Luke 8

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:13

(13) In time of temptation.—The form of the temptation (or better, trial) is explained by the “tribulation or persecution” of the other two reports. So St. Luke gives “fall away” where the others give “they are offended.” read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:14

(14) Cares and riches and pleasures of this life.—Better, simply, of life, St. Luke’s word (bios) being different from that in the other two Gospels (œon, a time, or period—and so used for “the world”). The insertion of “pleasures” is peculiar to St. Luke, as is also the specific “bring no fruit to perfection “instead of “becometh unfruitful.” The one Greek word which St. Luke uses, and for which the English version substitutes five, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, and belonging, as... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:15

(15) In an honest and good heart.—The Greek for “honest” has a somewhat higher meaning than that which now attaches to the English, and may be better expressed by noble or honourable. The two adjectives were frequently joined together by Greek ethical writers (kalok’agathos), the nobly-good, and so applied to the best forms of an aristocracy, or claimed by those who professed to represent it, to express the highest ideal of moral excellence.With patience.—Better, with perseverance, or... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:16

(16) No man, when he hath lighted a candle.—Better, a lamp; and for “a candlestick,” the lampstand. See Notes on Matthew 5:15; Mark 4:21. In St. Matthew the proverb comes into the Sermon on the Mount; in St. Mark it occupies a position analogous to that in which it stands here, and this agreement favours the view that it was actually spoken in connection with the interpretation of the parable, as a special application of what had before been stated generally.Note St. Luke’s more general term,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:17

(17) For nothing is secret.—Another of the maxims which were often in our Lord’s lips, and applied as circumstances presented themselves. In Matthew 10:26 (where see Note) it forms part of the charge to the twelve Apostles; here it follows on the interpretation of the parable of the Sower; in Luke 12:2 it points the moral of the uselessness of hypocrisy. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:18

(18) Take heed therefore how ye hear.—This again meets us in different contexts. Here and in Matthew 13:12 (where see Note), after the interpretation of the Sower; in Matthew 25:29, as the lesson of the parable of the Talents; in Luke 19:26, in an analogous position, as the lesson of the parable of the Pounds.That which he seemeth to have.—Better, with the margin, as 1 Corinthians 10:12, that which he thinks he hath. It is only in this passage that the close of the proverb takes this form. The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:19-21

(19-21) Then came to him his mother and his brethren.—See Notes on Matthew 12:46-50, and Mark 3:31-35. There cannot be any doubt that we have in those passages a report of the same incident; but it may be noted that St. Luke places it after the teaching by parables, and the other two Gospels before. In this instance the evidence preponderates in favour of the latter sequence of events.For the press.—Better, by reason of the multitude. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:20

(20) It was told him by certain which said, . . .—Better, more simply, it was told Him. Looking to the greater fulness of St. Mark’s report, we may, perhaps, infer that this was one of the facts which St. Luke learnt from St. Mark when they met at Rome. (See Introduction.) read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:21

(21) My mother and my brethren.—The answer agrees very closely with that in the other Gospels. But note the use of “the word of God,” instead of “the will of God” in St. Mark, and “the will of my Father” in St. Matthew, as throwing light on the meaning of the former phrase, and showing its fulness and width of meaning. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:22

(22) It came to pass on a certain day.—See Notes on Matthew 8:18; Matthew 8:23-27, and Mark 4:35-41. Literally, on one of the days. The vagueness of St. Luke’s note of time, as compared with the more precise statements in St. Matthew (Matthew 8:18) and St. Mark (Mark 4:35), is perhaps characteristic of this Evangelist as an inquirer coming late into the field, aiming at exactness, not always succeeding in satisfying himself as to the precise sequence of events, and honestly confessing when he... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:13

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:14

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:15

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:16

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:17

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:18

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:19-21

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:20

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:21

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 8:22

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