◄ Luke 8:10 ►
He replied, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'
Study Bible
He replied,

Jesus answered the disciples’ question about why He taught the crowds in parables. His response distinguished the disciples, who had drawn near to hear and follow Him, from many in the surrounding crowds who heard His words without receiving Him in faith.

Mat 13:10-11 Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked,…
Mrk 4:10-11 As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve…

“The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you,

God graciously granted the disciples insight into truths formerly hidden in His redemptive plan. The kingdom of God had come near in the person and ministry of Jesus, the promised Messiah, yet its present spiritual reality and future fulfillment required divine revelation. Human wisdom cannot uncover God’s saving purposes apart from His Word and the work of His Spirit.

1Co 2:7-10 No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God…
Eph 3:3-5 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation…
Col 1:26-27 the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations…

but to others I speak in parables,

Jesus used familiar scenes from farming, households, work, and daily life to declare the realities of God’s kingdom. Parables made truth memorable and called hearers to respond, but they also exposed the heart. Those who desired God would seek understanding, while those hardened against Jesus would remain in darkness despite hearing His teaching.

Mat 13:34-35 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables.…
Mrk 4:33-34 With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them,…
Psa 78:2 I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden…

so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

Jesus (Yahweh saves) applied Isaiah’s (Yahweh is salvation) message concerning Israel’s spiritual blindness to those who rejected God’s revelation. Their inability to understand was not caused by a lack of evidence but by resistant hearts. Parables therefore brought mercy to receptive hearers and judgment upon those who persistently refused the light God had given..

Isa 6:9-10 And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing,…
Jhn 12:39-40 For this reason they were unable to believe.…
Act 28:26-27 Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing…”…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples and explaining the purpose of His parables.

2. The Disciples
The immediate audience to whom Jesus is speaking, representing those who are given insight into the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

3. The Kingdom of God
A central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing God's sovereign rule and the spiritual realm where His will is fulfilled.

4. Parables
A teaching method used by Jesus, employing simple accounts to convey deeper spiritual truths.

5. The Others
Refers to the broader audience who hear Jesus' parables but do not understand the deeper meanings, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah.
Teaching Points
Understanding the Mysteries
Believers are granted insight into the mysteries of God's kingdom through faith and the Holy Spirit. This understanding is a gift and should be cherished and nurtured.

Purpose of Parables
Parables serve to reveal truth to those open to receiving it while concealing it from those who are spiritually blind. This dual purpose challenges us to seek deeper understanding and openness to God's word.

Spiritual Perception
Spiritual perception is not merely about physical hearing or seeing but involves a heart open to God's truth. We must pray for discernment and a receptive heart.

Responsibility of Revelation
With the gift of understanding comes the responsibility to live out and share the truths of the kingdom. We are called to be stewards of the mysteries revealed to us.

Prophetic Fulfillment
Jesus' use of parables fulfills prophecy, demonstrating the continuity and reliability of God's word. This should strengthen our faith in the Scriptures.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of "mysteries of the kingdom of God" challenge or encourage your current understanding of God's work in the world?

2. In what ways can you cultivate a heart that is open to understanding the deeper truths of God's word?

3. How do the parables of Jesus serve as both a revelation and a challenge to your faith journey?

4. Reflect on a time when a spiritual truth was revealed to you. How did it change your perspective or actions?

5. How can you actively share the insights and understanding you have received with others in your community or church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 6:9-10
This Old Testament prophecy is directly quoted by Jesus, highlighting the spiritual blindness and deafness of the people.

Matthew 13:11-15
A parallel passage where Jesus explains the purpose of parables, emphasizing the distinction between those who are given understanding and those who are not.

1 Corinthians 2:7-10
Paul speaks of the wisdom of God as a mystery revealed to believers through the Spirit, aligning with the concept of divine revelation.

Mark 4:11-12
Another account of Jesus explaining the purpose of parables, reinforcing the idea of selective revelation.
Sermons
A Right Attitude Essential to Perceiving God's TruthsChristian AgeLuke 8:10
The Mysteries of the KingdomR. Halley, D. D.Luke 8:10
The Mysteries of the Kingdom of HeavenG. Macdonald, LL. D.Luke 8:10
Incidents in Evangelistic WorkR.M. Edga Luke 8:1-21
Christ's Classification of Human HeartsR. Rothe, D. D.Luke 8:4-15
Parable of the SowerJ. Jowett, M. A.Luke 8:4-15
Parable of the SowerJ. Thomson, D. D.Luke 8:4-15
Parable of the SowerW. Borrows, M. A.Luke 8:4-15
Parable of the SowerT. E. Marshall, M. A.Luke 8:4-15
Plentiful SowingW. O. Lilley.Luke 8:4-15
Preachers and HearersW. Burrows, B. A.Luke 8:4-15
The Divine Sower and His SeedC. S. Turner, M. A.Luke 8:4-15
The First ParableThomas Guthrie, D. D.Luke 8:4-15
The Four FieldsH. J. Wilmot-Buxton, M. A.Luke 8:4-15
The Parable of the SowerCanon G. E. JelftLuke 8:4-15
The SeedRobert Wilson, M. D.Luke 8:4-15
The Sower Sowing His SeedThomas Taylor, D. D.Luke 8:4-15
The Sower; Or, the Origin and Authority of the GospelE. N. Kirk, D. D.Luke 8:4-15
The Word of God as SeedH. Macmillan, D. D.Luke 8:4-15
People
Chuza, Herod, Jair, Jairus, James, Jesus, Joanna, John, Mary, Peter, Susanna
Places
Galilee, Gerasa
Topics
Clear, Granted, Hearing, Kingdom, Mysteries, Order, Parables, Reign, Replied, Rest, Secrets, Seeing, Sense, Similes, Speak, Stories, Taught, That'seeing, Though, Understand, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 8:10

     1403   God, revelation
     1445   revelation, responses
     2333   Christ, attitude to OT
     2366   Christ, prophecies concerning
     5135   blindness, spiritual
     5147   deafness
     5441   philosophy
     5941   secrecy
     6694   mystery
     7712   convincing
     8351   teachableness
     8355   understanding

Luke 8:4-12

     4121   Satan, enemy of God

Luke 8:4-15

     2345   Christ, kingdom of
     4506   seed

Luke 8:5-15

     5438   parables

Luke 8:8-15

     5159   hearing

Luke 8:9-10

     2426   gospel, responses
     8844   unforgiveness

Luke 8:9-15

     8319   perception, spiritual

Library
June 28 Evening
The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits.--I TIM. 4:1. Take heed therefore how ye hear.--Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.--Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

November 24 Morning
My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.--LUKE 8:21. Both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren: saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.--In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.--Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.--Blessed are they …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

Seed among Thorns
'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.'--Luke viii. 14. No sensible sower would cast his seed among growing thorn-bushes, and we must necessarily understand that the description in this verse is not meant to give us the picture of a field in which these were actually growing, but rather of one in which they had been grubbed up, and so preparation been made …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Christ to Jairus
'When Jesus heard it, He answered, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.' --LUKE viii. 60. The calm leisureliness of conscious power shines out very brilliantly from this story of the raising of Jairus's daughter. The father had come to Jesus, in an agony of impatience, and besought Him to heal his child, who lay 'at the point of death.' Not a moment was to be lost. Our Lord sets out with him, but on the road pauses to attend to another sufferer, the woman who laid her wasted …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Ministry of Women
'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.' --LUKE viii. 2,3. The Evangelist Luke has preserved for us several incidents in our Lord's life in which women play a prominent part. It would not, I think, be difficult to bring that fact into connection with the main characteristics of his Gospel, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

One Seed and Diverse Soils
'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 wayside; 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 …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

A Miracle Within a Miracle
'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 …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Sower and the Seed.
"A sower went out to sow his seed."--ST. LUKE viii. 5. It is significant that the first of the Saviour's parables is the parable of the sower, that the first thing to which He likens His own work is that of the sower of seed, the first lesson He has to impress upon us by any kind of comparison is that the word of God is a seed sown in our hearts, a something which contains in it the germ of a new life. It is no less significant that He returns so often to this same kind of comparison for the purpose …
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

Our Relations to the Departed
"She is not dead, but sleepeth." Luke viii.52 A Great peculiarity of the Christian religion is its transforming or transmuting power. I speak not now of the regeneration which accomplishes in the individual soul, but of the change it works upon things without. It applies the touchstone to every fact of existence, and exposes its real value. Looking through the lens of spiritual observation, it throws the realities of life into a reverse perspective from that which is seen by the sensual eye. Objects …
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

Further Journeying About Galilee.
^C Luke VIII. 1-3. ^c 1 And it came to pass soon afterwards [ i. e.,. soon after his visit to the Pharisee], that he went about through cities and villages [thus making a thorough circuit of the region of Galilee], preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God [John had preached repentance as a preparation for the kingdom; but Jesus now appears to have preached the kingdom itself, which was indeed to bring good tidings--Rom. xiv. 17 ], and with him the twelve [We here get a glimpse …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Ministry of Love, the Blasphemy of Hatred, and the Mistakes of Earthly Affection - the Return to Capernaum - Healing of the Demonised Dumb -
HOWEVER interesting and important to follow the steps of our Lord on His journey through Galilee, and to group in their order the notices of it in the Gospels, the task seems almost hopeless. In truth, since none of the Evangelists attempted - should we not say, ventured - to write a Life' of the Christ, any strictly historical arrangement lay outside their purpose. Their point of view was that of the internal, rather than the external development of this history. And so events, kindred in purpose, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

There are Some Things of this Sort Even of Our Saviour in the Gospel...
27. There are some things of this sort even of our Saviour in the Gospel, because the Lord of the Prophets deigned to be Himself also a Prophet. Such are those where, concerning the woman which had an issue of blood, He said, "Who touched Me?" [2431] and of Lazarus. "Where have ye laid him?" [2432] He asked, namely, as if not knowing that which in any wise He knew. And He did on this account feign that He knew not, that He might signify somewhat else by that His seeming ignorance: and since this …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

The Right to what I Consider a Normal Standard of Living
"Have we no right to eat and to drink?"--I Corinthians 9:4 The white-haired mission secretary looked at me quizzically. "Well," he said, "it's all in your point of view. We find that these days in the tropics people may look upon the missionary's American refrigerator as a normal and necessary thing; but the cheap print curtains hanging at his windows may be to them unjustifiable extravagance!" * * * * * My mind goes back to a simple missionary home in China, with a cheap …
Mabel Williamson—Have We No Rights?

In Troubles --
The king had before this time noticed a spot of immense military importance on the Seine between Rouen and Paris, the rock of Andelys. Indeed he had once tossed three Frenchmen from the rock. It was, or might be, the key to Normandy on the French side, and he feared lest Philip should seize upon it and use it against him. Consequently he pounced upon it, and began to fortify it at lavish expense. Archbishop Walter of Rouen, and late of Lincoln, in whose ecclesiastical patrimony it lay, was furious, …
Charles L. Marson—Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln

Faith a New and Comprehensive Sense.
…
John Newton—Olney Hymns

Sundry Sharp Reproofs
This doctrine draws up a charge against several sorts: 1 Those that think themselves good Christians, yet have not learned this art of holy mourning. Luther calls mourning a rare herb'. Men have tears to shed for other things, but have none to spare for their sins. There are many murmurers, but few mourners. Most are like the stony ground which lacked moisture' (Luke 8:6). We have many cry out of hard times, but they are not sensible of hard hearts. Hot and dry is the worst temper of the body. Sure …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
Numberless marks does man bear in his soul, that he is fallen and estranged from God; but nothing gives a greater proof thereof, than that backwardness, which every one finds within himself, to the duty of praise and thanksgiving. When God placed the first man in paradise, his soul no doubt was so filled with a sense of the riches of the divine love, that he was continually employing that breath of life, which the Almighty had not long before breathed into him, in blessing and magnifying that all-bountiful, …
George Whitefield—Selected Sermons of George Whitefield

The General Observations are These.
There are in these relations proper circumstances of time and place, and the names and characters of persons. Of the miracle on Jairus's daughter, the time and place are sufficiently specified by St. Mark and St. Luke. It was soon after his crossing the sea of Galilee, after Jesus had cured the men possessed with devils in the country of the Gergesenes, Mark v. 21. And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him, and he was nigh unto the sea. And behold …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

R. W. Begins his Fifth Discourse, P. 1, 2. With Saying, that He is Now
to take into examination the three miracles of Jesus's raising the dead, viz. of Jairus's daughter, Matth. ix. Mark. v. Luke viii. of the widow of Naim's son, Luke vii. and of Lazarus, John xi: the literal stories of which, he says, he shall shew to consist of absurdities, improbabilities, and incredibilities, in order to the mystical interpretation of them. I have read over his examination of these miracles, and am still of opinion, that the histories of them are credible. I. I will therefore first …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

The Second Miracle at Cana.
^D John IV. 46-54. ^d 46 He came therefore again [that is, in consequence of the welcome which awaited him] Unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine [see page 114]. And there was a certain nobleman [literally, "king's man:" a word which Josephus uses to designate a soldier, courtier, or officer of the king. He was doubtless an officer of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. That it was Chuzas (Luke viii. 3) or Manaen (Acts xiii. 1) is mere conjecture], whose son was sick at Capernaum. [The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Ancient Versions of the Old Testament.
In the present chapter only those versions of the Old Testament are noticed which were made independently of the New. Versions of the whole Bible, made in the interest of Christianity, are considered in the following part. I. THE GREEK VERSION CALLED THE SEPTUAGINT. 1. This is worthy of special notice as the oldest existing version of the holy Scriptures, or any part of them, in any language; and also as the version which exerted a very large influence on the language and style of the New Testament; …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

General Remarks on the History of Missions in this Age.
THE operations of Christianity are always radically the same, because they flow from its essential character, and its relations to human nature; yet it makes some difference whether it is received amongst nations to whom it was previously quite unknown, either plunged in barbarism or endowed with a certain degree of civilization, proceeding from some other form of religion, or whether it attaches itself to an already existing Christian tradition. In the latter case, it will indeed have to combat …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

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