And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in Luke 8:8 . on. Greek. epi. Same as "upon" (Luke 8:6 ). had. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version omits "had". He that hath ears, &c. See note on Matthew 11:15 and App-142 . read more
E. Jesus’ teaching in parables 8:1-21The present section of Luke follows the same basic pattern as the former one. There is a block of teaching (Luke 8:1-21; cf. Luke 6:12-49) followed by another account of Jesus’ mighty works (Luke 8:22-56; cf. ch. 7). read more
The giving of the parable 8:4-8 (cf. Matthew 13:1-9; Mark 4:1-9)As in the other Synoptics, Jesus gave the first parable to the crowds and then interpreted it for His disciples. read more
2. The parable of the soils 8:4-15Luke’s account of Jesus’ parables by the sea is the shortest of the three, and Matthew’s is the longest. Luke limited himself to recording only two parables, namely, the parable of the soils and the parable of the lamp. He thereby stressed the importance of hearing, obeying, and proclaiming the Word of God."Unlike Mark 4 and Matthew 13, where entire chapters are devoted to kingdom teaching via parables, Luke concentrates on the one theme of faith both here and... read more
The main focus of this parable in all the Synoptics is not on the sower (Jesus and His disciples) or the seed (the Word of God), as important as these are. It is the soils on which the seed falls. Evidently in Jesus’ day, at least in some situations, sowing preceded plowing. [Note: Liefeld, p. 906; Fitzmyer, p. 703; Morris, p. 151.] Consequently it is not unusual that the sower scattered his seed where he did. The presence of thorn seeds would not discourage the sower from sowing seed among... read more
Parable of the Sower. The Demoniac of Gadara1-3. Tours through Galilee. The ministering women (peculiar to Lk).2. Mary called Magdalene] see on Matthew 27:56.Seven devils] Mark 16:9. The ’seven’ indicates the greatness of her disease, not of her previous wickedness. There is no evidence that the persons possessed with devils in the NT. were specially wicked, or that Mary Magdalene had ever been a woman of evil life.3. Joanna] see Luke 24:10. Our Lord did not, like the Pharisees,’ devour widows’... read more
(5-15) A sower went out to sow.—See Notes on Matthew 13:3-23. Better, the sower. The vivid touch that the seed was “trodden down” is peculiar to St. Luke. read more
(8) Bare fruit an hundredfold.—The graduated scale of fertility common to the other two reports is wanting in St. Luke, who dwells only on the highest. read more
Luke 8:2-3 This passage, one of Luke's special contributions to the gospel narrative, describes the double circle of Christ's followers. (a) And with Him, the twelve, i.e. those specially called to high enterprise and service. This represents the circle of people in the Church who are conscious of a definite vocation and moved by the Spirit of Christ to serve the Church with consecrated lives. (b) But alongside of these are certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities,... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 8:1-18
PARABLES54. The sower (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-29; Luke 8:1-18)To visit all the towns of Galilee was a huge task. Jesus and his disciples were helped in this work by a group of women who went with them to look after their daily needs (Luke 8:1-3). Crowds of people came to see Jesus wherever he went, and were often a hindrance to the progress of the gospel. It seems that one reason Jesus began to teach extensively in parables was to separate those who were genuinely interested from those who... read more