LUKE 8

Titles for today’s study are; Verses 1-3 Jesus ministers widely. Verse 4-15 The Parable of the Sower. Verses 16-18 The Parable of the Candle. Verses 19-21 Jesus’s true kin. Verses 22-25 Jesus quiets a storm. Verses 26-40 Jesus cast out demons in Gadara. Verses 41-56 Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter and heals a woman’s blood disease. Luke 8 and verse 1 reads.

Luke 8:1] 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,

We will see here that there were many other disciples and not only the twelve with Jesus.

Luke 8:2] And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

It’s sad that many pastors are ignorant and call Mary Magdalene a prostitute. Nowhere in God’s Word will you find her called that. She had seven evil spirits and that is all that is said about her.

Luke 8:3] And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Susanna G4677 means; A lily. Is Greek for the Hebrew name Shoshannah. Joanna G2489 means; Yahoveh is a gracious giver. Notice she is the wife of a steward of Herod. A believer and a follower of Jesus.

Luke 8:4] And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

We begin the Parable of the Sower. To sow is to broadcast, the seed is the Word of God. Jesus will explain very simply for us to understand.

Luke 8:5] A 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.

The wayside is the world, those that do not want to hear the Word of God and the wicked of the world will devour them up.

Luke 8:6] And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

These received the Word of God. But because they had no further teaching of his Word, they only had milk. Meaning only salvation and baptism, they didn’t get the depth of God’s Word. And at the first sign of trouble, having no backbone, they would fall away from God.

Luke 8:7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

These thorns are Satan and his children, the Kenites, and they keep others from hearing the Truth.

Luke 8:8] And 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.

Now we have ground to produce a harvest. We know that we are supposed to have good fruit. So, what is good fruit, good fruit comes from us teaching the Word of God to others in this world. It is also called our works. Whenever you read ears to hear or eyes to see know that it is written for God’s Elect to know and understand. Do you now understand what was just said above, then know you are one of God’s Elect. For only God can open eyes or shut them. Now come the disciples to Jesus, notice they will need a little help understanding what was said. And for those who still don’t quite understand, let Jesus explain.

Luke 8:9] And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
[10] And 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.

Jesus just explained; Ears to hear first. I want to go to Isaiah, where Isaiah is sent as we are today. Isaiah 6 and verse 8 reads.

Isa.6:8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
[9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
[10] Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
[11] Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
[12] And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

This explains Rev.19:10 for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy. Prophecy is always explained; He was, He is and He is to come. A threefold conviction. By speaking in parables, the LORD is separating those who can and will know from those whose eyes and ears the LORD has closed. These verses in Isaiah 6:8-12 show us that these parables are hidden for those here in the fifth trump through the sixth trump, when the great Apostacy takes place. Now, let’s go to Isaiah 29 and verse 10 reads.

Isa.29:10] For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

Speaking of their false prophets, scribes and Pharisees, and about our false teachers in our churches today.

Isa.29:11] And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

Don’t let an unlearned pastor tell you today God’s Word is sealed, it is only sealed to those who haven’t received his Word, and whose eyes are not opened.

Isa.29:12] And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
[13] Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

By the traditions of men and not by the Word of God.

Isa.29:14] Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

The LORD will open eyes and he will shut eyes. Jesus taught us this in Rev.3 and speaking to the church of Philadelphia he says in verse 6 and it reads.

Rev.3:6] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
[7] And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
[8] I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The LORD will open the eyes of his Elect in due season. I pray he is opening your eyes and ears right now. The Key of David is the knowledge of both seed’s, the Serpent’s seed and the woman’s seed. All these prophecies are written for our examples. 1Corinthians 10 and verse 11 reads.

1Cor.10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Back to Luke 8 and verse 11 reads.

Luke 8:11] Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Open your ears, Jesus is going to explain the parable. The seed is the Word of God.

Luke 8:12] Those 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.

Luke 8:5, Satan takes away the Word from them because they had no good teachers. The “Lest they should believe and be saved” is the same from Isa.6:10 “And convert and be healed.”

Luke 8:13] They 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.

But when the Tempter comes, they have no backbone because they were not taught the Key of David. Luke 8:6.

Luke 8:14] And 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.

Choked by the Kenites and riches of this world, talking about the temptations of this world. Luke 8:7. Remember we are given these as examples for us in these end times. Let’s go to Jeremiah 4 and verse 1 reads.

Jer.4:1] If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
[2] And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
[3] For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Come back to the LORD, repent and search his Word. He will open your eyes and ears to His Word. Back to Luke 8 and verse 15 reads.

Luke 8:15] But 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.

These are those of us who receive his Word, his Truth, and keep it. We search for truth and the LORD has opened our eyes and ears to his Word and we serve him and we teach others. This is the Works that we take with us to heaven, and pray to hear, “Job well done my good and faithful servants”. Let’s go to Romans 2 and verse 6 reads.

Rom.2:6] Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
[7] To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Now let’s go to James 5 and verse 7 reads.

James 5:7] Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
[8] Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

We can now see here it is written for us in these end times. We now come to the Parable of the Candle. Back to Luke 8 and verse 16 reads.

Luke 8:16] No 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.

Be the servant that makes known the Truth of God’s Word. Be that light that shines in the darkness, showing the world that the LORD dwells in you and you in Him.

Luke 8:17] For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

The whole Word of God is made known to his Elect, but to those of the world, their eyes are closed.

Luke 8:18] Take 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.

The LORD can open eyes or he can close them. I pray that you hear “Job well done my good and faithful servant”.

Luke 8:19] Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
[20] And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
[21] And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Jesus did not disrespect his mother and brothers that came to him, on the contrary, he is teaching us that we are his mother and brothers. Those that hear the Word of God, and DO IT, be a doer of his Word. I like how it is said in Mark 3 and verse 35 reads.

Mark 3:35] For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Back to Luke 8 and verse 22 reads.

Luke 8:22] 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.

We learned in Luke 5:1 this is Lake Gennesaret also called the Sea of Galilee. Now, the Lord said; We are going over to the other side. This will show us how quickly, even a disciple of Jesus, can lose faith.

Luke 8:23] But 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.
[24] And 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.
[25] And 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.

I have done a work on Faith in Topical Teachings. Very important to understand. Now, these disciples have been with Jesus for a while now. The Son of God was with them, and we know if you have the Son then you have the Father within you also. They should have known the scriptures, written by king David long ago, Psalms 65 and verse 5 reads.

Psa.65:5] By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
[6] Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
[7] Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
[8] They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

Now let’s go to Psalms 89 and verse 8 reads.

Psa.89:8] O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
[9] Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

And also Psalms 107 and verse 27 reads.

Psa.107:27] They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
[28] Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

Should not these disciples have known these scriptures? Let me ask you, did you know these scriptures? Let’s go to 2Timothy 2 and verse 15 reads.

2Tim.2:15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This is why Jesus would say, “O ye of little faith”. We, as Christ’s disciples, must know his Word and study his Word. Back to Luke 8 and verse 26 reads.

Luke 8:26] And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

Gadarenes is said here, and Gergesenes is said in Matthew 8:28. Gadarene is a place by the Sea of Galilee, where the people (called Gergesenes) lived. In the land of the Gergesenes is our hint that these people are not of Israel. They keep swine, an abomination to our LORD, and not a clean meat. Let’s look at this word Gergesenes G1086 and means; a Gergesene (that is Girgashite) or one of the aborigines of Palestine. Gergesenes = “a stranger drawing near”. They are Gentiles. The word Gadarenes is G1046 and means; a Gadarene or inhabitant of Gadara. Which means; reward at the end. 1. also called Gergesenes, was the capital of Peraea, situated opposite the south extremity of the Lake of Gennesaret to the south-east, but at some distance from the lake on the banks of the river Hieromax. A town East of the Jordan.

Luke 8:27] And 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.

Having to explain this again is important as many claim there is a controversy in God’s Word. Never, what is said in Matthew 8:28 is that two came out and met Jesus, Matthew included both the man and the devil which possessed the man.

Luke 8:28] 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 beseech thee, torment me not.

The demons that possessed this man knew who Jesus was, calling him Son of God most high. In this verse many opportunities to seek truth are given here, let’s look at them. He, the demon speaking for all that possessed this man, cried out and fell down before him. This should remind us that All knees will bow before Jesus. And the torment me not, should remind us this is only the first advent. Jesus gives us power over all evil spirits in Luke 10 and verse 19 reads.

Luke 10:19] Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Back to Luke 8 and verse 29 reads.

Luke 8:29] (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.)
[30] And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
[31] And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

They asked if Jesus would not put them into the deep, meaning on the other side of the gulf. Which is where they will go when you send them back to the Father in Jesus’s name. That would be basically a death sentence for them. Jesus will allow them to go into the swine for our sakes, to show us that we do in fact have powers over them. But we must remember Luke 11 and verse 24 reads.

Luke 11:24] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
[25] And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
[26] Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

After you cast out an evil spirit you had better fill that person with Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Back to Luke 8 and verse 32 reads.

Luke 8:32] And 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.
[33] Then 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.

Even the swine knew that they would be better off drowned than to live with an evil spirit.

Luke 8:34] When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.
[35] Then 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.

Will these people be thankful that Jesus cleansed this man, or will they be more upset that they lost money in the swine?

Luke 8:36] They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
[37] Then 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.
[38] Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
[39] Return 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.

His house was in Decapolis which is Syria of today. Mark 5:20. He wanted to follow Jesus, but being of the Gergesenes of Gadarenes he would not be allowed to follow Jesus because he was not an Israelite. Jesus will use this man to go back and prepare them for his Glory after he would be crucified. And then all, even the Gentiles could be saved. This man would go and preach that Salvation has come to the world. I’m sure he also heard “Job well done my good and faithful servant”. Let’s go to Isaiah 49 and verse 6 reads.

Isa.49:6] And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Back to Luke 8 and verse 40 reads.

Luke 8:40] And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

Also proving that Jesus went into the land of the Gentiles. Let’s think about this for a minute. Jesus went all the way into the land of the Gentiles to deliver a Gentile from evil spirits. How awesome and compassionate is our Lord.

Luke 8:41] And, 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:

Jairus means; Whom God enlightens. Jesus just came from the land of the gentiles to enlighten them with a man that was possessed of many evil spirits. Now, we have a Pharisee that truly believes Jesus is the Christ. We will see the number 12 here, it does have meaning. In biblical numerology 12 means; governmental perfection. As in the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 8:42] For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
[43] And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
[44] Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

Let’s go to Numbers 15 and verse 37 reads.

Num.15:37] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
[38] Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
[39] And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
[40] That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

Now let’s go to Mark 3 and verse 10 reads.

Mark 3:10] For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

Now Mark 6 and verse 56 reads.

Mark 6:56] And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

It seems just a little faith is all it takes. Back to Luke 8 and verse 45 reads.

Luke 8:45] And 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?
[46] And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

Remember Luke 6 and verse 19 reads.

Luke 6:19] And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

We learned in Luke 6 that virtue is Jesus’s Power to heal. Back to Luke 8 and verse 47 reads.

Luke 8:47] And 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.
[48] And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Many people think Jesus was harsh in wanting to know who it was that touched him. But we see that Jesus just wanted to talk with her, and bless her. I want to ask why the priests were unable to heal anyone? We know, because they were not appointed by God but the Roman government.

Luke 8:49] While 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.
[50] But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
[51] And 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.

Take away any and all unbelief from beside the child.

Luke 8:52] And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
[53] And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

The LORD will not be mocked. Let’s go to Galatians 6 and verse 7 reads.

Gal.6:7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Now this child represents Israel of today, we are in a desperate need of a healing. The child being twelve years and the woman being with her issue for twelve years gives us 12×12 which equals 144,000. Back to Luke 8 and verse 54 reads.

Luke 8:54] And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
[55] And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
[56] And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

Give her meat, not milk. Think spiritually and think of Israel needing a healing in these end times. First let’s go to Amos 8 and verse 11 reads.

Amos 8:11] Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

Now let’s go to Hebrews 5 and verse 12 reads.

Heb.5:12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The young girl will eventually be used to preach the gospels to that country with no doubt. Many stories that you hear in one gospel can be found in the others. Check the other gospels for a more perfect understanding. Today’s study can be found in Mat.8 and Mark 5. Let’s go to his throne.

Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.

KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible