The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on ActsLuke 8

Lu 8:1 XLVII. FURTHER JOURNEYING ABOUT GALILEE. Lu 8:1-3 And it came to pass soon afterwards. That is, soon after his visit to the Pharisee (Lu 7:36). That he went about through cities and villages. Thus making a thorough circuit of the region of Galilee. Preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God. John had preached repentance as a preparation for the kingdom; but Jesus now appears to have preached the kingdom itself, which was indeed to bring good tidings (Ro 14:17). And with him the twelve. We here get a glimpse of the tireless activities of the ministry of Christ. Journeying from place to place, he was constantly preaching the gospel publicly to the people, and as ceaselessly instructing his disciples privately. The twelve were now serving an apprenticeship in that work on which he would soon send them forth alone. From this time forth we can hardly look upon Capernaum as the home of Jesus. From now to the end of his ministry his life was a wandering journey, and he and his apostles sustained by the offerings of friends. The circuit of Galilee here mentioned is peculiar to Luke. (TFG 296-297)

Lu 8:2 Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. What a change of service, from demoniac bondage to the freedom of Christ! As to the vile slanders with which commentators have stained the good name of Mary Magdalene, see TFG "Lu 7:37". For further mention of her, see Joh 19:25 Mr 15:47 16:1,9 Joh 20:1,18. Mary's name indicates that she was a native of Magdala (Hebrew, Migdol, that is, "watch-tower"). Of all the towns which dotted the shores of Galilee in Christ's day, but this and Tiberias remain. It is on the west shore of the lake, at the southeast corner of the plain of Gennesaret, and is to-day a small collection of mud hovels. It still bears the name el-Mejdel, which is probably received from the adjoining watch-tower that guarded the entrance to the plain, the ruins of which are still to be seen. We should note that Mary Magdalene is not classed with restored profligates, but with those who were healed of infirmities. (TFG 297)

Lu 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto them of their substance. Joanna is mentioned again at Lu 24:10; but of Susanna there is no other record, this being enough to immortalize her. Of Chuzas we know nothing more than what is stated here. There are two Greek words for "steward," epitropos and oikonomos. The first may be translated "administrator," "superintendent" or "governor." It conveys the impression of an officer of high rank. The Jewish rabbis called Obadiah the epitropos of Ahab. This was the office held by Chuzas, and its translated "treasurer" in the Arabic version. The second word may be translated "housekeeper," or "domestic manager." It was an office usually held by some trusted slave as a reward for his fidelity. Chuzas was no doubt a man of means and influence. As there was no order of nobility in Galilee, and as such an officer might be nevertheless styled a nobleman, this Chuzas was very likely the nobleman of Joh 4:46. If so, the second miracle at Cana explains the devotion of Joanna to Jesus. Herod's capital was at Sephoris, on an elevated tableland not far from Capernaum. The ministration of these women shows the poverty of Christ and his apostles, and explains how they were able to give themselves so unremittingly to the work. Some of the apostles also may have had means enough to contribute somewhat to the support of the company, but in any event the support was meager enough, for Jesus was among the poorest of earth (Lu 9:58 Mt 17:24 2Co 8:9). His reaping of carnal things was as scanty as his sowing of spiritual things was abundant (1Co 9:11). We should note how Jesus began to remove the fetters of custom which bound women, and to bring about a condition of universal freedom (Ga 3:28). (TFG 297-298)

Lu 8:4 LIV. THE FIRST GREAT GROUP OF PARABLES. (Beside the Sea of Galilee.) A. INTRODUCTION. Mt 13:1-3 Mr 4:1,2 Lu 8:4 He spake by a parable. See TFG "Mr 4:2".

Lu 8:5 LIV. THE FIRST GREAT GROUP OF PARABLES. (Beside the Sea of Galilee.) B. PARABLE OF THE SOWER. Mt 13:3-23 Mr 4:3-25 Lu 8:5-18 The sower went forth to sow his seed. See TFG "Mr 4:3". Some fell by the way side. See TFG "Mr 4:4".

Lu 8:6 And other fell on the rock. See TFG "Mr 4:5".

Lu 8:7 And other fell amidst the thorns. See TFG "Mr 4:7".

Lu 8:8 And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. See TFG "Mr 4:8". As he said these things, he cried. A method of emphasis rarely employed by Jesus. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. See TFG "Mr 4:9". (TFG 330)

Lu 8:9 And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. See TFG "Mr 4:10".

Lu 8:10 Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables. See TFG "Mr 4:11". That seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. See TFG "Mr 4:12".

Lu 8:12 And those by the way side are they that have heard, etc. See TFG "Mr 4:15".

Lu 8:13 And those on the rock are they, etc. See TFG "Mr 4:16".

Lu 8:14 And that which fell among the thorns, etc. See TFG "Mr 4:18".

Lu 8:15 And that in the good ground, etc. See TFG "Mr 4:20".

Lu 8:16 And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, etc. A passage similar to this is found in Mt 5:15. For notes, see TFG "Mt 5:15". (TFG 335)

Lu 8:17 For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest. See TFG "Mr 4:22".

Lu 8:18 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, etc. See TFG "Mr 4:25".

Lu 8:19 L. CHRIST'S TEACHING AS TO HIS MOTHER AND BRETHREN. (Galilee, same day as the last lesson.) Mt 12:46-50 Mr 3:31-35 Lu 8:19-21 And there came to him his mother and brethren, and they could not come at him for the crowd. We learn at Mr 3:21, that they came to lay hold of him because they thought that he was beside himself. It was for this reason that they came in a body, for their numbers would enable them to control him. Jesus had four brethren (Mt 13:55). Finding him teaching with the crowd about him, they passed the word in to him that they wished to see him outside. To attempt to lay hold of him in the midst of his disciples would have been rashly inexpedient. The fact that they came with Mary establishes the strong presumption that they were the children of Mary and Joseph, and hence the literal brethren of the Lord. In thus seeking to take Jesus away from his enemies Mary yielded to a natural maternal impulse which even the revelations accorded to her did not quiet. The brethren, too, acted naturally, for they were unbelieving (Joh 7:5). (TFG 310)

Lu 8:20 And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. See TFG "Mr 3:32".

Lu 8:21 My mother and my brethren are these that hear the word of God, and do it. See TFG "Mr 3:35".

Lu 8:22 LV. JESUS STILLS THE STORM (Sea of Galilee; same day as last section.) Mt 8:18-27 Mr 4:35-41 Lu 8:22-25 Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. See TFG "Mr 4:35".

Lu 8:23 But as they sailed he fell asleep. Knowing his labors during the day, we can not wonder at this. And there came down a storm of wind on the lake. See TFG "Mr 4:37". (TFG 342-343)

Lu 8:24 Master, master, we perish. See TFG "Mr 4:38". Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. See TFG "Mr 4:39".

Lu 8:25 Where is your faith? See TFG "Mr 4:40". Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him? See TFG "Mr 4:41".

Lu 8:26 LVI. JESUS HEALS TWO GERGESENE DEMONIACS (Gergesa, now called Khersa.) Mt 8:28-34 9:1 Mr 5:1-21 Lu 8:26-40 The country of the Gerasenes. See TFG "Mr 5:1".

Lu 8:27 A certain man out of the city. Gergesa. Who had demons. See TFG "Mr 5:2".

Lu 8:28 What have I to do with thee? On this phrase, see TFG "Joh 2:4".

Lu 8:29 The unclean spirit. See TFG "Mr 1:23".

Lu 8:30 And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him. See TFG "Mr 5:9".

Lu 8:31 Into the abyss. The abyss or bottomless pit was the proper abode of the demons. It is mentioned nine times in Scripture: here and at Ro 10:7 Re 9:1,2,11 11:7 17:8 20:1,3. How these demons escaped from the abyss is one of the unsolved mysteries of the spirit world; but we have a parallel in the releasing of Satan (Re 20:1-3). (TFG 346)

Lu 8:33 And the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were drowned. See TFG "Mr 5:13".

Lu 8:34 They that fed them. See TFG "Mr 5:14".

Lu 8:35 And they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons were gone out. A faint suggestion that there was another. See TFG "Mr 5:2".

Lu 8:38 But the man from whom the demons were gone out prayed him that he might be with him. See TFG "Mr 5:18".

Lu 8:39 Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee. See TFG "Mr 5:19". Throughout the whole city. Gergesa. See TFG "Mt 4:25". (TFG 348)

Lu 8:40 For they were all waiting for him. They could see the sail of his boat as he started back. (TFG 348)

Lu 8:41 LVIII. JAIRUS' DAUGHTER AND THE INVALID WOMAN. (Capernaum, same day as last.) Mt 9:18-26 Mr 5:22-43 Lu 8:41-56 Behold, there came a man named Jairus, etc. See TFG "Mr 5:22".

Lu 8:42 But as he went the multitudes thronged him. See TFG "Mr 5:24".

Lu 8:43 And a woman . . . who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any. See TFG "Mr 5:26".

Lu 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment. See TFG "Mr 5:27".

Lu 8:47 She came trembling, and falling down before him. See TFG "Mr 5:33". Declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. To have permitted the woman to depart without this exposure would have confirmed her in the mistaken notion that Jesus healed rather by his nature than by his will. Hence he questions her, not that he may obtain information, but rather as a means of imparting it. By his questions he reveals to her that no work of his is wrought without his consciousness, and that it was himself and not his garment which had blessed her. (TFG 354)

Lu 8:48 Thy faith hath made thee whole. See TFG "Mr 5:34". (TFG 354)

Lu 8:49 Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher. See TFG "Mr 5:35".

Lu 8:50 Fear not. See TFG "Lu 1:30". Only believe, and she shall be made whole. Thus, with words of confidence and cheer, Jesus revived the ruler's failing faith. (TFG 355)

Lu 8:51 He suffered not any man to enter in with him, etc. See TFG "Mr 5:37".

Lu 8:52 And all were weeping, and bewailing her. See TFG "Mr 5:38". Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth. See TFG "Mr 5:39".

Lu 8:53 And they laughed him to scorn. See TFG "Mr 5:40".

Lu 8:54 But he, taking her by the hand. See TFG "Mr 1:31". Called, saying, Maiden, arise See TFG "Mr 5:41".

Lu 8:55 And she rose up immediately. See TFG "Mr 5:42". And he commanded that something be given her to eat. See TFG "Mr 5:43".

Lu 8:56 And her parents were amazed. See TFG "Mr 5:42". But he charged them to tell no man what had been done. See TFG "Mr 5:43".