Jesus concluded by urging His disciples to listen carefully to what He taught them. If they believed what He told them, God would give them more truth. However if they disbelieved, God would remove what truth they thought they had from them. read more
4. The true family of Jesus 8:19-21 (cf. Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35)Apparently Luke moved this teaching from Jesus’ earlier controversy with the Pharisees over His authority to provide a conclusion for this section of teaching (cf. Matthew 12:22-50; Mark 3:19-35). It continues the theme of the importance of obedience that has been dominant in the preceding context.Jesus was not dishonoring His human family members but honoring those who obey God. Some people feel close to God when they read... read more
Evidently Jesus mentioned crossing the lake to His disciples before and after He entered the boat (cf. Matthew 8:18; Mark 4:35). Jesus’ command to cross constituted a guarantee that they would arrive safely. The other side was the east side (cf. Luke 8:26). Luke introduced the fact that Jesus fell asleep before he mentioned the storm breaking, perhaps to heighten the contrast between Jesus’ peaceful condition and the storm. He stressed the severity of the storm by mentioning the wind three... read more
1. The stilling of a storm 8:22-25 (cf. Matthew 8:18, 23-27; Mark 4:35-41)This story pictures Jesus in complete control of Himself and His environment. Its climax is not the stilling of the storm but the disciples’ question about Jesus’ identity (Luke 8:25). This is the first miracle that Luke recorded that did not involve a person. It showed that Jesus had the power of God over nature that God demonstrated in the Exodus (Exodus 14; cf. Psalms 89:8-9; Psalms 93:3-4; Psalms 106:8-9; Psalms... read more
F. Jesus’ mighty works 8:22-56This section is quite similar to Mark’s account. Luke chose miracles that demonstrated Jesus’ power over nature, demons, and illness and death to show Jesus’ authority as the divine Savior. Again he stressed the powerful word of Jesus. These miracles also revealed Jesus’ compassion and willingness to save people in need. read more
This time of testing was a challenge to the disciples’ faith in Jesus’ word (cf. Luke 8:13). They stopped believing momentarily. Their double address, "Master, Master," showed their urgency. Jesus reminded them of their unbelief with His question. Luke recorded a milder rebuke than Mark did (Mark 4:40) perhaps showing that faith is a dynamic quality that grows and shrinks (cf. Luke 8:13-15). The disciples’ question showed their lack of perception of Jesus’ true identity (cf. Luke 9:20). They... read more
Mark and Luke called this area the country of the Gerasenes, but Matthew called it the country of the Gadarenes. Gergesa (also referred to as Gersa, Kersa, and Kursi) was a small village about midway on the eastern shore of the lake. Gadara, one of the Decapolis cities, was a larger town six miles southeast of the lake’s southern end. [Note: Jack Finegan, The Archaeology of the New Testament, p. 62.] This incident apparently happened somewhere near both towns on the southeast coast of the lake.... read more
2. The deliverance of a demoniac in Gadara 8:26-39 (cf. Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20)The raging of this demoniac was even worse than the raging of the waters of Galilee (cf. Psalms 65:7). Demonic power was evident in the Hellenistic world of Luke’s original readers. The fact that this incident happened in predominantly Gentile territory suggests that Luke may have seen in it a preview of the church’s ministry to Gentiles (cf. Acts 26:18). In his account of this incident Luke stressed the saving... read more
Jesus was probably asking the name of the demon who indwelt the man for His disciples’ benefit. "Legion" was not a proper name but the name of a Roman military unit that consisted of about 6,000 soldiers. The name "Legion" communicated that thousands of demons indwelt the man (cf. Luke 8:2; Mark 5:13). The "abyss" refers to the final confinement place of the devil and his angels (cf. Romans 10:7; Revelation 9:1-3; Revelation 11:7; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:1-3). The Jews thought of it as a... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 8:17
Jesus next commented on the parable of the lamp indicating its significance. Disciples should not suppose that because God had kept the truth that Jesus had revealed to them secret He wanted it to remain hidden. He wanted it declared publicly now. read more