Matthew Poole's Commentary 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, Luke 8:1-3 Christ preacheth through the cities, attended by his disciples,and ministered unto by devout women of their substance. Luke 8:4-8 The parable of the sower. Luke 8:9,10 Why Christ taught in parables. Luke 8:11-15 The parable expounded. Luke 8:16-18 Light is given to be improved and communicated. Luke 8:19-21 Christ showeth whom he regardeth as his nearest relations, Luke 8:22-25 stilleth a tempest on the sea with his word, Luke 8:26-40 casteth out the legion of devils, and suffereth them to enter into the herd of swine; is entreated by the Gadarcades to depart, and refuseth the attendance of him whom he had healed, Luke 8:41,42 is besought by Jairus to go and heal his daughter. Luke 8:43-48 By the way he healeth a woman of an inveterate issue of blood. Luke 8:49-56 He raiseth Jairus’s daughter to life. Ver. 1-3. Still I cannot but observe, that preaching the gospel, and thereby showing the glad tidings of salvation, (the principal means to bring men to the kingdom of God, whether that in this life, or the kingdom of glory in the life which is to come), was Christ’s great work. His working miracles was but subservient to this, and for the confirmation of the doctrine which he preached; hence, when a people showed a contempt of his word, he refused to work any miracles before them. How any one can dream, that either praying, or government, or administering sacraments, or any thing else, should be more the work of a minister of Christ than preaching, may justly amaze any thinking soul that ever read the gospel. Christ went every where about preaching, and the twelve were with him, sometimes hearing, (as his disciples), sometimes preaching; some women also were with him, such as had been healed of evil spirits and other diseases. Mary Magdalene was one, out of whom he had cast seven devils, that is, many devils. Most think she had her name from Magdala, a city in Galilee, where she was bred, or dwelt. It is a great error to think she was the Mary mentioned John 11:1-57, the sister of Lazarus; she lived in Bethany, near to Jerusalem. Yet it is plain from Mark 16:1-20 that she was at Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s death and resurrection; but so were many that followed him from Galilee, Mark 15:41 Luke 23:49. And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward. Christ hath his elect in all places, his Joseph in Pharaoh’s court, his Daniel and three children in Nebuchadnezzar’s court, his saints in Nero’s household, Philippians 4:22, his Joanna in Herod’s family. This was that Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, he who put John the Baptist to death, and himself with his soldiers mocked Christ; possibly his steward was as bad, but his wife was one that followed Christ, knowing that though her husband had power over her body, he had none over her soul. And they ministered to him of their substance. They were not ashamed to be seen following of Christ, though doubtless they met with scoffs enough. Nor were they ashamed to be reproached for their former failing; nor was Christ, because of their former lives, or the life of some of them, to have them following him. It is a glory to Christ, and to the church of Christ, to have great sinners brought to him, and brought into it; the only shame is to such as, being in the church, or pretending at least to be Christians, are debauchees still. Christ did not give himself for a people that were pure and holy, without spot or wrinkle, but that he might sanctify them and cleanse them, with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:25-27. Following Christ they ministered to him. This was according to Christ’s doctrine, Matthew 10:10, and his apostles after him, 1 Corinthians 9:11 2 Corinthians 8:9 Galatians 6:6. Some of them might be virgins, some widows, some wives, who had an allowance for themselves from their husbands; however, it could be no robbery to give of what was their husbands’ to him who was the Lord of all, which either their husbands or they possessed. Nor was Christ ashamed to live upon the baskets of others, while he was providing spiritual food for the souls of all, 2 Corinthians 8:9. And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, See Poole on "Luke 8:1" And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. See Poole on "Luke 8:3" And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: Ver. 4-15. We have had this parable, See Poole on "Matthew 13:1", See Poole on "Mark 4:1". See the notes on both these chapters. 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:4" And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. See Poole on "Luke 8:4" And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. Ver. 7 See Poole on "Luke 8:4" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:4" And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? See Poole on "Luke 8:4" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:4" Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. See Poole on "Luke 8:4" 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. Ver. 12 See Poole on "Luke 8:4" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:4" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:4" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:4" 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. See Poole on "Matthew 5:15", See Poole on "Mark 4:21". For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. This we have also met with twice before. See Poole on "Matthew 5:15", See Poole on "Mark 4:22". 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. See Poole on "Mark 4:24", See Poole on "Matthew 13:12", See Poole on "Matthew 25:29". Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. Ver. 19-21. See Poole on "Matthew 12:46", and following verses to Matthew 12:50. See Poole on "Mark 3:31" and following verses to Mark 3:35. And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. See Poole on "Luke 8:19" And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. See Poole on "Luke 8:20" Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. Ver. 22-25. This whole history we have also before met with, both in Matthew 8:23-27, and Mark 4:35-41. See Poole on "Matthew 8:23", and following verses to Matthew 8:27, also See Poole on "Mark 4:35", and following verses to Mark 4:41. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. See Poole on "Luke 8:22" And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. See Poole on "Luke 8:22" And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. See Poole on "Luke 8:22" And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. Ver. 26-40. We have had this whole story Matthew 8:28-34, and Mark 5:1-21. See Poole on "Matthew 8:28", and following verses to Matthew 8:34, and See Poole on "Mark 5:1" and following verses to Mark 5:21. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) See Poole on "Luke 8:26" And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, See Poole on "Luke 8:26" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. See Poole on "Luke 8:26" 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: Ver. 41-56. We had both these pieces of history twice before related, by Matthew, Matthew 9:18-26, and by Mark, Mark 5:22-43, with some further circumstances. See Poole on "Matthew 9:18", and following verses to Matthew 9:26 also See Poole on "Mark 5:22", and following verses to Mark 5:43. Christ’s saying, Luke 8:45, Who touched me? and again, Luke 8:46, Somebody hath touched me; for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me; doth not argue that Christ knew not of the woman’s coming and touching him, or did not voluntarily send out that virtue that healed her; far be any such thoughts from any pious, intelligent souls: she was not healed by her touch of the border of his garment, but by his powerful will, commanding such a miraculous effect: he only spake this to bring forth the miracle into light, which was wrought secretly, so as the people took no notice of it. Healing virtue went out of Christ upon an act of his will, not necessarily. From Luke 8:55 is confuted the atheism of those who would make the soul to be merely the crasis, or some affection of the body; and it is proved to be a being that can subsist of itself, in a state of separation from the body. It is said, her spirit came again; not, Christ gave her a new spirit. Christ did not here exert a creating power; only sent forth that power with which he was clothed to raise the dead. For other things observable from this story, see the notes before mentioned upon the parallel texts. Ver. 41-56. We had both these pieces of history twice before related, by Matthew, Matthew 9:18-26, and by Mark, Mark 5:22-43, with some further circumstances. See Poole on "Matthew 9:18", and following verses to Matthew 9:26 also See Poole on "Mark 5:22", and following verses to Mark 5:43. Christ’s saying, Luke 8:45, Who touched me? and again, Luke 8:46, Somebody hath touched me; for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me; doth not argue that Christ knew not of the woman’s coming and touching him, or did not voluntarily send out that virtue that healed her; far be any such thoughts from any pious, intelligent souls: she was not healed by her touch of the border of his garment, but by his powerful will, commanding such a miraculous effect: he only spake this to bring forth the miracle into light, which was wrought secretly, so as the people took no notice of it. Healing virtue went out of Christ upon an act of his will, not necessarily. From Luke 8:55 is confuted the atheism of those who would make the soul to be merely the crasis, or some affection of the body; and it is proved to be a being that can subsist of itself, in a state of separation from the body. It is said, her spirit came again; not, Christ gave her a new spirit. Christ did not here exert a creating power; only sent forth that power with which he was clothed to raise the dead. For other things observable from this story, see the notes before mentioned upon the parallel texts. For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, See Poole on "Luke 8:41" Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" 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? Ver. 45. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" 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. Ver. 47. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" 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. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done. See Poole on "Luke 8:41" |
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