KJV
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,
2And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
3And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
4¶ And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
5‹A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.›
6‹And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.›
7‹And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.›
8‹And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold.› And when he had said these things, he cried, ‹He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.›
9And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
10And he said, ‹Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.›
11‹Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.›
12‹Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.›
13‹They on the rock› [are they], ‹which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.›
14‹And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of› [this] ‹life, and bring no fruit to perfection.›
15‹But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep› [it], ‹and bring forth fruit with patience.›
16‹No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth› [it] ‹under a bed; but setteth› [it] ‹on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.›
17‹For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither› [any thing] ‹hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.›
18‹Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.›
19Then came to him [his] mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
20And it was told him [by certain] which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
21And he answered and said unto them, ‹My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.›
22¶ Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, ‹Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.› And they launched forth.
23But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy.
24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
25And he said unto them, ‹Where is your faith?› And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.
26And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
27And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in [any] house, but in the tombs.
28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, [thou] Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
29(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30And Jesus asked him, saying, ‹What is thy name?› And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
31And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
32And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
33Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.
34When they that fed [them] saw what was done, they fled, and went and told [it] in the city and in the country.
35Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36They also which saw [it] told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
38Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39‹Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee.› And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
40¶ And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people [gladly] received him: for they were all waiting for him.
41And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
42For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
44Came behind [him], and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
45And Jesus said, ‹Who touched me?› When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press [thee], and sayest thou, Who touched me?
46And Jesus said, ‹Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.›
47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
48And he said unto her, ‹Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.›
49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's [house], saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
50But when Jesus heard [it], he answered him, saying, ‹Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.›
51And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
52And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, ‹Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.›
53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
54And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, ‹Maid, arise.›
55And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
56And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
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Affections of the Wicked, not Sincerely Set on God Luke 8:13
The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
Agriculture of the Sower Luke 8:5–15
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. / Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings.
All Christians should be As Missionaries: Joanna Luke 8:3
Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means.
Amusements and Worldly Pleasures: Choke the Word of God in the Heart Luke 8:14
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
Animals: Possessed of Devils Luke 8:33
Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
Apostasy: Caused by Persecution Luke 8:13
The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
Apostasy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 8:13
The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
Apostates: Persecution Tends to Make Luke 8:13
The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away.
Being a Light Luke 8:16
No one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.
Blindness: Spiritual Luke 8:10, 12
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ / The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Care: Worldly Luke 8:14
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
Character of the Renewed Heart: Honest and Good Luke 8:15
But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Character: Instability of Luke 8:5–15
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. / Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings.
Chiding: Jesus Chides his Disciples: On Account of Their Unbelief Luke 8:25
“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”
Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents by Jesus Luke 8:49–56
While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.” / But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” / When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.
Children: Death of, As a Judgment Upon Parents: Healing of Luke 8:42–56
because his only daughter, who was about twelve, was dying. As Jesus went with him, the crowds pressed around Him, / including a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money on physicians, but no one was able to heal her. / She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
Christian Maturity Luke 8:14
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature.
Christian Minister: Compared to Sowers Luke 8:5–8
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture. / Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the seedlings.
Chuza: Herod's Steward Luke 8:3
Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means.
Converts: |Good Ground| Luke 8:4–15
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, He told them this parable: / “A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, where it was trampled, and the birds of the air devoured it. / Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the seedlings withered because they had no moisture.
Converts: Gadarenes Luke 8:35–39
So the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. / Meanwhile, those who had seen it reported how the demon-possessed man had been healed. / Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart from them, because great fear had taken hold of them. So He got into the boat and started back.
Converts: Zealous: The Man Possessed by Demons Luke 8:39
“Return home and describe how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and proclaimed all over the town how much Jesus had done for him.
Cowardice: During the Storm at Sea Luke 8:25
“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”
Dead (People): Jairus' Daughter Luke 8:49–55
While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.” / But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” / When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.
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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
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Luke 8:1-3 Verses 1-3
We are here told what Christ made the constant business of his life, it was teaching the gospel. Tidings of the kingdom of God are glad tidings, and what Christ came to bring. Certain women attended upon him who ministered to him of their substance. It showed the mean condition to which the Saviour humbled himself, that he needed their kindness, and his great humility, that he accepted it. Though rich, yet for our sakes he became poor.
Luke 8:4-21 Verses 4-21
There are many very needful and excellent rules and cautions for hearing the word, in the parable of the sower, and the application of it. Happy are we, and for ever indebted to free grace, if the same thing that is a parable to others, with which they are only amused, is a plain truth to us, by which we are taught and governed. We ought to take heed of the things that will hinder our profiting by the word we hear; to take heed lest we hear carelessly and slightly, lest we entertain prejudices against the word we hear; and to take heed to our spirits after we have heard the word, lest we lose what we have gained. The gifts we have, will be continued to us or not, as we use them for the glory of God, and the good of our brethren. Nor is it enough not to hold the truth in unrighteousness; we should desire to hold forth the word of life, and to shine, giving light to all around. Great encouragement is given to those who prove themselves faithful hearers of the word, by being doers of the work. Christ owns them as his relations.
Luke 8:22-40 Verses 22-40
Those that put to sea in a calm, even at Christ's word, must yet prepare for a storm, and for great peril in that storm. There is no relief for souls under a sense of guilt, and fear of wrath, but to go to Christ, and call him Master, and say, I am undone, if thou dost not help me. When our dangers are over, it becomes us to take to ourselves the shame of our own fears, and to give Christ the glory of our deliverance. We may learn much out of this history concerning the world of infernal, malignant spirits, which though not working now exactly in the same way as then, yet all must at all times carefully guard against. And these malignant spirits are very numerous. They have enmity to man and all his comforts. Those under Christ's government are sweetly led with the bands of love; those under the devil's government are furiously driven. Oh what a comfort it is to the believer, that all the powers of darkness are under the control of the Lord Jesus! It is a miracle of mercy, if those whom Satan possesses, are not brought to destruction and eternal ruin. Christ will not stay with those who slight him; perhaps he may no more return to them, while others are waiting for him, and glad to receive him.
Luke 8:41-56 Verses 41-56
Let us not complain of a crowd, and a throng, and a hurry, as long as we are in the way of our duty, and doing good; but otherwise every wise man will keep himself out of it as much as he can. And many a poor soul is healed, and helped, and saved by Christ, that is hidden in a crowd, and nobody notices it. This woman came trembling, yet her faith saved her. There may be trembling, where yet there is saving faith. Observe Christ's comfortable words to Jairus, Fear not, believe only, and thy daughter shall be made whole. No less hard was it not to grieve for the loss of an only child, than not to fear the continuance of that grief. But in perfect faith there is no fear; the more we fear, the less we believe. The hand of Christ's grace goes with the calls of his word, to make them effectual. Christ commanded to give her meat. As babes new born, so those newly raised from sin, desire spiritual food, that they may grow thereby.