Luke 8

Written on 05/10/2024

Verse 1

  • Remember that the message of the Word we bring to others is good news! It is a joyful thing that people are given the opportunity to be able to enter the kingdom of God! 

    • Be glad about this message to show the joy that others can have in Christ also!

 

Verses 2-3

  • These women that Jesus healed wanted to help provide for Him. 

  • Learn from Jesus example that when you serve others, they will want to help provide for you. Know this and realize that you will not have to be concerned about your own needs if you serve the needs of others (Proverbs 11:25).

    • Helping others with their problems will also serve to prevent you from having your own.

  • Jesus had wealth of His own (Matthew 2:11), and money He acquired from His work as a craftsman, before His ministry (Mark 6:3), but others also gave to Him.

    • Jesus also had a money-box over which Judas was treasurer (John 12:6).

    • Jesus also produced money miraculously at times (Matthew 17:27).

  • Understand that Jesus was never in a state of lack or poverty. How do we know this? He always had His needs provided for, and He was always able to provide for the needs of others (Mark 6:37-43).

    • Do not think that Jesus was poor. This mindset can be damaging to your faith, especially if it makes you think that you should be poor.

 

Verses 4-15

  • See teaching on Mark 4 and Matthew 13 for commentary.

 

Verses 16-18

  • Verse 16. When we do hear and understand the Word, we are responsible to live by it and share it with others—as a good work (Matthew 5:15-16). Not sharing the truth is like covering up a light.

  • Verse 17. Know that all truth will be revealed with time

  • Verse 18. So listen well to what you have, and obey it well. Then more revelation and greater understanding will be added to you

    • But if you do not do well with what you have, to listen to it and to share it, it will be taken away.

  • So, seek to understand the Word, listen to it well, and share it with others when you see that people could be benefitted from it.


 

Verses 19-21

  • When Jesus was teaching, and His biological relatives were seeking Him, He did not stop to give them special treatment just because they were family, even though they might have expected such treatment.

    • To know more about how to interact with biological family members, and especially those who are unbelievers, see commentary on Matthew 12:46-50.

  • Understand that Jesus associates with those who listen to His Word and obey it. Only those who are doers of the Word will enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21, Luke 6:46-49).

    • So always continue to listen to the Word and obey it!


 

Verses 22-25

  • See teaching on Matthew 8 and Mark 4 for commentary.


 

Verses 26-39

  • See teaching on Matthew 8 and Mark 5 for commentary.

  • Notice that Jesus asked the demon what its name was, and by the name it was revealed that there were many demons present (Mark 5:9).

    • Understand that many demons can possess a person at the same time, and there is no use in trying to cast out many demons one at time. Jesus cast them out all at once. 


 

Verses 40-56

  • See teaching on Matthew 9 and Mark 5 for commentary.

  • Verse 55. The spirit of a person can return to the body, to revitalize it, but not in all cases.

    • It is appointed unto men to die once, and afterward the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

      • It seems that if God has a person's spirit go immediately to judgment (heaven or hell), the person would not be raised from the dead, as that would mean they would die and be judged a second time, which would contradict Hebrews 9:27.

      • But if, for any reason, a person's spirit is to linger, the person could be raised from the dead.

  • Simply understand that, although all things are possible with God, we cannot raise anyone we want from the dead. We must be led by the will of God. And, as a general rule, if a spirit goes to the Father for judgment, after death, it will not be returned.