, weather changes, healings, demons casted out, etc., they still did not fully understand who Jesus was.[7]
Demons Sent Into Pigs
[Text parallels Matthew 8:28-34 and Mark 5:1-20]
8:26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.
Jesus and the disciples sailed across the lake to the country of Gerasenes located on the opposite shore from the Galilee region.[8] When Jesus got out of the boat He was greeted by a man who was possessed by many demons. Luke adds that he had not worn any clothes for a long time and that he had been living among the tombs. In other words he was standing naked and disheveled in front of Jesus.
In Matthew’s account he reports that there were two demon-possessed men[9] and that they were so fierce and dangerous that they would not let anyone pass. Seeing the boat approach at least one of them came running down likely to terrorize the new arrivals. But when they saw Jesus, the attempt to attack quickly stopped. Before continuing we need to reconcile the differences between Matthew’s statement that there were two men versus what both Mark and Luke report of only one individual. First of all, neither Mark nor Luke state that there was only one, they only talk about one individual. According to Mark and Luke only one of the men came down to the boat, that does not negate Matthew’s account. The one closer to Jesus and the one doing all the talking is the one being reported.
8:28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.”
The demon recognized Jesus and fell down before Him and in a loud voice asked Him what was He going to do with him, concerned that Jesus was going to torment him. He then proclaimed Jesus’ name and called Him the Son of the Most High God.
8:29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.)
Many consider this verse to be a parenthetical statement that Luke added to provide additional background information regarding the man. Noting that the demon had seized control of the man, but could not be bound as he was always able to break the chains and shackles after being restrained and escape into the desert. Going back to the beginning of the verse we see that it begins with a statement that Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man, but that had not happened yet. Some believe that it is a prolepsis,[10] referring to something before it actually occurred, while others believe that Jesus commanded the spirit to come out before they even met face to face.
8:30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
Jesus asks the demon, “What is your name?” The demon responded with a brash “Legion,” as there were several demons inside the man. Since demons undoubtedly know Scripture they would know the events regarding the end times. Making them aware when and where they will end up, being first sent to the Abyss and then to the Lake of Fire, also known as Hell[11] (see Revelation 20:1-10). But that wasn’t supposed happen for many more years, so the demons pleaded not to be sent there before that time (in Mark’s account they ask not to be sent out of the country, see Mark 5:10). The demons begged Jesus to allow them to enter the herd of pigs that were nearby. Jesus gave them permission to do that. However, once they entered the pigs, the herd ran down a steep bank falling into the lake and they all drowned.[12]
8:34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.
The herdsmen for the pigs, seeing and possibly hearing what happened, left and reported the event to everyone in the city and country. People came out to see for themselves where they encounter Jesus and the man that was possessed by the demons now sitting fully clothed and in his right mind (also finding undoubtedly a sea of floating dead pigs). Possibly recognizing that they were in the presence of someone great and powerful, they were afraid. The people that had gathered at the scene asked Jesus and His disciples to leave as they were seized with that fear. They then got back in the boat.[13]
8:38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
The man that was healed wanted to go with them, but Jesus told him to return home and declare to others all that God had done for him. The man left, and he immediately began proclaiming to everyone throughout the city what Jesus did for him.[14] It is interesting to note that in this and none of the other gospel accounts of this event did Jesus tell the previously demon-possessed man to be silent about the healing. But instead, encouraged the man to “declare how much God has done for you.” Mark records that the man went back to the Decapolis and began spreading the word about Jesus. Perhaps since that region was predominantly Gentile, the timing of His revealing may not have been vital or important.[15]
Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus’ Daughter
[Text parallels Matthew 9:18-26 and Mark 5:40-56]
8:40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Now back at Capernaum, Jesus was greeted by a large crowd that was waiting for Him to return. A man named Jairus, the ruler of the local synagogue, came up to Jesus and fell down at His feet. He implored Jesus to come to his house to heal his twelve-year old daughter. Jesus agreed to go and began to walk to his house, but the crowd was big and was pressing in. A woman who had a condition of uncontrolled bleeding that had been going on for twelve years and after seeing several doctors was now broke and desperate, she touched Jesus. When she did, the bleeding immediately ceased. Jesus stopped and asked, who touched Me? When no one confessed, Peter noted that the crowd had been pressing in on them and that it was likely one of them. But Jesus continued to say that someone touched Him and that He perceived power leaving Him. The woman finally came forward, trembling and falling down before Him, confessed that she had touched Him and that she was immediately healed. Jesus said to her that her faith in Him made her well and she could go in peace.[16]
8:49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
While Jesus was still talking, someone from Jairus’ home came up and told him that his daughter had died and not to bother the Teacher (Jesus) any more. Jesus told Jairus to disregard the message but instead not to fear, just believe, and she will be well. When they arrived at the house, Jesus only allowed Peter, John, James, Jairus, and his wife to enter the home. They were met by people weeping and mourning, Jesus told them to stop as the girl was not dead, as she was just sleeping. They just laughed at Him. Jesus took the hand of the girl and said, “Child, arise.” Her spirit returned and immediately got up. Jesus instructed that she be given something to eat. Her parents were amazed, but Jesus told them to not tell anyone about the resurrection.
This experience, without a doubt affected Jairus’ and his family’s thinking regarding Jesus as the Messiah. As the ruler of the synagogue, this belief may have been extended into his teaching.
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[1] See commentary under Matthew 13:1-9.
[2] See also commentaries under Matthew 13:10-13 and Mark 4:10-12.
[3] Strong’s Greek 3308.
[4] See also commentary under Matthew 13:18-23.
[5] See commentary under Mark 4:21-23.
[6] See commentary under Mark 4:24-25.
[7] See commentaries under Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:35-341.
[8] See commentary under Mark 5:1-5 regarding this location.
[9] See Considerations under Matthew 8:28-34 regarding “Demons” and “Demon Possession.”
[10] The representation or assumption of a future act or development as if presently existing or accomplished.
[11] See Considerations under Matthew 8:5-13 "Hell By Any Other Name is Still Hell or Is it?"
[12] See commentary under Mark 5:6-13.
[13] See commentary under Mark 5:14-17.
[14] See commentary under Mark 5:18-20.
[15] See Considerations under Matthew 9:27-31 regarding "Tell No One" and Matthew 21:6-11 regarding "The Hour Has Come."
[16] See commentary and Considerations under Mark 5:35-43.