Luke Chapter 8

(Luke 8:1 NASB)  And it came about soon afterwards, that He began going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him,

Luke 8:1:      Once again, Yeshua is proclaiming the Gospel to the people in all the villages.  He is preaching that the Kingdom of Elohim is at hand and the people need to repent.

 

(Luke 8:2 NASB)  and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
(Luke 8:3 NASB)  and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

Luke 8:3:      There were many who were healed of sickness and evil spirits.  Mary Magdalene is called that because she is from Magdala.  The wife of the steward of Herod Antipas was also contributing to help finance the travelings of Yeshua and His disciples.  She may have been healed also.  Herod Antipas is the Herod who had John beheaded.

 

(Luke 8:4 NASB)  And when a great multitude were coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:

Luke 8:4:      Yeshua is going to speak in parables more as His ministry goes on.  This is likely because of the opposition coming against Him more vehemently.  He later explains His purpose for speaking in parables.

 

(Luke 8:5 NASB)  “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road; and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the air ate it up.
(Luke 8:6 NASB)  “And other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
(Luke 8:7 NASB)  “And other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it, and choked it out.
(Luke 8:8 NASB)  “And other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 8:8:      The parables of Yeshua are symbolic accounts with deep meaning.  This is nothing new.  The prophets of Elohim spoke prophecy in parables.  Scriptural prophecy is essentially the same thing as a parable.
In this parable, the disciples of Yeshua are going to ask Him to explain this parable.

 

(Luke 8:9 NASB)  And His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable might be.
(Luke 8:10 NASB)  And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, in order that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

Luke 8:10:      Yeshua speaks in parables because does not want everyone to understand what He is saying.  Not everyone has eyes to see and ears to hear His Word.  This is told in Torah (Deut 29:1-4).  We can only understand His Word and apply it in our lives if He chooses to place His Spirit within us.
This is a fulfillment and a direct quote of Isaiah 6:9-10.  Elohim does not want all people to return to Him with their hearts.  That may be a difficult thing for us to imagine, but that is what Yeshua is saying here.
Israel has rejected His Torah.  Many of them have gone beyond the limit that Elohim will withstand.  The people do not want to repent, even if the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  Therefore, Yeshua speaks to them in parables that they will not understand.
Remember the message to the rich man in Luke 16 who was in torment but wanting his brothers to be saved from this punishment?  He wanted to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn them because surely they will listen to man who comes back from the dead.  But he was told, “They have Moses and the Prophets.  If they will not listen to them then they will not listen even to someone who comes back from the dead.”  We are to listen to Moses and the prophets.

 

(Luke 8:11 NASB)  “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.

Luke 8:11:      We are told in Matthew’s account that the seed is specifically the “word of the Kingdom” (Matt 13:18-19).  That would mean it is “Repent! (turn back to the Torah of the Father)  For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

 

(Luke 8:12 NASB)  “And those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Luke 8:12:      These symbols are consistent in parables and prophecy and other parts of Scripture.  The seed is the Word of the kingdom as mentioned.  This passage speaks of those who are “beside the road” or “on the wayside” (depending on your translation).  They are not following the Torah of the Father.  They are off that path.
The translations say the “devil” is the birds.  It is the Greek word “diablos:”  G1228. diabolos,  from G1225; slanderous, accusing falsely:– devil(34), malicious gossips(3).
It is likely that this passage is not speaking of the red goat-god with a pitchfork.  It could just be referring to those who are merely “talked out of” “believing.”  The word “believe” in the Greek is also an interesting one.  It is the Greek word pisteuo:
Believe – G4100. pisteuo, pist-yoo’-o; from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by impl. to entrust (espec. one’s spiritual well-being to Christ):–believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
This part of the parable is speaking of those who are not following Torah and they hear His Torah (instructions) and someone talks them out of committing to it.
Elohim warns those who reject His Torah and His reproof (Prov. 1:2-29).

 

(Luke 8:13 NASB)  “And those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

Luke 8:13:      The word “soil” is not in the text.  It is speaking of those who are on the “rock” of salvation which is the Father (Deut. 32:4).
They are on the rock and receive the Word of His Torah with joy and they commit for a little while.  But when they are tempted, they fall away from His Instructions.

 

(Luke 8:14 NASB)  “And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

Luke 8:14:      We now hear of those on whom the seed fell among the thorns.  The thorns are the work and trials and tribulations of daily life (Gen. 3:17-18).  They are initally excited about the Word of Elohim, but they have no firm root, so they are not obedient.  Then Yeshua tells of those who place other things higher in importance to His Word.

 

(Luke 8:15 NASB)  “And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

Luke 8:15:      What does it mean to bear fruit?  it means to be obedient to Torah (Psalm 1:1-3, 92:12-15).

 

(Luke 8:16 NASB)  “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light.

Luke 8:16:      What exactly is the light and lamp Yeshua is speaking of? (Psalm 119:105,  19:8-9, Prov. 6:23).  Yeshua is saying that if we truly are His people and if His Spirit is within us, we will follow His Torah in all aspects of our life.

 

(Luke 8:17 NASB)  “For nothing is hidden that shall not become evident, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come to light.

Luke 8:17:      Yeshua is saying that all our actions, whether hidden or in public, will be known by Him (Ecc. 12:13-14).

 

(Luke 8:18 NASB)  “Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

Luke 8:18:      If we listen carefully to the Word of Elohim, more will be given to us.  Yeshua says that if we listen carefully to His Torah, we will be given more Truth in His Word.  We are told many times in Scripture to carefully listen and know the Torah of Elohim (Deut. 32:46-47, Prov. 2:2-6).  The key to understanding the secrets of the Word of Elohim is to listen carefully to His Torah.
Those who do not listen to His Torah, even what they think they have will be taken away from Him (Prov. 28:9).

 

(Luke 8:19 NASB)  And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.
(Luke 8:20 NASB)  And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.”
(Luke 8:21 NASB)  But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

Luke 8:21:      The brothers and sisters of Yeshua are those who hear the Torah and do it.  Obeying His Torah is how we get to know Him (1 John 2:3-7, 1 John 3:21-22).

 

(Luke 8:22 NASB)  Now it came about on one of those days, that He and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out.
(Luke 8:23 NASB)  But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended upon the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.
(Luke 8:24 NASB)  And they came to Him and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.

Luke 8:24:      The disciples became afraid.  Yeshua first calmed the winds (which are the source of the waves), and then the waves themselves.  Only Elohim can control the wind and the waves (Psalm 65:7, 107:25-29)

 

(Luke 8:25 NASB)  And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

Luke 8:25:      Yeshua could control the winds and the waves.  This is prophesied in the Tanakh (Prov. 30:4).

 

(Luke 8:26 NASB)  And they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
(Luke 8:27 NASB)  And when He had come out onto the land, He was met by a certain man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.

Luke 8:27:      Here we have a very severe case.  This man was demon possessed and he did not hide it very well.  He was walking around naked and living in the tombs.

 

(Luke 8:28 NASB)  And seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do I have to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.”

Luke 8:28:      This is interesting.  The demons in this man know Yeshua as being the Son of the Most High Elohim.  He even fell before Him.  They obviously “believed” or had an awareness of Yeshua and His power.  Were these demons “saved?”  Of course not.  James tells us that even the demons believe.  But they just believe and tremble (James 2:18-20).  The difference between demons that are damned and the people of Elohim is not their beliefs.  There beliefs can be essentially identical.  The difference is in their works.  The believer in Elohim has His Torah written on his heart and mind and desires to obey Him (1 John 3:5-8).

 

(Luke 8:29 NASB)  For He had been commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard; and yet he would burst his fetters and be driven by the demon into the desert.
(Luke 8:30 NASB)  And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him.
(Luke 8:31 NASB)  And they were entreating Him not to command them to depart into the abyss.

Luke 8:31:      Many teach that this “abyss” is the lake of burning fire (Matt. 25:41).  However, this will not happen until the judgment.  So he is speaking of something else.  This term “abussos” is used in Revelation to refer to nations that are stuck in a place and cannot get out.  I think he is speaking of losing his freedom.

 

(Luke 8:32 NASB)  Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons entreated Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission.
(Luke 8:33 NASB)  And the demons came out from the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and were drowned.

Luke 8:33:      I will not begin to claim that I understand the way demons work and their desire (in this case) to be in a herd of swine.  I think they merely wanted freedom to roam and not be restricted.

 

(Luke 8:34 NASB)  And when the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country.
(Luke 8:35 NASB)  And the people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.

Luke 8:35:      It would be logical that the people would be relieved and happy instead of afraid.  But they knew they were in the presence of the Messiah.  They also knew they were in sin by raising swine.  This is likely the source of their fear.

 

(Luke 8:36 NASB)  And those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well.
(Luke 8:37 NASB)  And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to depart from them; for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat, and returned.

Luke 8:37:      The presence of Yeshua brought their sin into remembrance.  They did not want to possibly be judged for their disobedience (Deut. 5:25-26).

 

(Luke 8:38 NASB)  But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying,
(Luke 8:39 NASB)  “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Luke 8:39:      Yeshua wanted this man to go to the city and proclaim what Elohim had done for him.  The man knew who Yeshua was and told the people what Yeshua had done for him.
Yeshua was rejected by the city, but He still had compassion on them.  He knew that this man would have success speaking to them.  This man would speak of the great things Yeshua did for him instead of bringing to mind the sin of the people.

 

(Luke 8:40 NASB)  And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.
(Luke 8:41 NASB)  And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to entreat Him to come to his house;
(Luke 8:42 NASB)  for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes were pressing against Him.

Luke 8:42:      Jairus was a leader in the synagogue and had a very ill 12 year old daughter who was dying.

 

(Luke 8:43 NASB)  And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone,

Luke 8:43:      This women who was suffering the hemmorrhage for 12 years was unfit for any human contact (Lev. 15:19-20).  She had been to many doctors of that day, but no one could help her.

 

(Luke 8:44 NASB)  came up behind Him, and touched the fringe of His cloak; and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.

Luke 8:44:      The fringe of His cloak would have been the tassels or tsitsits of His garment.  This woman had great faithfulness for she knew that the Messiah would come and have healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2).  The Hebrew word for “wings” is “kanaph.” kanaph,  [489b]; from an unused word; wing, extremity:– bird*(1), corner(1), corners(4), covering(1), each other(1), edge(5), edges(1), ends(3), fold(m)(2), garment(m)(1), kind(m)(3), skirt(3), skirts(1), sorts(m)(1), wing(14), winged(5), wings(59), wingspan(1).
This woman had faithfulness that Yeshua would have healing in even the tassels of His garment.  Her action of faithfulness was rewarded.

 

(Luke 8:45 NASB)  And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the multitudes are crowding and pressing upon You.”
(Luke 8:46 NASB)  But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”
(Luke 8:47 NASB)  And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.
(Luke 8:48 NASB)  And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

Luke 8:48:      Yeshua knew who touched Him and why.  He wanted this woman to come back and tell the people the reason why she had touched Him.  It should appear that this woman said she knew Yeshua was the Sun of Righteousness sent by the Father as spoken of by the prophet Malachi.

 

(Luke 8:49 NASB)  While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.”
(Luke 8:50 NASB)  But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she shall be made well.”
(Luke 8:51 NASB)  And when He had come to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother.

Luke 8:51:      Only Yeshua and a few others went in.

 

(Luke 8:52 NASB)  Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.”
(Luke 8:53 NASB)  And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.
(Luke 8:54 NASB)  He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!”
(Luke 8:55 NASB)  And her spirit returned, and she rose immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat.

Luke 8:55:      Yeshua said she is only asleep.  That is how the “dead” are often described in Scripture (Matt. 27:52, 1 Cor. 15:18-20, 1 Thess. 4:13-15).
The Greek term here for “spirit” is “pneuma.”  It means “breath.”  G4151. pneuma,  from G4154; wind, spirit:– breath(3), Spirit(239), spirit(103), spirits(32), spiritual(m)(1), wind(1), winds(1).
Her breath returned and she was alive.

 

(Luke 8:56 NASB)  And her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

Luke 8:56:      Yeshua often instructed people not to tell others what He had done.  His time to reveal Himself was not yet.