Bible Commentaries
Luke 8

Verse 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,

This exquisite section is unique to Luke. It seems to follow, in point of time, the events of the preceding chapter.

And it came to pass afterward, that he went, [ kai (G2532) autos (G846) dioodeuen (G1353)] - 'that And it came to pass afterward, that he went, [ kai (G2532) autos (G846) dioodeuen (G1353)] - 'that He traveled about,' or 'made a progress'. The "He" is emphatic here.

Throughout every city and village [ kata (G2596 ) polin (G4172 ) kai (G2532 ) koomeen (G2968 )] - 'through town and village,' preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God - the Prince of itinerant preachers scattering far and wide the seed of the Kingdom: "and the twelve were with him,"

Verse 2

And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities - on whom He had the double claim of having brought healing to their bodies and new life to their souls. Drawn to Him by an attraction more than magnetic, they accompany Him on this tour as His almoners-ministering unto Him of their substance.

Mary called Magdalene [ Magdaleenee (G3094 ) probably 'of Magdala,' as to which see the note at Mark 8:10 ], out of whom went [ exeleeluthei (G1831 ) rather, 'had gone,'] seven devils. The same thing being said in Mark 16:9, it seems plain that this was what distinguished her among the different Mary's. It is a great wrong to this female to identify her with the once profligate, though afterward marvelously changed, woman who is the subject of the preceding section (Luke 7:37, etc.), and to call all such penitents Magdalenes. The mistake has arisen from confounding unhappy demoniacal possession with the conscious entertainment of diabolic impurity, or supposing the one to have been inflicted as a punishment for the other-for which there is not the least scriptural ground. See the notes Luke 13:1-9, Remark 2, at the close of that section.

Verse 3

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward. If the steward of such a godless, cruel, and licentious sovereign as Herod Antipas (see the note at Mark 6:14, etc.) differed greatly from himself, his post would be no easy or enviable one. That he was a disciple of Christ is very improbable, though he might be favourably disposed toward Him. But what we know not of him, and may fear he wanted, we are sure his, wife possessed. Healed either of "evil spirits" or of some one of the "infirmities" here referred to-the ordinary diseases of humanity-she joins in the Saviour's train of grateful, clinging followers.

And Susanna. Of her we know nothing but the name, and that in this one place only; but her services on this memorable occasion have immortalized her name - "Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done," in ministering to the Lord of her substance on this Galilean tour, "shall be spoken of as a memorial of her" (Mark 14:9).

And many others, [ kai (G2532) heterai (G2087) pollai (G4183)] - that is, 'many other healed women,'

Which ministered unto him - rather, according to the better supported reading, 'unto them;' that is, to the Lord and the Twelve.

Remarks:

(1) What a train have we here! all ministering to the Lord of their substance, and He allowing them to do it, and subsisting upon it. Blessed Saviour! It melts us to see Thee living upon the love of Thy ransomed people. That they bring Thee their poor offerings we wonder not. Thou hast sown unto them spiritual things, and they think it, as well they might, a small thing that Thou shouldst reap their carnal things (1 Corinthians 9:11). But dost Thou take it at their hand, and subsist upon it? "O the depth of the riches" - of this poverty of His! Very noble are the words of Olshausen upon this scene: 'He who was the support of the spiritual life of His people disdained not to be supported by them in the body. He was not ashamed to penetrate so far into the depths of poverty as to live upon the alms of love. He only fed others miraculously: for Himself, He lived upon the love of His people. He gave all things to men His brethren, and received all things from them, enjoying thereby the pure blessing of love; which is then only perfect when it is at the same time both giving and receiving. Who could invent such things as these? It was necessary to live in this manner that it might be so recorded.' See more on this exalted subject, at Luke 19:28-44. Remark 2, at the close of that section. But

(2) May not His loving people, and particularly those of the tender clinging sex, still accompany Him as He goes from land to land preaching, by His servants, and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God? and may they not minister to Him of their substance by sustaining and cheering these agents of His? Verily they may; and they do. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Yes, as He is with them "alway, even unto the end of the world," in preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, even so, as many as are with the faithful workers of this work, and helpful to them in it, are accompanying Him and ministering to Him of their substance. But see the notes at Matthew 25:31-46, concluding Remarks.

Verses 4-18

And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

For the exposition, see the notes at Mark 4:1-23.

Verses 19-21

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

For the exposition, see the notes at Matthew 12:46-50.

Verses 22-39

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.

For the exposition, see the notes at Mark 4:35-41; Mark 5:1-20.

Verses 40-56

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

For the exposition, see the notes at Mark 5:21-43.