FocusFruitful hearing
Connection to the wholeThe ministry setting, sower, lamp, and family sayings connect belonging and fruitfulness with hearing and doing God's word.
interpretation Luke 8:3
KJVAnd Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Read it in context
The word and its hearers
Start reading at Luke 8:1 (Luke 8:1 to Luke 8:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The ministry setting, sower, lamp, and family sayings connect belonging and fruitfulness with hearing and doing God's word.
- 8:1 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,
- 8:2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
- 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
- 8:4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
- 8:5 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.
- 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
- 8:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
- 8:8 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.
- 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
- 8:10 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.
- 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
- 8:12 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.
- 8:13 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.
- 8:14 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.
- 8:15 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.
- 8:16 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.
- 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
- 8:18 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.
- 8:19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
- 8:20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
- 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 8:1–8:56): The twelve and women supporters accompany Jesus; crowds hear parables. The disciples, a possessed man, Jairus's family, and a woman seeking healing feature in later scenes. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The word and its hearers. Read Luke 8:1 through Luke 8:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The ministry setting, sower, lamp, and family sayings connect belonging and fruitfulness with hearing and doing God's word. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The word and its hearers (Luke 8:1 to Luke 8:21). Start reading at Luke 8:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 8:1, Luke 8:21, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- Joanna Luke 24:10
- Herod's Luke 9:7-9 John 4:46-53 Acts 13:1 Phil 4:22
- of their 1 Chr 29:14 Isa 23:18 Matt 2:11 Matt 25:40 Matt 26:11 Acts 9:36-39 2 Cor 8:9 1 Tim 5:10
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 8
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
Storm and deliverance
Luke 8:22–39FocusJesus' authority and human response
Connection to the wholeThe stilled storm and delivered man expose fear and contrasting responses, ending with a restored witness sent home.
interpretation Two daughters restored
Luke 8:40–56FocusFaith amid delay and death
Connection to the wholeThe woman's healing interrupts the journey to Jairus' house, joining two accounts of trust and restoration in one narrative.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.