Luke 8 Bible Commentary

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
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).
That he went throughout every city and village. Thus making a thorough circuit of the region of Galilee.
Preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God. John had preached repentance as a preparation for the kingdom; but Jesus now appears to have preached the kingdom itself, which was indeed to bring good tidings (Romans 14:17).
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 as ceaselessly instructing his disciples privately. The twelve were now serving an apprenticeship in that work on which he would soon send them forth alone. From this time forth we can hardly look upon Capernaum as the home of Jesus. From now to the end of his ministry his life was a wandering journey, and he and his apostles sustained by the offerings of 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,
Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. What a change of service, from demoniac bondage to the freedom of Christ! As to the vile slanders with which commentators have stained the good name of Mary Magdalene, see Luke 7:37. For further mention of her, see Matthew 27:56,61; Matthew 28:1; Mark 15:40,47; Mark 16:1,9; Luke 24:10 John 19:25; John 20:1,18. Mary's name indicates that she was a native of Magdala (Hebrew, Migdol, that is, "watch-tower"). Of all the towns which dotted the shores of Galilee in Christ's day, but this and Tiberias remain. It is on the west shore of the lake, at the southeast corner of the plain of Gennesaret, and is today a small collection of mud hovels. It still bears the name el-Mejdel, which is probably received from the adjoining watch-tower that guarded the entrance to the plain, the ruins of which are still to be seen. We should note that Mary Magdalene is not classed with restored profligates ("healed of 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.
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". The first may be translated "administrator, superintendent, or governor". It conveys the impression of an officer or higher rank. The Jewish rabbis called Obadiah the "epitropos" of Ahab. This was the office held by Chuzas, and its translated "treasurer" in the Arabic version. The second word may be translated "housekeeper, or domestic manager". It was an office usually held by some trusted slave as a reward for his fidelity. Chuzas was no doubt a man of means and influence. As there was no order of nobility in Galilee, and as such an officer might be nevertheless styled a nobleman, this Chuzas was very likely the nobleman of John 4:46. If so, the second miracle at Cana explains the devotion of Joanna to Jesus. Herod's capital was at Sepphoris, on an elevated tableland not far from Capernaum.
Susanna. Of Susanna there is no other record, this being enough to memorialize her.
And many others, who ministered unto them of their substance. The ministration of these women shows the poverty of Christ and his apostles, and explains how they were able to give themselves so unremittingly to the work. Some of the apostles also may have had means enough to contribute somewhat to the support of the company, but in any event the support was meager enough, for Jesus was among the poorest of earth (Luke 9:58; Matthew 17:24; 2 Corinthians 8:9). His reaping of carnal things was as 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 which bound 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 4:1,2; Luke 8:4
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
The sower went forth to sow his seed. See Mark 4:3.
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.
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.
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.
And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. See Mark 4:8.
As he said these things, he cried. A method of emphasis rarely employed by Jesus.
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.
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.
Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God:
but to the rest in parables. See Mark 4:11.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without,
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.
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
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.
But as they sailed he fell asleep. Knowing his labors during the day, we cannot wonder at this.
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.
Master, master, we perish. See Mark 4:38.
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?
Where is your faith? See Mark 4:40.
Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water,
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
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.
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.
What have I to do with thee? On this phrase, see John 2:4.
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.
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.
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.
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 9:1,2,11; Revelation 11:7; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:1,3. How these demons escaped from the abyss is one of the unsolved mysteries of the spirit world; but we have a parallel 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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee. See Mark 5:19.
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.
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
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.
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,
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.
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.
She came trembling, and falling down before him. See Mark 5:33.
Declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. To have permitted the woman to depart without this exposure would have confirmed her in the mistaken notion that Jesus healed rather by his "nature" than by his "will". Hence he questions her, not that he may obtain information, but rather as a means of imparting it. By his questions he reveals to her that no work of his is wrought without his consciousness, and that it 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.
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.
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.
Fear not. See Luke 1:30.
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.
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.
And all were weeping, and bewailing her. See Mark 5:38.
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.
And they laughed him to scorn. See Mark 5:40.

8:54  But he, taking her by the hand¹, called, saying, Maiden, arise².
But he, taking her by the hand. See Mark 1:31.
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.
And she rose up immediately. See Mark 5:42.
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.
And her parents were amazed. See Mark 5:42.
But he charged them to tell no man what had been done. See Mark 5:43.