Luke 8

Mortal Ministry

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, Luke 8:1–3

Jesus Himself carries the good news from town to town, with the Twelve and faithful women serving with Him. The glad tidings of the kingdom are the news that the promised King has come.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Isaiah 52:7 — How beautiful are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace
• alludes to Luke 4:43 — Jesus: I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also; for therefore am I sent

The Sower of the Word

And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: Luke 8:4–15

Jesus is the great Sower who scatters the word of God into human hearts; the parable is about how we receive Him and His message. In a companion parable He says plainly that the one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 13:3-23 — Matthew's account of the parable of the sower and its interpretation
• a parallel account in Mark 4:3-20 — Mark's account of the same parable
• interpreted by Matthew 13:37 — He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man (in the related parable of the wheat and tares)
• alluded to by Alma 32:28 — Alma compares the word to a seed planted in the heart

Family of Christ

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. Luke 8:19–21

Jesus declares that those who hear and obey God's word become His family. This is the covenant idea that disciples are born into His family and become His sons and daughters.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by Mosiah 5:7 — Ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters
• a parallel account in Mark 3:31-35 — Mark's account of Jesus naming His true family

Master of Wind and Water

Master (Greek epistates) — one set over, commander

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. Luke 8:22–25

The disciples call Him Master, then watch the winds and sea obey Him. Only the Creator commands the elements; the Old Testament says it is the LORD who stills the storm, and here Jesus does it with a word.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Psalm 107:29 — He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still
• alludes to Psalm 89:9 — Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them
• a parallel account in Mark 4:35-41 — Mark's account of the stilling of the storm

Son of God Most High

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Son of God most High — the Son of the supreme God

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. Luke 8:28–29

The evil spirits recognize exactly who Jesus is and fear His power. Even His enemies testify that He is the Son of the Most High God, as Gabriel had announced.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Luke 1:32 — Gabriel: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest
• a parallel account in Mark 5:7 — Mark's account of Legion's cry
• alluded to by James 2:19 — the devils also believe, and tremble

Jesus the Deliverer

Jesus — Jehovah saves

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. Luke 8:35–39

Jesus tells the healed man to tell what God has done, and the man goes and tells what Jesus has done. Luke quietly places the two side by side: what Jesus does, God does, because Jesus is God come in the flesh.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 5:19-20 — Mark: how great things the Lord hath done for thee... how great things Jesus had done for him
• fulfils Isaiah 61:1 — to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound

Healing Power of Christ

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Luke 8:43–48

Healing power flows from Jesus Himself when a suffering woman reaches for Him in faith. He calls her Daughter and tells her that faith in Him has made her whole, a picture of how His power heals all who come to Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Malachi 4:2 — the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings (the Hebrew word for wings also means the corners or border of a garment)
• alludes to Numbers 15:38-39 — the fringes in the borders of Israelite garments as reminders of the LORD's commandments
• a parallel account in Mark 5:25-34 — Mark's account of the woman healed

Resurrection and the Life

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. Luke 8:49–56

Jesus raises a dead girl with a simple command, and her spirit returns to her body. His power over death here previews His own Resurrection and His promise that all will rise because of Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 11:25 — I am the resurrection, and the life
• a parallel account in Mark 5:35-43 — Mark's account of raising Jairus's daughter
• alludes to 1 Kings 17:21-23 — Elijah prays and the child's soul comes into him again