Bible Commentaries
Luke 8

Verses 1-56

Luke here refers to our Lord's journeyings, and reveals the interesting and beautiful fact of how women of wealth provided for him on the material level, ministering to Him of their substance.

At this point Luke records the parable of the sower, which forever divides into four sections those who hear the proclamation of the Word: first, those in whom His truth can produce no results, wayside hearers; second, those whose power of hearing is superficial, rock hearers; third, those in whom other forces impede and check the development of truth, thorny hearers; fourth, those who are responsive.

Following the parable we have the account of a memorable voyage over the sea and back. First came the time of quiet for Himself; He slept. The storm did not wake Him. The disciples woke. He calmed the wind, hushed the sea, and rebuked the disciples.

Reaching the country of the Gadarenes He restored to true life a demon-possessed man, and at the same time destroyed an unholy and forbidden traffic. A deputation of the inhabitants besought Him to depart from their coasts, and He went. He never forces Himself on unwilling hearts.

Our Lord's quick sensitiveness to need which ventures in faith is seen in His consciousness of the touch of a trembling woman as He traveled to the house of Jairus. Again His keen appreciation of the hour of greatest trial is revealed in His words to Jairus, "Fear not, only believe." His supreme authority was revealed as He put the scorners out of the chamber. His sweet, human sympathy is seen in the command to give the little one something to eat.