The big picture
Teaching God's kingdom, Jesus travels through towns and villages, with his twelve close followers and women who support the work. His teaching asks what happens after people hear God's word. Some lose it, some abandon it, and others keep it until it bears fruit. The chapter then shows his followers in danger, a man isolated by evil spirits, and a household facing death. Jesus' words meet fear and need with authority. Hearing them calls for trust that reaches past first impressions.
In this chapter
- God’s Word Meets Different Hearts Luke 8:1-15
Women Jesus has healed help support his travels with the twelve.
- True Hearing Creates a Family Bond Luke 8:16-21
A lamp belongs where people entering can see, not hidden under a bed or container.
- The Storm Stops at Jesus’ Command Luke 8:22-25
Jesus and his followers set out across the lake, and he falls asleep.
- Freedom Sends a Man Home Luke 8:26-39
Across from Galilee, the northern region, Jesus reaches the country of the Gadarenes.
- A Long Illness Ends Amid a Crowd Luke 8:40-48
Back across the lake, Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, the local place of worship, begs for his dying twelve-year-old daughter.
- Death Does Not End Jesus’ Help Luke 8:49-56
A messenger tells Jairus that his daughter has died and advises him not to trouble Jesus.
Central truth
God's word bears fruit through enduring trust, as Jesus shows authority over storms, evil spirits, illness, and death.
Scripture beside the summary
Luke · King James Version · 56Luke 8:1-15
God’s Word Meets Different Hearts
Women Jesus has healed help support his travels with the twelve. Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna among them. Jesus teaches a crowd through seed falling on different ground. A path loses it to birds, rock dries it, thorns choke it, and good soil yields abundantly. He explains that the seed is God's word. The devil removes it from some hearts. Others believe briefly but fall under testing. Worry, wealth, and pleasure prevent still others from reaching fruitfulness. Good hearers keep the word with honest hearts and patient endurance. The followers receive the meaning, while others see and hear without grasping it. Listening becomes fruitful only as the word remains.
In everyday life
A ceramic student follows a glazing lesson through many weeks of practice while others stop after the first excitement or let competing hobbies take over. She keeps testing, learning, and applying what she heard until the work changes. Receiving instruction is more than attending once. Jesus describes God's word and salvation, not the growth of craft skill.
Notice
Luke 8:15 Patience belongs to the fruitful response. The good soil does not picture a brief rush of enthusiasm but continued keeping of what was heard.
Luke 8:1-15
King James Version1And 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.
Luke 8:16-21
True Hearing Creates a Family Bond
A lamp belongs where people entering can see, not hidden under a bed or container. What is secret will come to light. He warns the hearers to pay attention to how they listen: receiving leads to more, while empty appearance can end in loss. His mother and brothers arrive but cannot reach him through the crowd. When told they are outside, he identifies those who hear and do God's word as his mother and brothers. Christian traditions differ on the precise relationship meant by brothers. His answer makes a shared response to God the defining bond of this wider family.
In everyday life
A cooperative tenant places the shared rota where every resident can read it, then joins the work it assigns. New residents become part of the household's life through what they do together rather than through old personal ties. Visible words lead to shared action. Jesus defines family through God's word, not a housing agreement.
Notice
Luke 8:21 Jesus joins hearing with doing when describing his family. Access to the sound of his teaching is not the whole of the belonging he names.
Luke 8:16-21
King James Version16No 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.
Luke 8:22-25
The Storm Stops at Jesus’ Command
Jesus and his followers set out across the lake, and he falls asleep. A violent windstorm comes down, water fills the boat, and their lives are in danger. They wake him with an urgent cry that they are dying. Jesus rises and rebukes the wind and waves. Both cease, leaving calm. He asks where their faith is. The followers remain fearful and amazed, asking who can command water and wind so that they obey. The threat was real, yet his response reveals authority greater than the threat. They have crossed from panic about the storm to wonder about the man beside them.
In everyday life
A white-water trainee clings to the side of a raft while the guide gives commands that bring the crew back into rhythm. Reaching still water, she realises how little she understood his skill when panic took over. The guide worked with the current. Jesus commands wind and water themselves to stop.
Notice
Luke 8:25 The question after the calm concerns Jesus' identity. Safety does not end their amazement, because the means of rescue demands a larger understanding of him.
Luke 8:22-25
King James Version22Now 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.
Luke 8:26-39
Freedom Sends a Man Home
Across from Galilee, the northern region, Jesus reaches the country of the Gadarenes. A naked man lives among tombs under many devils and breaks attempts to restrain him. The spirits call themselves Legion and beg not to enter the deep. Jesus permits them to enter pigs, which rush into the lake and drown. Local people find the man clothed and clear-minded at Jesus' feet. Afraid, they ask Jesus to leave. The restored man wants to go with him, but Jesus sends him home to report God's deeds. He tells the city what Jesus has done. Freedom restores both his mind and a place among people.
In everyday life
A supported-living mentor helps a resident choose clothes before his first visit home after a long crisis. He had asked to remain close to the staff, but she helps him prepare to reconnect with trusted relatives. Return becomes part of recovery. Jesus expels real evil spirits and sends a witness to God's deeds, not a discharge from clinical care.
Notice
Luke 8:39 The man is told to report God's deeds. He reports what Jesus has done. Luke closely links God's saving action with Jesus' work.
Luke 8:26-39
King James Version26And 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.
Luke 8:40-48
A Long Illness Ends Amid a Crowd
Back across the lake, Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, the local place of worship, begs for his dying twelve-year-old daughter. Jesus goes, but the crowd presses around him. A woman has bled for twelve years and spent her money on unsuccessful care. She touches his clothing from behind and is healed at once. Jesus asks who touched him. Peter, a close follower, points to the crowd, but Jesus knows healing power has gone out. The woman comes trembling and explains publicly. He calls her daughter, assures her that faith has made her well, and sends her away in peace. Her hidden act receives a personal answer.
In everyday life
A long-term pain patient reaches the front of a crowded clinic and finally speaks about years of failed treatment. The clinician stops the queue long enough to hear her full account rather than reduce her to another number. Recognition gives the encounter dignity. Jesus heals through a touch before the conversation, unlike a clinical assessment.
Notice
Luke 8:48 Jesus addresses the woman as daughter after she admits her fearful act. The public moment becomes assurance rather than a rebuke for approaching him.
Luke 8:40-48
King James Version40And 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.
Luke 8:49-56
Death Does Not End Jesus’ Help
A messenger tells Jairus that his daughter has died and advises him not to trouble Jesus. Jesus hears and tells him to trust rather than fear. At the house he admits only the parents and three close followers, Peter, James, and John. Mourners laugh when he describes the girl as sleeping because they know she is dead. He sends them out, takes her hand, and calls her to rise. Her spirit returns, and she gets up immediately. Jesus tells them to feed her and orders the amazed parents not to spread what happened. His care reaches into death and then returns to the child's everyday need.
In everyday life
A bereavement-room attendant brings water and sandwiches to parents sitting in shock after a child's death. She tends small needs without pretending that practical kindness can repair the loss. The care remains personal when nothing seems manageable. Jesus brings the girl back to life; the attendant can only support those left grieving.
Notice
Luke 8:55 Luke says her spirit returns before she rises. The account presents restoration from death, followed by the ordinary need for food.
Luke 8:49-56
King James Version49While 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Luke 8:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Luke 8:28 forms a natural hinge: “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 God most high? I…”
The final note
Luke 8:56 leaves the reader with “And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jesus, fell, devils, hear, besought, city help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- substance
- Money, possessions, or other resources used to support someone.
- stanched
- Stopped flowing, used here of a flow of blood.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
