Luke 8
Luke 8 presents the ministry and teachings of Jesus, as well as how people who hear those teachings respond. The chapter is made up of several events; for example, the Parable of the Sower, Jesus’ power (calming the crowd, healing the demon-possessed, and bringing Jairus’ daughter back to life) is recorded. Amid a variety of people and situations, it describes who Jesus is and how we should listen to and receive His words.
1verseSoon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve,
2verseand certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
3verseand Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who served them from their possessions.
4verseWhen a great multitude came together and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable:
5verse“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.
6verseSome seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7verseSome fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
8verseSome 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!”
9verseThen his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”
10verseHe said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’
11verse“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12verseThose 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.
13verseThose on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.
14verseWhat 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 they bring no fruit to maturity.
15verseThose in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.
16verse“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.
17verseFor nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
18verseBe 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.”
19verseHis mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd.
20verseSome people told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.”
21verseBut he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”
22verseNow 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.
23verseBut as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.
24verseThey came to him and awoke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are dying!” He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water; then they ceased, and it was calm.
25verseHe said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid, they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
26verseThen they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.
27verseWhen Jesus 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.
28verseWhen he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!”
29verseFor Jesus 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 bonds apart, he was driven by the demon into the desert.
30verseJesus asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered into him.
31verseThey begged him that he would not command them to go into the abyss.
32verseNow 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. Then he allowed them.
33verseThe 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.
34verseWhen those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country.
35versePeople went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
36verseThose who saw it told them how he who had been possessed by demons was healed.
37verseAll the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. Then he entered into the boat and returned.
38verseBut the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39verse“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 Jesus had done for him.
40verseWhen Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.
41verseBehold, a man named Jairus came. He was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come into his house,
42versefor he had an only born daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him.
43verseA 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,
44versecame behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak. Immediately the flow of her blood stopped.
45verseJesus 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?’”
46verseBut Jesus said, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me.”
47verseWhen 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.
48verseHe said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
49verseWhile he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house came, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher.”
50verseBut Jesus hearing it, answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed.”
51verseWhen he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and her mother.
52verseAll were weeping and mourning her, but he said, “Don’t weep. She isn’t dead, but sleeping.”
53verseThey were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead.
54verseBut he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!”
55verseHer spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat.
56verseHer parents were amazed, but he commanded them to tell no one what had been done.
The Parable of the Sower and Its Meaning
The Parable of the Sower (8:4-15) figuratively shows how people who hear Jesus’ teaching receive it with different attitudes. The examples of seed falling on the path, on rocky ground, among thorns, and on good soil emphasize the importance of the way we listen and the condition of the heart. Ultimately, the good soil that bears fruit refers to a life of faith that hears and keeps the word.
Women Participating in the Ministry
The opening of Luke 8 (8:1-3) shows that women also accompanied Jesus’ ministry, serving Jesus and the disciples out of their possessions. This is an important passage that highlights women’s faith and devotion in the Gospels, as well as their role within the community.
Jesus’ Power: The Storm, Demons, Sickness, and Death
- Calming the storm (8:22-25): While traveling by boat with the disciples, when a storm arises, Jesus calms it with a command. This reveals His authority over nature.
- Healing the demon-possessed (8:26-39): Jesus heals a man who is possessed by the Legion of demons. Emphasis is placed on the change in the demon-possessed person and the expansion of Jesus’ power.
- Jairus’ daughter and the woman with a twelve-year hemorrhage (8:40-56): It shows that when people who are alienated from the world and in the most hopeless circumstances place their trust in Jesus and move toward Him, change, salvation, and new life come.
The Importance of the Right Attitude for Hearing the Gospel
What is emphasized repeatedly throughout this chapter is the attitude of hearing the word. It is not just about being amazed at Jesus’ miracles or power; it also addresses how we should listen and receive His words so that they take root in real life and bear fruit. Even in the final section (8:21), Jesus says, “Those who hear the word of God and do it are truly family.”
Points for Reflection
- What kind of heart-soil am I using to hear the word right now?
- How are the power and love that Jesus showed applying to my life?
- Let’s examine whether the faith that hears, keeps, and does His word is showing itself as fruit in my life.
Putting It into Practice for Myself
- Today, let’s take a moment to check my attitude toward the word and commit to receiving it with a more open heart and carrying it out in practice.
- In daily life, let’s make a decision to live this week by trusting in the grace of peace, love, and healing that Jesus gives, and by fulfilling the role of light and salt in the world.