Luke Chapter 8 Part 2

Verses 31-39 Legion is Cast Out of a Man

31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. 38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.[1]

Verse 31

And they – The demons, previously spoken of in a singular tense, are now spoken of in the plural with the revelation of being man in verse thirty.

Besought – That is, they begged Christ.

Would not command them to go out into the deep – The deep is the Abyss, a place in Revelation described as a holding pit for the demons and Satan. (Rev 20:3) This further expounds upon the plea of the demons in verse twenty-eight to not be tormented of Christ.

Verse 32

A heard of many swine – Swine were unclean and prohibited in the Jewish diet because they did not chew the cud (Lev 11:7) and therefore would have been an appropriate dwelling for demons. In Mark five, we are informed of the number of pigs, about two-thousand.

Besought Him to enter them – besought in this case takes a different sense that in the last. They ask for permission to enter the pigs, rather than cast into the pit.

And He suffered them – The English translation does not always use the best words to convey the meaning of scripture. The Greek word Epitrepo means to grant permission. The Lord allowed for their request.

Verse 33

Then went the devils out of the man – The first of three confirmations of the demoniacs deliverance, the devils depart from the man and entered into the swine.

The herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake – Why the pigs reacted in the manner they did, whether the demons caused it, or it was a reaction is unknown. In any case, we have already seen the harm these devils may cause and the reaction itself should go unquestioned. See comments on verse twenty-six for issues relating to the geographic location in connection with this account.

The reaction of the pigs is the second of three confirmations of the mans deliverance.

And choked – The pigs suffocated and drowned in the lake.

Many struggle with this account – Questions I have heard range from “Why did Christ suffer the pigs?” to “How could Christ have caused the financial distress to the owners of the pigs?” A couple of points to consider. Christ did not command the demons to enter the pigs, He only allowed them to. In addition, Christ did not command the demons nor the pigs to dive for the lake.

A final point of consideration, from the perspective of the gospel writers, is the worth of the soul of man. To them, the deliverance and salvation of the man was worth more than the economic disaster of the pigs drowning. For whom should have been suffered to be saved, the pigs, or the man?

Verse 34

Those who saw the account quickly, and for obvious reasons left to tell of what had happened to the town.

Verse 35

Naturally, the people came to see for themselves what had happened. What they then see is the third confirmation of the mans deliverance.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus – Whereas before, he was among the tombs. He now sits civilized at the feet of Jesus.

Clothed – Whereas he was before naked, he is now clothed.

In His right mind – Whereas before he was mad and violent, restrained under guard.

Verse 36

They also which saw it told the curious townspeople about how the man was delivered, how Jesus cast the devils out. They told of the herd of swine, how they then became possessed and ran for the water to drown.

Verse 37

The whole multitude besought Him to depart from them – Rather than rejoice at the deliverance of one from their own, they rejected Christ. Perhaps they perceived Christ as an economic liability, fearing more loss of their livestock with healings? In any case, if they perceived Him as a liability, they valued possession more than man. They rejected Christ and required of Him to leave from their coasts.

Taken with great fear – Such is the natural reaction of all men when confronted with such power from God. In the believers, this fear turns to awe, to praise of God. In the non-believer, this fear turns to rejection and persecution.

And He went up to the ship – The account is not yet concluded, but to be orderly, Luke shows that Jesus responded by leaving the area. Theologically, we may also see from Christs examples that if we are not welcome in an area, then it is time to move on with the gospel someplace else.

Verse 38

The man out of whom the devils departed besought that he might be with Him – The man who was healed could not get enough of Jesus. He wanted to be close and follow Him. This is a stark contrast to those who rejected Him at the site of the miracle.

Verse 39

But Jesus sent him away – Part of verse thirty-eight, commentary is provided here for an orderly account. Jesus sends Him home, but this is not an actual denial.

Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee – Rather than being denied, the man is invited to join Christ evangelical mission by proclaiming the news to his hometown. He is told to be a missionary where it is much needed at the time. Notice also, the command to return to his home, this is one final reminder that the man indeed was delivered from the devils.

And he went his way, published throughout the city how great things Jesus had done to him – Two possible explanations here. First, the man understood Jesus to be God and thus proclaimed what God had done, or second, the man understood what Jesus does and what God does are one.

Verses 40-48 A Hemorrhaging Women is Healed

40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. 41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.[2]

Verse 40

Generally, Christ was well received of crowds. Luke does not attempt to explain why, his main interest, in order to provide an orderly account, is to show Theophilus that He was well received.

Verse 41

Jairus – His name means God will awaken, which is exactly what happens to his daughter. Luke makes no attempt to distinguish the meaning of his name, however.

Ruler of the synagogue – Jairus was a man of position and influence. His job put him in charge of the synagogue worship service, in which, he would select who would pray, read scripture, and preach.

Laid down – He fell before Jesus in a prostrate form of worship and besought Him, that He would come to His house. Though Luke does not specifically state Jairus as requesting healing, Matthew and Mark do.

Verse 42

She lay dying – Apparently the daughter of Jairus is greatly sick and dying. Nothing is said in Luke of the manner of illness, we know only of the fathers distress.

Jairus shows his faith by coming and approaching Jesus for help.

As He went, the people thronged him – The word thronged here means to gather around Him, to press him.

Verse 43

A women having an issue of blood twelve years – This woman’s issue of a constant flow of blood was not only a inconvenience to her, but by law made her ceremonially unclean and prevented her from temple worship and practices. She would have been further distanced from people, who wanting to remain clean themselves, would avoid touching her. The heightened sense of her desperation is told in the addition of Lukes statement, of twelve years.

Spent all her living upon physicians – The women has gone to physician after physician seeking a solution to her problem. Rather than being better, she is worse off than before, being she spent all her money on the doctors.

Neither could be healed of any – Despite spending all her income on doctors, none were able to cure her of the condition.

Verse 44

In desperation, the women seeks to get close to Christ and just touch His garment. She doesn’t really want to publicly declare why she is there, but has believed that a simple touch would be enough. The large crowd pressing Jesus was perfect for the occasion, whereas under normal conditions, people would have not allowed her to get close to Jesus.

Upon touching Jesus, her flow of blood stopped immediately. Luke’s addition of immediately demonstrates that when Christ heals, it is always fully and immediately.

Verse 45

Who touched me – Christ seeks who it was who touched Him. We know today that Christ already knew, however, they did not yet know Christ as omniscient. If Christ already knew, for what purpose would He ask the question? It seems He had wanted to do something more for the women, He wanted the public to know of her permanent healing, a necessity if she is to reenter society. The conversation started provided also a moment for Christ to teach it was faith that healed her and to begin a relationship.

Peter – Peter answered speaking for all the disciples. His answer amounts to, “there are so many touching and bumping you, the question is meaningless.”

Verse 46

Someone has touched me, I perceive virtue has gone out of me – Christ explains and insists that someone has touched Him. He explains the way of which He knows, that power has gone forth from Him, the very power that healed the women.

Verse 47

When the woman saw she was not hid – The woman came to some conclusion that she was not concealed from Jesus. How about she determined this is not mentioned of Luke.

Came trembling – When she approached Jesus, she did so with fear. Perhaps she is thinking she did wrong in touching Him, for she could have made Him unclean. Perhaps she fears her healing would be taken back.

Falling before Him – She falls prostrate before the Lord in humility as she prepares to state her case.

Declared unto Him before all the people for what cause she touched Him, and how she was healed immediately – And then proceeds to publicly declare her faith that caused her to touch Him for the healing of her problem. It is at this point the public is now aware of her healing and accomplishes one mission of the Lord.

Verse 48

Daughter – This women is the only in the gospels whom Jesus called daughter. In doing so, He reassures her and calms her fears.

Be of good comfort – A word of encouragement.

Thy faith hath made thee whole – Jesus informs the women it is her faith in which she is made whole. Jesus demonstrates throughout His ministry and healings that faith and blessings are closely tied together. In addition, it is thus demonstrated faith and salvation are tied together.

Verses 49-56 Jairus’s Daughter is Raised

49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.[3]

Verse 49

While He yet spake – Mark also designates Jesus was still speaking. Here the scene returns to Jairus, who approached Christ regarding his daughter.

Thy daughter is dead – The messenger has troubling news, the daughter of Jairus has passed. In Matthew, Jairus is said to tell Christ the daughter is dead, which seems to contradict Mark and Luke. This can be dealt with by looking at Matthews account and seeing it is an abbreviated version of the story. Luke also often abbreviates and consolidated information.

Trouble not the Master – There is consideration for the Lord in the statement, knowing He is busy, and the child has already died. At the same time, there is a lack of faith for His ability to perform a miracle after death.

Verse 50

Fear not – Jesus reassures the father that it is not too late. As you have heard of other healings, your daughter too can be healed.

Believe only – That is, have faith. Luke does not add “in Christ,” or “in God,” but assumes that is implied to His readers.

And she shall be made whole – If they would have faith, their daughter would continue to live. The literal Greek word for “made whole,” means to be saved.

Verse 51

This is the first time Luke separates out the inner circle of disciples of Christ. In the last healing, which the woman intended to be secret, Christ wanted it public, and this was in consideration for the women. Here, Christ displays consideration for the child, that she shall not wake to a large crowd gathered around her.

Verse 52

All wept and bewailed her – It is not clear who “all” is in the scene. The parents are with Christ and have been reassured she shall be whole. There may certainly be friends, family, and servants there wailing.

Bewailed is literally mourning in which a person beats upon their chest.

Weep not – A command which means to stop an action that is already in progress.

She is not dead, but sleepeth – Christ does not intend for us to believe she was never dead. In Christians, it is not said that we die, but sleep. Verse fifty-five, which describes her spirit reentering her body shows she had indeed, died. Christ denies not the death, but rather, in saying she sleepeth, speaks of the nature of her death, that is was temporary.

Verse 53

The reaction of the mourners was not one of faith, but knowing she was dead, they mocked Him. They believed He was using the term sleep in ignorance rather than metaphorically.

Verse 54

Arise – The same word He spoke to the widows son in the previous chapter. In one simple word, Christ restores to life the young child.

Verse 55

Her spirit came again – This speaks of a raising of the current life. The young girl was not raised to her final resurrection. The addition of “her spirit came again,” identifies our spirits as lasting past the passing of our bodies.

She arose straightway – Immediately the young girl was healed. There is no delay in the word of God, for when He speaks, it returns instantly that which He commands it to do.

Commanded them to give her meat – Christ again shows consideration for those He interacts with. Upon healing the girl, His concern is for her body to be nourished.

Verse 56

Her parents were astonished – An honest and expected reaction.

Charged them that they should tell no man – Obviously this isn’t instruction that no one can know of what happened. There are currently people mourning immediately outside who are expecting a funeral. They will need to be informed no funeral shall be taking place. Rather, the emphasis is on the girl and her needs, where, publicity is not what she needs.

[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 8:31–39). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 8:40–48). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Lk 8:49–56). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.