Luke
8:1-21
Lesson 121
8:1-21
Lesson 121
Luke 8:1-21
Two parables 1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. 4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. 19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. 20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. |
Margin notes:
"He went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings." (8:1) - Mean's, Jesus traveled "throughout every city and village" of Galilee (Matthew 4:23), announcing the good news of salvation. "Mary Magdalene." (8:2) - From the village of Magdala, she is one of seven Mary's mentioned in the New Testament. After Jesus freed her from seven demons (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2), Mary became a devoted follower who traveled with Jesus and His group. She made the final trip to Jerusalem and was there at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:55; Mark 15:40; John 19:25). When others fled, Mary bravely stood vigil beside the cross until Jesus died (Luke 23:46-49). Mary was still on Calvary when Jesus was taken off the cross and buried (Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55). Three days later, with Salome and Mary (the mother of James), she went to anoint Jesus' body and found the grave empty. Mary Magdalene was among the first to hear that Jesus had been resurrected (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8) and the first to see Him after He had arisen (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-16). "Joanna." (8:3) - Well connected, Joanna was the wife of Chuza, one of Herod's stewards (Luke 8:3), who ran the royal palace. After being miraculously healed by Jesus (Luke 8:2), she became a devoted supporter of the Messiah. She was one of the first to learn of the empty tomb of the resurrected Christ (Luke 24:10). "Susanna." (8:3) - A familiar name in Biblical times. Not much is known about her other than she was the beneficiary of one of Jesus' miracles (Luke 8:2-3) and became a follower and supporter. "Which ministered unto him of their substance." (8:3) - "Who helped Him with their own resources." "Unto you it is given to know." (8:10) - This means, the knowledge of God's kingdom will be given to the disciples. "But to the others in parables." (8:10) - But everyone else will be told in parables. "Seeing they might not see..." (8:10) - Quoted from Isaiah 6:9 written seven hundred years before the crucifixion. "Believe and be saved." (8:12) - Jesus is proclaiming that it is faith that saves us. "To perfection." (8:14) - "To maturity." "With patience." (8:15) - Means "With perseverance." "Nothing is secret." (8:17) - This refers to "the mysteries of the kingdom of God" (8:10). All God's truth will be revealed in due time (Luke 12:2-3; 1 Corinthians 4:5). "Made manifest." (8:17) - Means, "Revealed." "Be known and come abroad." (8:17) - "Be made known and come to light." "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given." (8:18) - Means, whoever has faith will be given more spiritual wisdom. A version of this message appears in Proverbs 9:9. Jesus repeats it in Matthew 13:12, 25:29, and again in Mark 4:25. "Even that which he seemeth to have." (8:18) - "Even that which he thinks he has." "Could not come at him for the press." (8:19) - "Could not reach Him because of the crowd." "Thy mother and thy brethren stand without." (8:20) - "Your mother and brothers are standing outside." "My brethren are these which hear the word of God." (8:21) - Jesus' family is anyone who believes in Him. Since family (blood) ties were important in Jewish society, these words would have surprised the disciples. But to Jesus, a spiritual relationship is higher than carnal relationships. |