Luke 8 - Introduction
CHAPTER 8. THE SOWER AND OTHER INCIDENTS.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 8. THE SOWER AND OTHER INCIDENTS.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐν τῷ καθεξῆς, “afterwards,” A. V [79], not necessarily “soon afterwards,” R. V [80] (= ἐν τῷ ἑξῆς, Luke 7:11). The temporal connection with the preceding narrative is loose, but the connection of thought and sentiment is close. Lk. would show how penitent, suffering, sorrowful women who had receive... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ministering women_; peculiar to Lk., and one of the interesting fruits of his industrious search for additional _memorabilia_ of Jesus, giving us a glimpse into the way in which Jesus and His disciples were supported.... [ Continue Reading ]
Μαρία ἡ κ. Μαγδαληνή, Mary called the Magdalene, the only one of the three named who is more than a name for readers of the Gospel; since the fourth century, identified with the sinful woman of the previous chapter, the seven demons from which she is said to have been delivered being supposed to ref... [ Continue Reading ]
ὄχλου : Lk., like the two other evangelists, provides for the parable discourse a large audience, but he makes no mention of preaching from a boat, which has been forestalled in a previous incident (chap. Luke 5:3). καὶ τῶν κατὰ πόλιν, etc.: this clause simply explains how the crowd was made up, by... [ Continue Reading ]
_Parable of the sower_ (Matthew 13:1-9; Mark 4:1-9).... [ Continue Reading ]
τὸν σπόρον α.: an editorial addition, that could be dispensed with. ὃ μὲν, one part, ὃ neuter, replied to by καὶ ἕτερον = ἕτερον δὲ in Luke 8:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
φυὲν, 2nd aorist participle, neuter, from ἐφύην (Alex. form), the Attic 2nd aorist being ἔφυν. ἰκμάδα (ἰκμάς), moisture, here only in N. T.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐν μέσῳ τ. ἀ.: Mt. has ἐπὶ, Mk. εἰς. Lk.'s expression suggests that the thorns are already above ground.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἑκατονταπλασίονα, an hundredfold. Lk. has only one degree of fruitfulness, the highest, possibly because when 100 is possible 60 and 30 were deemed unsatisfactory, but an important lesson is missed by the omission. The version in Mt. and Mk. is doubtless the original. It was characteristic of Jesus,... [ Continue Reading ]
τίς εἴη, what this parable might be. The question in Lk. refers not to the parabolic method, as if they had never heard a parable before, but to the sense or aim of this particular parable. It simply prepares for the interpretation following.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Conversation concerning the parable_ (Matthew 13:10-17; Mark 4:10-12).... [ Continue Reading ]
The contrast between the disciples and others, as here put, is that in the case of the former the mysteries of the kingdom are given to be _known_, in that of the latter the mysteries are given, but only in _parables_, therefore so as to remain unknown. The sense is the same in Mt. and Mk., but the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Interpretation of the parable_ (Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:13-20).... [ Continue Reading ]
οἱ ἀκούσαντες : this is not a sufficient definition of the wayside hearers; all the classes described heard. The next clause, beginning with εἰτα, must be included in the definition = the wayside men are persons in whose case, so soon as they have heard, cometh, etc. ὁ διάβολος : each gospel has a d... [ Continue Reading ]
μετὰ χαρᾶς : common to the three reports, a familiar and important feature of this type emotional religion. πρὸς καιρὸν πιστεύουσι, believe for a season, instead of Mt.'s and Mk.'s, he (they) is (are) temporary. ἐν καιρῷ πειρασμοῦ : a more comprehensive expression than that common to Mt. and Mk., wh... [ Continue Reading ]
τὸ δὲ. There is a change here from the plural masculine to the neuter singular: from “those who” to “that which”. πορευόμενοι : the use of this word, which seems superfluous (Grotius), is probably due to Lk. having under his eye Mk.'s account, in which εἰσπορευόμεναι comes in at this point. Kypke re... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐν καρδίᾳ καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ, in a noble and generous heart, an important contribution by Lk. to the explanation of the conditions of fruitfulness. The former epithet points to a lofty aim or ideal, the latter to enthusiastic whole-hearted devotion to the ideal, the two constituting a heroic character.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἅψας : Mt. has καίουσιν. ἅπτειν is the more classical word. σκεύει : any hollow vessel instead of the more definite but less familiar μόδιον in Mt. and Mk. κλίνης, bed or couch, as in Mt. and Mk. Nobody puts the lamp under a vessel or a couch, _as a rule_; it may be done occasionally when the light,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Those who have light must let it shine_ (Matthew 5:15; Matthew 10:26; Mark 4:21-25). Lk. here seems to follow Mk., who brings in at the same point the parable of the lamp, setting forth the duty of those who are initiated into the mysteries of the kingdom to diffuse their light. A most important co... [ Continue Reading ]
γενήσεται : predictive = nothing hidden which shall not some day be revealed. γνωσθῇ, ἔλθη ([81] [82] [83]), the fut. ind. passes into aor. subj., with οὐ μὴ for οὐ = nothing hidden which is not bound to become known (Meyer). [81] Codex Sinaiticus (sæc. iv.), now at St. Petersburg, published in fac... [ Continue Reading ]
enforces the duty thence arising, to be careful hearers; hearing so as really to know; shortcoming here will disqualify for giving light. Jesus has inculcated the duty of _placing_ the light so that it may illuminate; He now inculcates the prior duty of _being_ lights. ὃ δοκεῖ ἔχειν : the δοκεῖ may... [ Continue Reading ]
διὰ τὸν ὄχλον : a crowd seems unsuitable here (though not in Mt. and Mk.), for just before, Jesus has been conversing with His disciples in private.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mother and brethren_ (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35). Given in a different connection from that in Mt. and Mk. The connection here seems purely topical: the visit of the friends of Jesus gives Him occasion to indicate who are they who represent the good, fruitful soil (Luke 8:21).... [ Continue Reading ]
Lk. omits the graphic touches looking around, and stretching out His hands towards His disciples, concerned only to report the memorable word. οἱ τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, those hearing and doing _the word of God_. The expression here is somewhat conventional and secondary as compared with Mt. and Mk. _Cf... [ Continue Reading ]
τῆς λίμνης : no need for this addition in Mk., or even in Mt., where Jesus is represented as in _Capernaum_. Lk. does not tell us where Jesus was at the time.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The tempest on the lake_ (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41). The voyage across the lake took place, according to Mk., on the day of the parables; it was an _escape_ from the crowd, a very real and credible account. The whole situation in Lk. is different: no preaching from a boat, no escape when the p... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀφύπνωσε, went off to sleep, fatigued with heat and speaking; the storm implies sultry conditions; ἀφυπνοῦν means both to awake = ἀφυπνίζειν, and to go to sleep = καθυπνοῦν; _vide_ Lobeck, _ad Phryn._, p. 224. κατέβη, came down, from the hills. συνεπληροῦντο, they (_i.e._, the boat) were getting ful... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐπιστάτα : Lk.'s word for master, answering to διδάσκαλε, Mk., and κύριε, Mt. τῷ κλύδωνι τοῦ ὕδατος, the surge of the water.... [ Continue Reading ]
ποῦ, etc., where is your faith? a mild rebuke compared with Mt. and Mk. Note: _Lk. ever spares the Twelve_.... [ Continue Reading ]
κατέπλευσαν εἰς τὴν χώραν, “they sailed down from the deep sea to the land, put in,” Grimm; _appulerunt ad regionem_, Raphel, who gives numerous examples of the use of this verb (here only in N. T.) in Greek authors. τ. Γερασηνῶν, the Gerasenes, inhabitants of the town of Gerasa (Kersa, Thomson, _La... [ Continue Reading ]
_The demoniac of Gerasa_ (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20).... [ Continue Reading ]
ὀνὴρ ἐκ τῆς πόλεως, a man of, or from, the city; he did not come out of the city to meet Jesus. ἔχων δαιμ., having demons, a _plurality_ with reference to Luke 8:30. οὐκ ἐνεδύσατο, etc.: the description begun here is completed in Luke 8:29. Mk. gives it all at once (Luke 5:2-5). Lk. seems to follow... [ Continue Reading ]
παρήγγελλεν γὰρ : the command caused the cry of fear, and the fear is explained in the clause following, introduced by a second γὰρ. πολλοῖς χρόνοις, answers to πολλάκις in Mark 5:4, therefore presumably used in the sense: oftentimes, frequently. So Erasmus and Grotius, and most recent commentators.... [ Continue Reading ]
ὅτι εἰσῆλθεν, etc.: Lk. gives this explanation of the name _Legion_; in Mk. the demoniac gives it.... [ Continue Reading ]
εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον, into the abyss (of Tartarus) instead of Mk.'s ἔξω τῆς χώρας, out of Decapolis.... [ Continue Reading ]
χοίρ. ἱκανῶν : for a large number, often in Lk.; his equivalent for Mk.'s 2000.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sequel_. Lk. tells the second part of the story very much as it is given in Mk., with slight stylistic variations. In Luke 8:36 he substitutes the expression πῶς ἐσώθη ὁ δαιμονισθείς, how the demoniac was saved, for Mk.'s “how it happened to the demoniac, and concerning the swine,” suggesting t... [ Continue Reading ]
Lk. is very careful to involve the whole population in the request that Jesus would leave the country the whole multitude of the district of Gerasa, town and country, citizens and farmers. And he gives as the reason, ὅτι φόβῳ μεγάλῳ συνείχοντο, they were possessed with a great fear, panic-stricken.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐδέετο, Ionic form of the imperfect of δέομαι. W. and H [86] prefer ἐδεῖτο, the reading of [87] [88]. The healed man's request, though not granted, would gratify Jesus, as a contrast to the unanimous petition of the Gerasenes that He would leave the place. [86] Westcott and Hort. [87] Codex Vatica... [ Continue Reading ]
ὑπόστρεφε : it was good for the man that he should return to his home and people, and tell them what had befallen him through the mercy of God (ὅσα ἐποίησεν ὁ Θεός). It was good for the people also. They needed a missionary greatly. καθʼ ὅλην τὴν πόλιν, over the whole city. Mk. says in Decapolis.... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the western side_ (Mark 5:21). Lk. still follows Mk. closely, mentioning the cordial welcome given Jesus on His arrival on the Galilean shore, and proceeding to narrate the incidents of the woman with a flux, and Jairus' daughter. ὁ ὄχλος, the crowd. This crowd is unexplained by Lk., who says no... [ Continue Reading ]
_The story of Jairus' daughter begins_ (Matthew 9:18-19; Mark 5:21-24). ἄρχων τῆς συναγωγῆς instead of ἀρχισυνάγωγος (Mk.), as more intelligible to Gentile readers. But after having explained its meaning by the use of this phrase he employs the other in Luke 8:49.... [ Continue Reading ]
μονογενὴς (as in Luke 7:12): peculiar to Lk. The name of the father, his rank, and the girl's age (all lacking in Mt.) Lk. has in common with Mk. This feature he adds after his wont to enhance the benevolence of Jesus. ἀπέθνησκεν, was dying. Mk.'s phrase, ἐσχάτως ἔχει, is avoided as not good Greek.... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀπὸ : indicating the _terminus a quo._ Mk. uses the accusative of duration. προσαναλώσασα (here only in N. T.), having expended in addition: to loss of health was added loss of means in the effort to gain it back. βίον, means of life, as in Luke 15:12; Luke 15:30; Luke 21:4. οὐκ ἴσχυσεν, etc., was n... [ Continue Reading ]
_The woman with an issue_ (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34).... [ Continue Reading ]
κρασπέδου, the tassel hanging over the shoulder; this feature not in Mk., a curious omission in so graphic a writer. παραχρῆμα : Lk.'s equivalent for εὐθὺς. ἔστη, the flow of blood (ῥύσις) stopped. ἱστάναι, the technical term for this experience.... [ Continue Reading ]
ὁ Πέτρος : Mk. says “the disciples,” but one would speak for the rest, and Lk. naturally makes Peter the spokesman. συνέχουσί σε, hem thee in. ἀποθλίβουσιν, squeeze, _like grapes_ (Joseph., _Ant._, ii., Luke 8:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
ἐγὼ ἔγνων : Lk. puts into the mouth of Jesus what in Mk. is a remark of the narrator. _Vide_ notes on this incident in Mt. and Mk.... [ Continue Reading ]
τις : one messenger, several in Mk.; one enough for the purpose. παρὰ τ. ἀρχ., from the ruler = belonging to his house. _Vide_ Mark 3:21 : οἱ παρʼ αὐτοῦ. Mk. has ἀπὸ here.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Previous narrative resumed_ (Matthew 9:23-26; Mark 5:35-43).... [ Continue Reading ]
ἀκούσας : Mk. has παρακούσας, the message being spoken not to Jesus but to Jairus: He overheard it. μόνον πίστευσον, etc., only _believe_ and she shall be _saved_ Paulinism in the physical sphere.... [ Continue Reading ]
in [89] and other MSS. the usual order of the three disciples Peter, James, John is changed into Peter, John, James. [89] Codex Vaticanus (sæc. iv.), published in photographic facsimile in 1889 under the care of the Abbate Cozza-Luzi.... [ Continue Reading ]
εἰδότες ὅτι ἀπέθανεν : Lk. is careful to add this remark to exclude the idea that it was not a case of real death; his aim here, as always, to magnify the _power_ as well as the benevolence of Jesus.... [ Continue Reading ]
τὸ πνεῦμα, her _spirit_ returned = ψυχὴ in Acts 20:10. φαγεῖν : the order to give the resuscitated child food is not peculiar to Lk., but he places it in a more prominent position than Mk. to show that as she had been really dead she was now really alive and well; needing food and able to take it. G... [ Continue Reading ]