Luke 8:49-56

⁴⁹ While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” ⁵⁰ But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” ⁵¹ When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. ⁵² Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” ⁵³ And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” ⁵⁵ Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. ⁵⁶ And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Commentary
Now as Jesus was still speaking to the woman, someone came from the ruler of the synagogues house telling him that his daughter had just died so that he needs no longer “trouble” the Teacher; that is ask Jesus to come and heal her, which must have been utterly devastating for the man to hear, knowing that Jesus was so close to his home before she had died (vs. 49). Having then heard the man’s words, and seen the rulers now despondent face, Jesus now says to him, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” ^{vs. 50} In Jesus’ Words then there is hope, hope and a promise that that man desperately needed to hear at that time. Therefore, Jesus went to mans house as He originally intended. and when He came into the house, He permitted no one to enter with Him except Peter, James and John and the little girls’ parents (vs. 51). The little girl’s healing then was not going to be a public witness as His healing the woman’s flow of blood was, this something that needed to be done privately and respectfully, considering her parents devastated state at that time. Now all gathered there were weeping and mourning for her, but when Jesus said to them, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” They ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead (vs. 52-53). Which raises a question, why did Jesus say she was sleeping when she was dead? It may have been that He did so, so as not to overtly arouse the people there? For if it was known there that Jesus was fully capable of raising their deceased loved ones from the dead what then would’ve happened? For Jesus was already being swamped by the people wherever He went with them wanting Him to heal them or their loved ones of this or that. In all likelihood if He started doing that openly and on a larger scale, they would’ve wanted to make Him their King then and now, and that would’ve only thwarted His God given purpose and destiny with the Cross. For it was much too early to have a widespread report about Jesus raising people from the dead, for His own Crucifixion and Resurrection from the dead was still far off. Therefore, when Jesus put them all outside; that is those who ridiculed Him; He took her by the hand and said to her, “Little girl, arise.” (vs. 54) Now as soon as Jesus spoke that word to the little girl her spirit returned to her, (indicating that she had been dead), and when she arose, Jesus told them that she should be given something to eat (Vs. 55). Now her parents when they saw this were utterly astonished at what had just occurred. It is then that Jesus charges them to tell no one; something He would not have done if she had been only “sleeping” or in comatose, or unconscious state. Jesus’ then in raising this little girl from the dead, and thus restoring her to life, was not as a witness for Himself, but for her and her parents sake.

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 8:41-48

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 begged Him to come to his house, ⁴² for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. ⁴³ Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, ⁴⁴ came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. ⁴⁵ And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” ⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” ⁴⁷ Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. ⁴⁸ And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Commentary
Vs. 41-42 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 begged Him to come to his house, ⁴² for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.

Now with Jesus’ arrival back on the shore and a multitude of people being there who were waiting for Him and who greeted Him upon His arrival, amongst them also was a man named Jairus who was the ruler of the synagogue there. This man desperately wanted to see Jesus, for he had a twelve-year-old daughter who was dying, and so when he came to Jesus he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, however as Jesus went the multitudes thronged Him.

Vs. 43-44 ⁴³ Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, ⁴⁴ came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

Now as this was occurring there drew near to Jesus a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years (who was according to the Law of Moses ceremonially defiled, and thus would’ve been excluded from having normal relations and personal contact within the community, see Lev. 15:19-33; vs. 25-33). And so, it was that this woman in her desperation to be healed had spent all of her livelihood on physicians and yet could not be healed by any. And so, you can imagine the plight of this poor woman, who was not only an outcast in her own community, but now also impoverished! And so, it was that when she approached Jesus she did so by great stealth, for if anyone recognized her, they would’ve thrust her out from amongst them and Him. Therefore, not wanting to be recognized she approaches Jesus from behind and touches the border of His garment. Now this she did since she believed that in doing so, she would be healed (Matt. 9:21). Now when she did her flow of blood immediately stopped.

Vs. 45-48 ⁴⁵ And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” ⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” ⁴⁷ Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. ⁴⁸ And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Now when she did so Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” However, those around Jesus all denied doing so. Then Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ (vs. 45), However Jesus is insistent and says again to them, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” (vs. 46)

Therefore, the woman seeing that she was not hidden, came before Jesus trembling and falling down before Him, she declared to Him and all there the reason she had touched Jesus and how she was immediately healed when she touched Him (vs. 47). Now at this point this woman is more than likely expecting a stern rebuke, for that is what she would’ve been accustomed too, having had this flow of blood for twelve years. For everywhere she would’ve gone, people would’ve rebuked her for touching this or sitting on that, or worse coming into contact with someone, and thus making them temporarily ceremonially defiled like she was. And so, at this point you can just imagine her great trepidation and fear as to what is about to happen next. Now with the woman’s honest confession about what she did and why she did it, Jesus’ does not rebuke her. Instead He says’ to her: “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Now if there is one thing that I want you to take away from Jesus’ Words to her, Words of grace and truth (John 1:17), is that He said that it was her faith in His Person to do what she, and no one else could do for her, that made her well. For that is the fundamental basis upon which anyone and everyone receives God’s salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Not by one’s own works or will, nor by anyone else’s, but only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified for all our sins and transgressions and then He rose from the dead three days later for our Justification in the sight of God. So that He can now having cleansed us of all our sins and transgressions by His shed blood, now by His Holy Spirit impart in us new and everlasting life the moment we believe in Him (John 3:16; Eph. 1:13-14). Therefore, I urge you believe in and receive the Lord Jesus Christ for yourself. For if you do He will make you a child of God and make you a new creation In Christ! (John 1:12-13; 2 Cor. 5:17).

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 8:26-40

 ²⁶ Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. ²⁷ And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” ²⁹ For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. ³⁰ Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. ³¹ And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. ³² Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. ³³ Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. ³⁴ When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵ Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. ³⁷ Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. ³⁸ Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. ⁴⁰ So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.

Commentary
Vs. 26-27 ²⁶ Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. ²⁷ And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.

Having calmed the sea for, and before His disciples, Jesus now reaches land safely with them in the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And so, it was when Jesus stepped out onto the land and there met Him a man from the city who had demons for a long time. Now this man wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. And so, if the ragging sea was a freighting experience for the disciples, what they now saw when they landed would’ve been no less unsettling. For anyone who has ever encountered an individual/s taken over by demons, you know just how freighting an experience that is.

Vs. 28-29 ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” ²⁹ For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.

Now when the man saw Jesus he cried out, and fell before Him saying with aloud voice, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” This man then though taken over by demons did not lose the capacity to discern the presence of God in his midst, indeed it was likely heightened by the demonic forces who had seized him. And so, his crying out to Jesus this way as the Son of the Most High God strangely would’ve been the first time Jesus’ disciples would’ve heard Him addressed that way. Now this he did because Jesus had already commanded the unclean spirit to come out of him. For Jesus already knew the man’s condition and what it had been doing to him. … “For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.” ^{vs. 29}
For the poor man was only continually being tormented by it, which when it sized him, he would exemplify all kinds of strange behavior which his community in attempts to restrain him, had taken to binding him with chains and shackles, which he would break free of, and then be driven into the wilderness by the demon. Thus he “lived” totally at its control of him, with his communities barricading and isolating him from them on the one hand, or the demon driving him into the wilderness on the other. A horrible existence than for anyone to have.

Vs. 30-31 ³⁰ Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. ³¹ And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.

Jesus now addresses the man by asking him his name, to which he responds Legion, “because many demons had entered him.” Thus, it is not him but they who are speaking to Jesus, and so they begged Jesus that He would not command them to go out into the abyss, leaving them disembodied.

Vs. 32-33 ³² Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. ³³ Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

Now there was there a heard of swine grazing on one of the grassy cliffs that overlook the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Therefore, the demons begged Jesus that they might enter them. Now in the law of Moses swine are unclean animals, thus no Israelite was to eat or have contact with them. Therefore, Jesus grants them their request, and they immediately enter the heard of swine, which causes them to run violently down the steep place where they were into the sea and drown. This spectacular sight then would’ve stunned the disciples, who in hearing and observing these things would now also know that even the fiercest of demonic forces is utterly fearful of and completely subject to Him.

Vs. 34-35 ³⁴ When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵ Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.

Now when those who fed the swine saw what had happened, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country (vs. 34), basically wherever they went they told all whom they encountered of these things. Therefore, the people of that region having heard these things went out to see what had happened. And when they came to Jesus, they found Him with the man whom the demons had departed from, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid (vs. 35). For Jesus with a Word (Matt. 8:32) did in transforming that man’s person and life what they could never do in trying to restrain him with all their chains and shackles.

Vs. 36-40 ³⁶ They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. ³⁷ Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

³⁸ Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ³⁹ “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. ⁴⁰ So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.

Now the men of their region who had observed these things began to tell it to the whole assembled crowd from the surrounding region of the Gadarenes how these things occurred. However rather than rejoicing in the Son of God who had showed such mercies to the man, their fear only intensified and they asked (i.e. begged, Matt. 8:34) Jesus to depart from their region. Making them they only people in the Gospel to beg Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of all mankind to depart from them, which is a potential response that certain people will have to Jesus, because not all people will want him as their own Lord and Savior (consider 2 Cor 2:14-17). And so, with that Jesus got into the boat and returned. However, before Jesus departs back to Galilee, the man whom Jesus had cast the demons out of, begs Him that he might be with Him (vs. 38). However, Jesus will send him away, but not as rejection of his person, but rather on a mission, to tell the world about Him, saying to him, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” ^{vs. 39} And with the man goes his way and proclaims throughout the whole city just what Jesus has done for him. For everyone who has experienced the mercies of God through Jesus Christ will also want to tell the world about Him, and so that is just what that man did. Boldly, freely, and completely, because he had been liberated from the chains and shackles of sin and Satan and man that once held him. Therefore, that man whom his community had written off, had a new Godly purpose which he was now passionately pursuing. And so, it was when that man departed on his mission, Jesus returned to the other side of the Sea of Galilee where there was a multitude of people waiting there for Him who welcomed Him when He arrived (vs. 40).

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 8:22–25

²² Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. ²³ But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. ²⁴ And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵ But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

Commentary
Jesus being alone with His disciples, having left the multitudes, now desires to cross over the lake (i.e. the Sea of Galilee), and so entering into a boat (likely a small fishing vessel) they take their leave of that region and head out (vs. 22). Now as they were sailing across the lake Jesus fell asleep. Which may be indicating that this was night crossing? No matter whether night or day, as they were sailing across it, a windstorm came down upon the lake (from the hills and cliffs that surround it) and began to violently turned up and toss its waters, so much so that they began to fill with water, and thus fearing for their safety the disciples turned to the Lord and awoke Him saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” (vs. 23) Now when they did so Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they ceased and there was calm (vs. 24). Having done so, Jesus now says to them, “Where is your faith?” Which is a very valid question that Jesus also asks us when we too have to face those situations or circumstances or forces or even individuals that are far greater than us, and thus arose all manner of fears inside of us. Because as Jesus demonstrates time and again, He alone has Sovereignty over all of creation, and thus command over all of the forces and powers in it. There is then nothing in heaven or on earth that we are to fear as being able to separate us from Him (Rom. 8:31-39). Therefore, having seen how Jesus immediately saved them from seemingly perishing, the disciples are now afraid (but not with the fear with which they had when the storm arose) but with an awe fear of the Lord for what had just transpired. And so, they begin saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” (vs. 25). Thus, in first allowing the storm, and then delivering the disciples (who were all acquainted with the risks of the Sea) Jesus is revealing to them His command over all forces and all powers in creation. So that they might see Him as someone who is more than just preacher or teacher whom they were following, but as He is, the Son of Man/the Son of God who exercises God’s Sovereignty over everything. Therefore, we too can have full confidence in Him to face anyone or anything, no matter how fierce, how strong, how overwhelming, our Lord and Savior and King Jesus Christ is far greater, stronger, and fiercer than all (consider Job 41, vs. 10-11). Therefore, have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and He will save you out of all of your troubles (Job 5:15; 40:9-41:11; Psalm 7:10; 20:6; 34:6; 17-19; 91:3; 71:20; 124:7; 107 etc.).

Scripture Quotations

New King James Version (1982): Thomas Nelson

Luke 8:19–21

¹⁹ Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd. ²⁰ And it was told Him by some, who said, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.” ²¹ But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.”

Commentary
Having declared the seriousness in which we all are to receive the Word of God with. Jesus is now told by a certain individual in the crowd that His mother and brothers are seeking to see Him, to which Jesus responds by saying: “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” Jesus then clearly reveals that family ties in the Kingdom of God only go as deep as one hears and does the Word of God, thus, believing in and obeying Him is the mark of our true family (consider Matt. 10:34-42). 

Scripture Quotations
New King James Version (1982): Thomas Nelson