Luke — Chapter 8

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1And 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.

4And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

5A 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.

6And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

8And 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.

11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12Those 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.

13They 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.

14And 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.

15But 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.

16No 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.

17For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

18Take 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.

22Now 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,

39Return 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.

40And 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.

1And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve,

2and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

3and Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod`s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto them of their substance.

4And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable:

5The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.

6And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

7And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.

8And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9And his disciples asked him what this parable might be.

10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

13And those on the rock [are] they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

15And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.

16And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but putteth it on a stand, that they that enter in may see the light.

17For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest; nor [anything] secret, that shall not be known and come to light.

18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.

19And there came to him his mother and brethren, and they could not come at him for the crowd.

20And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

21But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these that hear the word of God, and do it.

22Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and 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 filling [with water], and were in jeopardy.

24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, 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 being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?

26And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is over against Galilee.

27And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had demons; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in [any] house, but in the tombs.

28And when 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 the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not.

29For he was commanding the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the demon into the deserts.

30And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him.

31And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.

32Now there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they entreated him that he would give them leave to enter into them. And he gave them leave.

33And the demons came out from the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were drowned.

34And when they that fed them saw what had come to pass, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.

35And they went out to see what had come to pass; and they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons were gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus: and they were afraid.

36And they that saw it told them how he that was possessed with demons was made whole.

37And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them, for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into a boat, and returned.

38But the man from whom the demons were gone out prayed him that he might be with him: but he sent him away, saying,

39Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee. And he went his way, publishing throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done for him.

40And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed 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 to come into his house;

42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him.

43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,

44came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately the issue of her blood stanched.

45And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were with him, Master, the multitudes press thee and crush [thee].

46But Jesus said, Some one did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me.

47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48And he said unto her, Daughter, 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, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher.

50But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole.

51And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother.

52And all were weeping, and bewailing her: but he said, Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth.

53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

54But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise.

55And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately: and he commanded that [something] be given her to eat.

56And her parents were amazed: but he charged them to tell no man what had been done.

1Sometime afterward he went on through towns and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him,

2and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities: Mary (called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had gone out,

3and Joanna the wife of Cuza (Herod’s household manager), Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.

4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from one town after another, he spoke to them in a parable:

5“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled on, and the wild birds devoured it.

6Other seed fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered because it had no moisture.

7Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up with it and choked it.

8But other seed fell on good soil and grew, and it produced a hundred times as much grain.” As he said this, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear had better listen!”

9Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant.

10He said, “You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that although they see they may not see, and although they hear they may not understand.

11“Now the parable means this: The seed is the word of God.

12Those along the path are the ones who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in a time of testing fall away.

14As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

15But as for the seed that landed on good soil, these are the ones who, after hearing the word, cling to it with an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with steadfast endurance.

16“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in can see the light.

17For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.

18So listen carefully, for whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

19Now Jesus’ mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not get near him because of the crowd.

20So he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.”

21But he replied to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

22One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out,

23and as they sailed he fell asleep. Now a violent windstorm came down on the lake, and the boat started filling up with water, and they were in danger.

24They came and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are about to die!” So he got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they died down, and it was calm.

25Then he said to them, “Where is your faith?” But they were afraid and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him!”

26So they sailed over to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

27As Jesus stepped ashore, a certain man from the town met him who was possessed by demons. For a long time this man had worn no clothes and had not lived in a house, but among the tombs.

28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before him, and shouted with a loud voice, “Leave me alone, Jesus, Son of the Most High God! I beg you, do not torment me!”

29For Jesus had started commanding the evil spirit to come out of the man. (For it had seized him many times, so he would be bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard. But he would break the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.)

30Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.

31And they began to beg him not to order them to depart into the abyss.

32Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and the demonic spirits begged Jesus to let them go into them. He gave them permission.

33So the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd of pigs rushed down the steep slope into the lake and drowned.

34When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran off and spread the news in the town and countryside.

35So the people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus. They found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

36Those who had seen it told them how the man who had been demon-possessed had been healed.

37Then all the people of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Jesus to leave them alone, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and left.

38The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39“Return to your home, and declare what God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole town what Jesus had done for him.

40Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him because they were all waiting for him.

41Then a man named Jairus, who was a leader of the synagogue, came up. Falling at Jesus’ feet, he pleaded with him to come to his house,

42because he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds pressed around him.

43Now a woman was there who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years but could not be healed by anyone.

44She came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak, and at once the bleeding stopped.

45Then Jesus asked, “Who was it who touched me?” When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are surrounding you and pressing against you!”

46But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I know that power has gone out from me.”

47When the woman saw that she could not escape notice, she came trembling and fell down before him. In the presence of all the people, she explained why she had touched him and how she had been immediately healed.

48Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

49While he was still speaking, someone from the synagogue leader’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.”

50But when Jesus heard this, he told him, “Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

51Now when he came to the house, Jesus did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother.

52Now they were all wailing and mourning for her, but he said, “Stop your weeping; she is not dead but asleep!”

53And they began making fun of him because they knew that she was dead.

54But Jesus gently took her by the hand and said, “Child, get up.”

55Her spirit returned, and she got up immediately. Then he told them to give her something to eat.

56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

1Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve,

2and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;

3and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others; who served them from their possessions.

4When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.

5“The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.

6Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

7Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.

8Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

9Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”

10He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’

11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

13Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.

14That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

15Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.

16“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light.

17For nothing is hidden, that will not be revealed; nor anything secret, that will not be known and come to light.

18Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.”

19His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd.

20Some people told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.”

21But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it.”

22Now on one of those days, he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out.

23But as they sailed, he fell asleep. A wind storm came down on the lake, and they were taking on dangerous amounts of water.

24They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and it was calm.

25He said to them, “Where is your faith?” Being afraid they marveled, saying to one another, “Who is this then, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”

26They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee.

27When Jesus stepped ashore, a certain man out of the city who had demons for a long time met him. He wore no clothes, and didn’t live in a house, but in the tombs.

28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torment me!”

29For Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean spirit had often seized the man. He was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters. Breaking the bonds apart, he was driven by the demon into the desert.

30Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered into him.

31They begged him that he would not command them to go into the abyss.

32Now there was there a herd of many pigs feeding on the mountain, and they begged him that he would allow them to enter into those. He allowed them.

33The demons came out of the man, and entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned.

34When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.

35People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

36Those who saw it told them how he who had been possessed by demons was healed.

37All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes asked him to depart from them, for they were very much afraid. He entered into the boat, and returned.

38But the man from whom the demons had gone out begged him that he might go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39“Return to your house, and declare what great things God has done for you.” He went his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

40When Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.

41Behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet, and begged him to come into his house,

42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him.

43A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be healed by any,

44came behind him, and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately the flow of her blood stopped.

45Jesus said, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes press and jostle you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’”

46But Jesus said, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me.”

47When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

49While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house came, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher.”

50But Jesus hearing it, answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed.”

51When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and her mother.

52All were weeping and mourning her, but he said, “Don’t weep. She isn’t dead, but sleeping.”

53They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead.

54But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!”

55Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat.

56Her parents were amazed, but he commanded them to tell no one what had been done.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Jesus teaches the parable of the Sower, calms a storm, casts out Legion into the swine, heals the woman with the issue of blood, and raises Jairus' daughter — revealing His authority over nature, demons, disease, and death.

Authorship & Background

Author: Luke (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 8 demonstrates Jesus' authority over every domain: His word (the Parable of the Sower, vv.4-15), nature (calming the storm, vv.22-25), demons (the Gadarene demoniac, vv.26-39), disease (the woman with the issue of blood, vv.43-48), and death (raising Jairus' daughter, vv.49-56). Nothing is beyond His power.
The Women Who Followed (vv.1-3): Unique to Luke — he names women who supported Jesus' ministry financially: Mary Magdalene, Joanna (wife of Herod's steward), and Susanna. Luke consistently highlights women — marginalized in that culture — as full participants in Jesus' mission.
The Parable of the Sower: The seed is the Word of God (v.11). Four types of soil represent four responses to the Word: (1) hard path — the devil snatches it away, (2) rocky ground — initial joy but no root, (3) thorns — choked by cares, riches, and pleasures, (4) good soil — hearing, keeping, and bearing fruit with patience.
The Gadarene Demoniac: A man possessed by a "legion" of demons — naked, living among tombs, uncontrollable by chains. Jesus freed him completely. The man was found "sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind" (v.35). The townspeople asked Jesus to leave — they preferred their pigs to His power.

Map & Geography

  • The Sea of Galilee: Jesus and the disciples crossed the lake and encountered the storm (vv.22-25). They landed on the eastern shore in Gentile territory.
  • The country of the Gadarenes (v.26): The eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, in the Decapolis — Gentile territory where the demoniac was healed.
  • Jairus' house (v.41): Back on the western shore, likely in Capernaum.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the four soils, the calming of the storm, the Gadarene demoniac's transformation, the woman's desperate faith, and the raising of Jairus' daughter.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Sower" on vv.4-15 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 569) "The seed is the same in every case — the Word of God. The difference is the soil. The same sun that melts wax hardens clay. The same Word that saves one man condemns another. The question is not 'Is the seed good?' but 'What kind of soil is your heart?'" Sermon: "Where Is Your Faith?" on v.25 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1302) "Where is your faith? Not 'where is your courage?' or 'where is your logic?' — where is your faith? The storm was real. The danger was real. But so was the presence of Christ in the boat. Faith does not deny the storm; it trusts the One who commands it."

Reflection

  • 1. The Parable of the Sower asks: what kind of soil is your heart? Are you the hard path (indifferent), the rocky ground (emotional but rootless), the thorny ground (choked by cares and pleasures), or the good soil (hearing, keeping, bearing fruit)? Be honest with yourself.
  • 2. "Where is your faith?" (v.25). Jesus asked this in the middle of a real storm with real danger. Faith doesn't deny reality — it trusts Christ in the middle of it. What storm are you in right now? Where is your faith?
  • 3. The Gadarene demoniac was completely transformed — from naked and insane to clothed and in his right mind (v.35). No one is too far gone for Christ. Who in your life have you given up on? What would it look like to believe Christ can transform them?
  • 4. The woman with the issue of blood had tried everything for 12 years and spent all she had (v.43). She was desperate — and desperation drove her to reach out to Jesus. Sometimes God allows us to exhaust every other option so we'll finally reach for Him. Where are you in that process?
  • 5. The thorny soil (v.14) is choked by "cares and riches and pleasures of this life." These aren't necessarily sinful things — they're ordinary life concerns that crowd out the Word. What "thorns" are choking your spiritual growth right now?
  • 6. The townspeople asked Jesus to leave after He freed the demoniac (v.37). They preferred their pigs (economic stability) to His power. Where in your life might you be choosing comfort and stability over what Jesus wants to do?
  • 7. Jesus told the freed demoniac to "return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee" (v.39). Your testimony is your most powerful tool. Are you telling your story? Who needs to hear what God has done for you?
  • 8. Jairus was told "Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master" (v.49). Jesus said "Fear not: believe only" (v.50). When the situation looks hopeless and people tell you to give up, can you still believe? What does "believe only" look like in your current circumstances?
  • 9. Jesus said "Take heed therefore how ye hear" (v.18). It's not just whether you hear the Word but HOW you hear it — with what attitude, what openness, what intention to obey. How are you hearing God's Word? With an open, obedient heart, or with selective, comfortable hearing?