Bible Commentaries
Luke 8

Verse 1

it came to pass. Note the Hebraism, here and in chs. Luke 5:1 ; Luke 6:1 , &c. Verses 1-3 are peculiar to Luke.

afterward . No longer confining Himself to Capernaum.

went throughout = journeyed through.

every city and village = by city and village.

preaching = proclaiming. See App-121 .

shewing the glad tidings . Greek. euangeliso = announcing, &c. App-121 .

the kingdom of God. App-114 .

were. Substitute went.

with = together with. Greek. sun. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:13 , Luke 8:14 , Luke 8:15 , Luk 13:45 .

Verse 2

certain women . Allusions to "women "in Matt. only in Luk 27:55 , Luk 27:56 , and in Mark 15:40 , but mentioned prominently in Luke. See note on p. 1428. healed. See Luke 6:18 .

of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

evil. Greek. poneros. App-128 .

spirits. Greek. Plural of pneuma. App-101 .

out of = away from. Greek. apo. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 8:37 .

went = had gone out.

devils = demons.

Verse 3

the wife. She may have been the cause of Herod's interest. Mark 6:14-16 . Mar 23:8 .

others . Greek. Plural of heteros. App-124 . See Matthew 27:55 . which. Marking a class.

of = from. apo as in Luke 8:2 , but all the texts read ek.

substance = property.

Verse 4

were come = kept coming.

to. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:27 , Luke 8:39 .

by . Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 8:1 . Not the same word as in Luke 5:12 .

Verse 5

A sower. Greek. "the sower". The first utterance of the parable, which was repeated (and varied) and combined with seven other parables, later on, after the arrival of His kindred. This (in Luke) was given before the arrival, and was consequent on a lengthened tour ending in Capernaum. The consequent here is the inquiry of the Twelve ("What", Luke 8:9 ); the consequent in Matthew and Mark (which are identical) is another inquiry ("Why", Matthew 13:10 ). In the later repetition, the interpretation after the inquiry (Matthew 13:18 . Mark 4:10 ); in Luke, it follows the parable immediately.

his seed. Peculiar to this first giving of the parable.

as he sowed = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) his sowing.

fell . It was not sown on the way side.

by = beside. Greek. para. App-104 .

fowls = birds.

air = sky. Greek. the heaven (Singular.) See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

Verse 6

some = other. Greek. heteros, as in Luke 8:3 .

upon . Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 8:43 .

a rock = the rock. Greek. petra. As in Matthew 16:18 .

sprung up . Greek. phuo. Occurs only here, Luke 8:8 , and Hebrews 12:15 .

because it lacked = on account of (Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 8:2; Luke 8:2 ) its not (Greek. me. App-105 ) having.

moisture . Greek ikmas. Occurs only here in N.T.

Verse 7

among = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) the midst of.

thorns = the thorns.

sprang up with it = sprang up

together. Greek sumphuo. Occurs only here in N.T. A medical word, used of bones uniting and wounds closing.

choked = stifled, as in Luke 8:33 . Elsewhere only in Matthew 13:7 .

Verse 8

And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in Luke 8:8 .

on. Greek. epi. Same as "upon" (Luke 8:6 ).

had. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version omits "had".

He that hath ears, &c. See note on Matthew 11:15 and App-142 .

Verse 9

What . . . ? See note on Luke 8:5 .

Not the same word as on the later occasion (Matthew 13:10 ), which was "Why". They knew "what", but desired further information.

Verse 10

is = has been.

know = get to know. See App-132 .

mysteries = secrets.

others = the rest. Greek. hoi loipoi. Compare Acts 5:13 .Romans 11:7 . Eph 2:3 . 1 Thessalonians 4:13 .Revelation 20:5 .

in . Greek. en. App-104 .

that = in order that. Quoted from Isaiah 6:9 , Isaiah 6:10 . See App-107 .

seeing. App-133 .

not . Greek. me. App-105 .

Verse 11

is = means. Figure of speech Metaphor ( App-6 ): i.e. represents.

word . Greek. logos.

God . App-98 .

Verse 12

taketh = snatches.

lest = in order that . . . not, as in Luke 8:10 .

Verse 13

with = in association with. Greek. meta. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:1 , Luke 8:14 , Luke 8:38; Luke 8:38 .

no . Greek. ou. App-105 .

for . Greek. pros. App-104 .

while = season.

temptation = trial. In the second utterance of this parable (see note on Luke 8:5 ), the Lord used the words "tribulation or persecution".

Verse 14

among. Greek. eis. App-104 .

go forth = as they go on their way.

choked = stifled. Greek. sumpnigo, as in Luke 8:42 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:8 , Luke 8:33 .

with = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 .

this life. Greek. bios = the life that is lived. Not zoe , or psuche. See App-170 .

Verse 15

on = in. Greek. en. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:8 , Luke 8:13 , Luke 8:16 , Luke 8:23 .

which . Denoting a class,

keep it = hold it fast. See note on 2 Thessalonians 2:6 . Figure of speech Tapeinosis ( App-6 ), for much more is done beside this.

with = in. Greek. en. App-104 .

patience = patient endurance.

Verse 16

No man. Greek oudeis, compound of ou. App-105 .

candle = a lamp. See App-130 .

bed = couch.

on = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

candlestick = lampstand.

Verse 17

nothing = not (Greek. ou. App-105 ) anything.

secret = hidden.

not . Greek. ou. App-105 .

be made = become.

neither . Greek. oude.

not. Greek. ou, as above, but all the texts read ou me . App-105 .

be = become.

come abroad = come to (Greek. eis. App-104 .) light (Greek. phaneros = manifestation).

Verse 18

Take heed . Greek. blepo. See App-133 .

how. Contrast "what "on the second occasion (Mark 4:24 ),

from = away from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

seemeth = thinketh.

Peculiar to Luke.

Verse 19

Then came , &c. For the motive, see Mark 3:21 -with Mark 3:31-35 . Compare Matthew 12:47 .

could not = were not able to.

come at Him = fall in with Him. Greek suntunchano. Occurs only here in N.T.

for = on account of. Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 8:2 .

press = crowd.

Verse 20

stand = are standing.

desiring = wishing. Greek. thelo. App-102 .

see . Greek eidon. App-133 .

Verse 21

answered and said . See note on Deuteronomy 1:41

unto. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 8:22 .

do = are doing.

Verse 22

Now, &c. This is not the same storm as in Matthew 8:24 (see notes there), but the same as in Mark 4:37 . Matthew's was before the calling of the Twelve; this occurred after that event. The antecedents and consequents differ in both cases.

into. Greek eis. App-104 .

a ship. In Matthew, the " boat".

with = and.

unto them = to them. Greek. pros. App-104 .

unto . Greek. eis. App-104 .

lake . See App-169 .

launched forth = put to sea, or set sail.

Verse 23

fell asleep = fell off (Greek. aphupnoo) into sleep. Only here in N.T.

came down . Not rose up, as on the former occasion (Matthew 8:24 ).

a storm of wind = a squall. On the former occasion it was an earthquake(Greek. seismos). Here it was lailaps.

on = on to. Greek eis. App-104 . were filled were being swamped. Imperf. tense. Hence this was an open boat; in Matthew a decked boat.

were in jeopardy = were beginning to be in danger:

Verse 24

awoke = roused. App-178 .

Master. See note on Luke 5:5 . Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Not the same word as in Luke 8:49 .

we perish = we are perishing: i.e. drowning.

arose = was aroused. App-178 . TTr. WH R have the same word as "awoke" above,

raging. Greek kludon. Occurs only here and James 1:6 ("wave").

was = became.

Verse 25

What manner. This! = Who then is this [man]!

He commandeth . Peculiar to Luke.

Verse 26

they arrived = they sailed

down, or,

dropped down. Occurs only here in the N.T.

at = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .

Gadarenes. See note on Matthew 8:28 . The peoplewere Gadarenes, but the city was not Gadara. See App-169 .

over against = opposite. Greek. antiperan. Occurs only here in N.T.; opposite Lower Galilee (not whence they had sailed). See App-169 .

Verse 27

to = on to. Greek. epi. App-104 .

out of the city. Connect with the "man", not with "met". out of. Greek ek. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 2:12 , Luke 2:29 , Luke 2:33 , Luke 2:35 , Luke 2:38 , Luke 2:46 .

man. Greek. aner. App-123 .

devils = demons.

long time . . . clothes = and for a long time was net putting on any mantle, cloak, or outer garment (Singular.)

ware. And Luke 16:19 . Not a word peculiar to the . Bible. Itmet with in Josephus, and in an inscription from Delphi (c. 154 B.C.) See Deissmann, Light, &c., p. 78.

Verse 28

Jesus. App-98 . Demons irreverently use this sacred name, as is done by so many to-day: but His own disciples called Him "Master '(Luke 8:24 ) and "Lord". See John 13:13 .

What have I, &c. See note on 2 Samuel 16:10 .

most high. The Lord called thus elsewhere only in Mark 5:7 . Compare Luke 1:32 , Luke 1:5 ; Luke 6:5 .

beseech . See App-134 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:31 , Luke 8:32 , Luke 8:37 , Luk 31:41 .

Verse 29

He had commanded = He was commanding. Imperfect tense.

spirit. Greek. pneuma. See App-101 .

man. Greek. anthropos. App-123 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:27 , Luke 8:38 , Luke 8:41 , but the same as in verses: Luke 8:33 , Luke 8:35 .

it had caught = it had seized. Only here and in Acts 6:12 ; Acts 19:29 ; Acts 27:15

kept bound = bound, being guarded.

chains, &c. See notes on Mark 5:4 .

he brake the bands, and = breaking the bands, he.

was driven . Greek elauno. Occurs five times: here; Mark 6:48 . John 6:19 . James 3:4 , and 2 Peter 2:17 .

of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 .

devil = demon.

Verse 30

many , &c. See note on Mark 5:9 .

Verse 31

besought . Greek. parakaleo. See App-134 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:28 , Luke 8:37 , Luke 8:38 .

the deep . Greek abussos; not the sea as in Luke 5:4 . Occurs nine times: here, Romans 10:7 . Revelation 9:1 , Revelation 9:2 , Revelation 9:11 ; Revelation 11:7 ; Revelation 17:8 ; Revelation 20:1 , Revelation 20:3 .

Verse 32

them = these.

suffered them = gave them leave. Compare Mark 5:13 .Acts 21:39 , Acts 21:40 ; Acts 27:3 .

Verse 33

ran = rushed.

down . Greek kata. App-104 .

a steep place = the precipice.

Verse 34

was done = had happened.

in = into. Greek. eis. App-104 .

Verse 35

at = beside. Greek para. App-104 .

in his right mind = of sound mind.

Verse 36

he that was possessed of the devils = the demonized [man].

healed = saved. Same word as in Luke 8:12 .

Verse 37

besought = was asking. Greek erotao. App-134 .

were taken . A medical word, as in Luke 4:38 .

Verse 38

Jesus. All the texts omit.

sent him away. Note the answers to the three prayers in this chapter, in verses: Luke 8:32 , Luke 8:33 , Luke 8:37 , Luk 32:38 , Luk 32:39 .

Verse 39

to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:19 , Luke 8:25 , Luke 8:27 ; Luk 8:-35 .

shew = tell: tell the whole story.

how great things = whatsoever.

and published = proclaiming. See App-121 .

unto = for.

Verse 40

when . . . returned = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) . ., returning.

waiting for = looking for, as in Luke 1:21 ; Luke 3:15 ; Luke 7:19 , Luke 7:20 ; Luke 12:46 . Acts 3:5 ; Acts 10:24 ; Acts 28:6 , &c.

Verse 41

And, behold. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ). These two miracles are not the same as those recorded in Matthew 9:18-26 , but the same as in Mark 5:22 , &c. See the notes there, and App-138 .

Jairus. An Israelite name, Jair (Numbers 32:41 .Joshua 13:30 . Judges 10:3 ).

was a = held the office of. Greek. huparcho. synagogue. App-120 .

Verse 42

as He went = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) His going.

thronged = were stifling. Greek. sumpnigo. Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:7 , Luke 8:33 , but same as "choked" (Luke 8:14 ).

Verse 43

having = being in. Greek. en, above.

twelve = from (Greek. apo. App-104 . iv) twelve.

living. Greek. bios. See App-170 .

upon. Greek. eis. App-104 .

neither, &c. = could not . . . by any. Greek. ou . . . oudeis. of. Greek. hupo, but all the texts read apo.

Verse 44

border = hem (Numbers 15:38 , Numbers 15:39 . Deuteronomy 22:12 ).

stanched = stopped. A medical term.

Verse 45

Who touched = Who [is it] that was touching.

throng . Greek. sunecho. Compare Luke 8:37 ; Luke 4:38 ; Luke 12:50 .

press . Greek. apothlibo. O cc. only here.

Verse 46

hath touched . . . I perceive = did touch . . . I came to know (Greek. ginosko. App-132 .)

virtue = power (inherent). Greek. dunamis. See App-172 .

Verse 47

falling down = having fallen down. In terror.

she had touched = she touched.

healed. See Luke 6:17 .

Verse 48

be of good comfort . All the texts omit.

made thee whole = saved thee, as in verses: Luke 8:12 , Luke 8:36 , CO.

Verse 49

from. Greek. para. App-104 .

dead. Emph. by Figure of speech Hyperbaton. App-6 .

Master = Teacher. App-98 .

Verse 50

believe. App-150 .

Verse 51

suffered no man = suffered not (Greek. ou. App-105 ) any one.

save = except. Peter, and James, and John. Compare Mark 9:12 ; Mark 14:33 .

Verse 52

wept, and bewailed = were weeping and wailing. Both Imperf. Tense. sleepeth. Greek. katheudo. App-171 .

Verse 53

laughed Him to scorn = were deriding Him.

knowing. Greek oida. App-132 .

Verse 54

Maid = Child. Greek. pais. App-108 .

Verse 55

spirit. Greek. pneuma. App-101 .

came again. A Hebraism. Compare 1 Samuel 30:12 .

straightway = immediately. Greek. parachrema, as in verses: Luke 8:44 , Luke 8:47

commanded = directed.

meat = [something] to eat

Verse 56

no man = no one. Greek. medeis.

was done = had happened.