Luke 8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:1

Throughout every city and village - That is, of Galilee. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:2

Out of whom went seven devils - Who had been possessed in a most extraordinary manner; probably a case of inveterate lunacy, brought on by the influence of evil spirits. The number seven may here express the superlative degree. Mary Magdalene is commonly thought to have been a prostitute before she came to the knowledge of Christ, and then to have been a remarkable penitent. So historians and painters represent her: but neither from this passage, nor from any other of the New Testament,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:3

Herod's steward - Though the original word, επιτροπος , signifies sometimes the inspector or overseer of a province, and sometimes a tutor of children, yet here it seems to signify the overseer of Herod's domestic affairs: the steward of his household. Steward of the household was an office in the king's palace by s. 24, of Hen. VIII. The person is now entitled lord steward of the king's household, and the office is, I believe, more honorable and of more importance than when it was first... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:5

A sower went out to sow - See all this parable largely explained on Matthew 13:1-23 (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:12

Those by the way side - Bishop Pearce thinks that Luke by οἱ here means σποροι , the seeds, though he acknowledges that he has never found such a word as σποροι in the plural number signifying seeds. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:15

With patience - Rather, with perseverance. The Greek word ὑπομονη , which our translators render patience, properly signifies here, and in Romans 2:7 , perseverance. The good ground, because it is good, strong and vigorous, continues to bear: bad or poor ground cannot produce a good crop, and besides it is very soon exhausted. The persons called the good ground in the text are filled with the power and influence of God, and therefore continue to bring forth fruit; i.e. they persevere in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:16

Lighted a candle - This is a repetition of a part of our Lord's sermon on the mount. See the notes on Matthew 5:15 ; Matthew 10:26 ; and on Mark 4:21 , Mark 4:22 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:17

For nothing is secret, etc. - Whatever I teach you in private, ye shall teach publicly; and ye shall illustrate and explain every parable now delivered to the people. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:18

Even that which he seemeth to have - Or rather, even what he hath. Ὁ δοκει εχειν , rendered by our common version, what he seemeth to have, seems to me to contradict itself. Let us examine this subject a little. To seem to have a thing, is only to have it in appearance, and not in reality; but what is possessed in appearance only can only be taken away in appearance; therefore on the one side there is no gain, and on the other side no loss. On this ground, the text speaks just nothing. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 8:19

His mother and brethren - See the notes on Matthew 12:46 , etc., and on Mark 3:31 ; (note), etc. read more

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