“Tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, and people will eventually believe it.” (Luke 8)

Scripture reading – Luke 8

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Luke 8

Our study of the Gospels continues, and you will notice parallel accounts of events in today’s Scripture. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the “Synoptic Gospels.” Synoptic comes from the Greek synoptikos, meaning “seeing together” — the three Gospels can be viewed side by side because they cover much of the same ground, reflecting the individual author’s perspective. Together, Matthew, Mark, and Luke give us greater depth and a broader perspective on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Also, remember that many events recorded in the Synoptic Gospels are not necessarily in chronological order.

The Breadth and Support of Christ’s Ministry (Luke 8:1-3)

Luke gives us a record of the extent of Christ’s ministry, for we read that “He went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings [i.e., the Gospel] of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him” (Luke 8:1). What were the “glad tidings” that Jesus preached? In essence, a call for Israel to repent of her sins, turn back to the LORD, and be saved (Matthew 4:17; Luke 5:32; 13:3, 5).

Accompanying Christ and His disciples were several women who had benefited from His ministry and were “healed of evil spirits and infirmities” (Luke 8:2). Among the women who ministered to Christ were “Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils. And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward [manager of a household], and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance” (Luke 8:2-3). Following the Old Testament model of supporting those who ministered to the people, these women gave “of their substance” what was needed.

Jesus Taught the People in Parables (Luke 8:5-16)

As we have seen, parables are the vehicle through which Jesus taught and ministered to the people. A parable is a brief narrative that draws on familiar objects or everyday occurrences. Through them, we learn spiritual truths.

The Parable of the Sower and the Soils, which we studied in Matthew 13, is recorded in Luke 8:5-15 and in Mark 4:3-20. Luke 8:16-18 and Mark 4:21-25 record the Parable of the Candle.

The “Parable of the Candle” expands on the “Parable of the Sower and the Soils” and makes a simple point that no one lights a candle only to hide its light (Luke 8:16). Instead, the lighted candle is placed prominently in a room, set on a candlestick, so that “they which enter in may see the light” (Luke 8:16).

What did the light of the candle symbolize? The light of the Truth, of which every sincere believer is to be a bearer. Jesus taught His followers, “Ye are the light of the world… 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16; 1 Thessalonians 5:5).

Parallel Records of the Synoptic Gospels (Luke 8:19-48)

You will recognize that several events recorded by Luke have been discussed in prior Bible studies. In Luke 8:19-21, Luke chronicled the time when Jesus’s mother, Mary, and His siblings came seeking Him as He ministered (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-36). The storm on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus casting out devils from a man in the country of the Gadarenes are also recounted (Luke 8:22-39; Mark 4:35-5:20; Matthew 8:23-34).

We also find recorded the raising of the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Luke 8:41-42, 49-56; Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26) and the healing of the woman with an issue of blood, who was healed because she believed that if she could touch the hem of Christ’s robe, she would be made whole (Luke 8:43-48; Mark 5:25-34; Matthew 9:20-22).

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