Read the Passage: Luke 8:26–56

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Luke 8:26–56

A Demonic is Delivered (8:26–40)

Roughly one-third of Jesus’ miracles are recorded by each of the Synoptic Gospel writers, including the account the Gadarene demoniac. After stilling a storm, when the boat arrived on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Christ encountered a demoniac near the city of Gergesa. Note that Matt. 8:28 reports that there were actually two demon-possessed men present here, yet one of them was evidently more prominent (cf. Mark 5:2). Upon seeing Jesus, the demons in this man recognized Christ as the Son of God (cf. Luke 8:28), and begged that Jesus not send them “into the abyss” (Luke 8:31; cf. 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6). Next, Christ asked the demon his name (cf. Luke 8:30) and commanding it to come out of the man (cf. Luke 8:29). Observe the correct eschatology of these demons, as they knew that there is a divinely appointed time for their judgment (cf. Jas. 2:19).

Luke 8:32 records that there was a herd of swine feeding in this region. Since pigs were unclean animals, this indicates that this was most likely a Gentile region. Mark 5:13 reports that there were about 2,000 swine in this herd. The demons in this man begged for permission to enter into the swine, which Jesus allowed. Next, Luke records that “the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned” (Luke 8:33). While the text does not disclose why Christ allowed for the destruction of these pigs, it may be the case that Jesus orchestrated this object lesson to demonstrate to the man, and to the crowd, the magnitude of the problem from which the man had been delivered. Upon witnessing these events, the citizens of this region begged Christ to depart. Perhaps the people reacted this way, for they were grieved over the financial loss of the pigs or frightened by the display of supernatural power.

Next, Luke 8:38–40 records the reaction of the man who had been healed of the legion of demons. Interestingly, Matthew leaves these details out of his account of this same miracle (cf. Matt. 8:28–34). Understandably, the cleansed man “begged Jesus that he might be with him” (Luke 8:38). This contrasts with the statement from the demons, through the man, in Luke 8:28. It surprising, though, that Christ did not allow the man to follow Him. Rather, Jesus commanded the man to return to his own house and to testify about the great things that God had done for him. Only Luke reports that, indeed, the one who had formerly been demon-possessed “went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him” (Luke 8:39). Following a brief time of serving in this region (cf. Mark 5:20), Christ returned to Capernaum and continued His ministry.

A Woman is Healed (8:41–48)

Luke 8:41–48 narrates the healing of a woman who had a flow of blood. This account is intertwined with the raising of Jairus’ daughter, as perhaps Luke was showing that Jesus’ healing is available both to leaders and to outcasts. The passage describes an unnamed woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years. This condition would have rendered her ceremonially unclean, and thus an outcast from society (cf. Lev.15:25–27). Luke writes that this woman had spent all her money on medical care but found no relief. Indeed, Mark notes that the woman “suffered many things from many physicians . . . and was no better, but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:26). In the story, the woman touched Jesus’ garment and was immediately made well. Next, in response to a question from Christ, the woman confessed that she was the one who had touched His garment and been healed. In response, Jesus comforted the woman and praised her faith.

A Daughter is Raised (8:49–56)

In Luke 8:41, Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue in Capernaum, approached Jesus to ask for healing for his sick daughter. As He was headed to Jairus’ home, Christ was interrupted by a woman with a flow of blood. Jairus then received word that his daughter had passed away. However, Jesus encouraged Jairus, saying, “Only believe” (Luke 8:50). Observe that by earlier commending the woman with the flow of blood for her great faith, and by now exhorting Jairus regarding his small faith, Christ was not depicting faith as a self-generated force. Rather, faith is simply trusting God and believing in His promises. Finally, when they arrived at Jairus’ home, Jesus navigated the mourners and took Peter, James, and John, as well as Jairus and his wife, into the house. Next, with the simple command, “Little girl, arise” (Luke 8:54), Christ raised the girl from the dead and presented her to her parents.

Application Questions:

1. What is the purpose of Jesus’ miracles? While Christ did perform many miracles, why did He not do more of them (cf. Matt. 13:58)?
2. Why do you believe Jesus allowed the demons to enter the herd of swine, and then for the swine to be killed?
3. Why did Jesus command some men to follow him, while instructing others who wanted to follow him to return home?
4. What did Jesus mean in telling the woman, “Your faith has made you well” (Luke 8:48)?
5. Why did Jesus charge those who witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter to keep quiet about the miracle?