Verse 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,
Afterward refers to the meal at the Pharisee’s house and the events recorded in chapter 7. Jesus began to travel and to teach and preach in the cities and villages of Judea. The Greek word translated as “glad tidings” is “euaggelizo” and it means to bring good news. Jesus explained the Kingdom of God through parables, through Old Testament passages, and through examples that the ordinary people could understand.
Verses 2-3 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.
Jesus was both God and man. Because He (God, very God) was inhabiting a body of flesh, He had the same needs any man or woman would have such as the need for food, clothing, and shelter. These women who had been set free from the bondage of devils, from physical sickness or weakness, and from their sins were so grateful, they wanted to serve Him with that which they had. Scripture does not elaborate on what these women did to serve Jesus, but it is clear that God uses women in the ministry as well as men. If there is a willing heart and faith, God can use that individual to further His kingdom.
Application: Notice also that one of the women was the wife of a man who worked as a manager for the wicked king Herod. So even in the halls of corrupt man-made government, God has His people.
Verse 4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
People came from all over Judea to see and hear Jesus. Why? “The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.” John 7:46 “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” Mark 1:27 Jesus had authority. He did not teach the doctrines of men like the Pharisees, but the doctrine of God. The people had never heard the things He was teaching, and so they wanted to be in His presence.
The Greek word translated as “parable” is “parabole” and it means a metaphor, a comparison of one thing with another, an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated, a narrative that is fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God are figuratively portrayed, or an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Why did Jesus use parables? Because only those people called by God would understand them. Those people who were not sincere in seeking, finding and serving God would not understand the parables and would not be able to apply them in their lives.
Application: Today, the parables of Jesus are recorded in Scripture. Only those who have been called by God will read Scripture and understand it. It will not make sense to unbelievers just as Jesus’ parables did not make sense to many of the people He was speaking to.
So often churches will have an evangelistic outreach where people respond to the Gospel message and then they will hand out little booklets of the Gospel of John and expect new believers to comprehend it. This writer’s experience is that unless these new converts are discipled by the Christian believers, they will not understand Scripture and most will not get to first base. It is not enough to accept claims of conversion from people and then send them on their way in life. With preaching the Word comes responsibility to train new followers so that they can stand against the Devil and can mature in the Faith. Handing out the Book of Acts appears to be more helpful and the new convert then understands how the Church began, and then the Epistles are better understood.
Verse 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.
Each one of these examples demonstrates how people receive and respond to the Word of God. Jesus explains the parable starting in verse 9 below. The story is an accurate description in the physical realm of what happens to seeds when they are hand sown as was done in days gone by. Because so many people live in cities and have never planted seeds and watched the growing process, it may be difficult for some to relate to this parable.
Verse 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
In the natural, seeds can sprout on/in rocky soil, but because of the presence of rocks and/or pebbles, rain water will run right through and the area will dry out quickly. Because this medium cannot retain moisture, the plants will die.
Verse 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Thorns or weeds, in the natural, usually grow faster than cultivated crops and so they will take the nutrients out of the soil and also take the moisture away from the seedlings. And because of their propensity to grow quickly, thorns/weeds will cast shadow and prevent enough sun from reaching the seedlings so that they can grow.
Verse 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.
In the natural, when soil conditions are optimal, seeds will sprout and the seedlings will grow and become the crop the sower wanted when first casting the seeds.
Application: Jesus did not waste words in idle conversation. Like His written Word, everything He spoke was of importance. Therefore, He cried (spoke with a loud voice) the command for those people who could understand the deeper meaning of the parable to pay attention to it. He was not there to entertain the crowd with stories. He was teaching something. So often Christian believers read Scripture and do not look for the deeper meaning. The way to read Scripture is always “first the natural, and then the spiritual”. This means that every word contained in the King James Bible has purpose and meaning and should be paid attention to, So the questions should be asked, “what is it saying in the natural sense, and then what does it mean in the spiritual sense and in relation to the Kingdom of God?” Scripture should not be read just because Christians are supposed to read it. Scripture should not be read to a schedule so that people can claim they have gotten from Genesis to Revelation in a set amount of time such as in a year. This writer has done this and learned nothing. Scripture is “living” and each word can affect the believer’s understanding of God and of His Word, and can affect the believer’s daily walk in the Spirit.
Verses 9-10 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 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.
Notice that Jesus said, “Unto you it is given to know . . .”. His disciples had not understood the parable either, but the explanation was to be given to them. Everything that a Christian believer knows and understands is because it is given by God. It is not because of intellect or intelligence. It is because the LORD gives each believer the information and understanding they need at any particular moment in time.
Application: If a Christian believer is walking in the Spirit, Scripture will be understood. If a Christian believer is not walking in the Spirit, Scripture will not be understood easily. It is the Spirit of God who reveals what the Word means. That is why unsaved people can read Bible passages or books and perhaps understand the historical aspect such as in the book of Genesis, but get totally lost in the prophetic books. The disciples were walking daily with Jesus who is God, very God, yet they did not understand the spiritual meaning of the parable. It had to be revealed to them by Jesus. Today, it is revealed to God’s people by His Holy Ghost/Spirit who dwells within each believer.
Verses 11-12 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 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.
Application: Why did Jesus refer to the Word in metaphor as seed? Because natural seed starts out tiny and needs to be nurtured to grow and produce fruit. Spiritually, the Word starts out tiny in the minds and hearts of those who first hear it, and then it grows if nurtured through Bible study, prayer, and a good church, and it produces spiritual fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness and truth;” Ephesians 5:9
Jesus presents four types of people in this parable. The first type hear the Gospel message, are willing to consider it, but the message doesn’t remain with them long enough to take root. The Devil rushes in after the Gospel is preached and takes the words out of their heart and mind. God’s Word is powerful, and when people hear it, if the Word remains with them for a time, they will eventually believe it and be saved from sin, death, and Hell. But if the Word doesn’t remain in their mind, they will move on to something else. Remember that Satan hates the Word, hates God, and hates people. He is a liar, a deceiver, and a thief who will steal away the saving message of the Gospel if he can.
Verse 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.
The second type are often seen in churches. They respond to the Gospel message with joy and are on fire for the LORD for a time, and then they stop coming to church and are not heard from again. The things of the world become more pleasurable to them than the things of God and His kingdom, or they run into some trials and, when God doesn’t answer their prayer in the manner and time frame they want, they reject what they have come to believe and go their way. Just as the devil came and took the Gospel message out of the hearts and minds of the first example of people above which prevented them from being saved, the devil comes to the second type of people and brings temptation (trials, enticement to sin, affliction, or trouble) so that they fall away and forfeit their salvation.
Verse 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.
The third type receive the Gospel message, become believers, but fail to strengthen their Faith through fellowship with other believers, Bible study and prayer, and continue to live their life in the world where the devil provides anxiety and/or riches to distract them from their walk with God so that they never grow spiritually. They may sit in a church building every Sunday, but they never mature in the Faith and produce righteous “fruit” for the LORD.
Application: This third type is possibly the most difficult to identify and to reach with correction by other believers as they often truly believe they are saved and on their way to Heaven. They are deceived by the devil. Other Christian believers see their religious activities and assume all is well with them spiritually. It sometimes takes the revealing by the Holy Ghost/Spirit for other believers to know that something is wrong and to approach these people. And if confronted in a Christ-like manner, they will often just get angry and even leave the fellowship of those people trying to help them. “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20 If the spiritual condition of someone’s soul seems questionable by another Christian believer, and if God prompts an interaction with the individual, the Christian believer has no option but to be obedient to God and to talk with the individual regarding their lack of fruits because, as stated in the versed above, a soul may be saved which should be the priority of all believers.
Verse 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. 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.
The fourth or last type are the true Christian believers who make up the Church, the body of Christ. These people are saved and walking with the LORD and learning every day how to strengthen their Faith. They are growing and producing spiritual fruit. They are the light seen in a dark world of sin. They do not compromise their belief and they stand firm under pressure of persecution by the devil and by the unsaved people of the world. They desire to become Christ-like and to serve their Master and King, Jesus Christ
Verses 17-18 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 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.
Fake believers will be found out and exposed. Those believers that are on/in the good soil shall continue to grow spiritually and shall continue to hear and understand their LORD. Their blessings from the LORD will grow. Those fakers or marginal believers will not grow and the LORD will take away from them any spiritual blessing they may have received because they are not worthy servants.
Application: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17 There will be a day at the end of time when judgement will be handed out to all people: judgement of the works of the righteous with rewards, and judgement of the works of the wicked with eternal punishment. But prior to this, it appears that a time has come in which the wickedness of religious establishment churches is being exposed. The wickedness of the pedophile organization of Catholicism has been exposed. The wickedness of many televangelists and their organizations has been exposed. The wickedness of the local church organizations who surrendered to man-made government orders to close God’s houses during the so-called pandemic and therefore refused to obey God was seen for all to comprehend. And the wickedness of man-made governments and their officials is being exposed daily around the world. The secrets of evil men are being brought to light by the LORD Jesus Christ and His words as recorded above by Luke have come to pass. Hallelujah and amen!
Verse 19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.
Application: This verse is just one of many in the New Testament that shows the teachings of the Institution of Catholicism to be false. Mary did not remain a virgin. She and Joseph had other children, referred to as “brethren” in the verse above. Yes, Jesus had brothers and sisters.
Verses 20-21 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
Jesus was not being unkind. His family is not defined by flesh and blood and DNA. His family is all the people who love and follow Him in obedience to His commandments. All true Christian believers are sons of God and therefore members of Jesus’ family.
Application: If Christian believers are blessed to have Christian parents and siblings or Christian spouses and children, they are double blessed as they have two families: one defined by flesh and blood and the other defined by the Spirit. But many believers do not have families who support and love them in their walk with the LORD. In reality, the people who are walking in the Spirit and who are going to be in Heaven are the family of each and every believer. So if you, the reader, have a physical family that is abusive, unloving, and persecuting you for your faith in Jesus, take heart and go to a church where you can have like-minded believers support and love you. There is a huge family of God across the Earth that you, as a Christian believer, are a part of and to which you belong.
Verse 22 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.
This writer would like to know why Luke chose to write, “on a certain day”. It appears to have significance, but nothing in this chapter explains any significance. However, significance can be inferred. Luke could have simply said, “now it came to pass that he went”. Hmm.
Remember that many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen and therefore they would know how to work a boat and its sails and how to cross a lake as they sailed for a living.
Verses 23-24 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. 24 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.
Just as the devil, as told in the parable of the sower above, came/comes to destroy the Gospel message in the hearts of mankind because he hates people and he hates God, he came to create a wind on the lake for the purpose of destroying the Son of God and His disciples. He tried to destroy Jesus the whole time He was ministering here on Earth, starting with the infanticide he instigated with king Herod. This was just another attempt. What is obvious in this narrative is that the storm was unusually big and frightening as seasoned sailors were terrified they were going to swamp and drown in the lake. Notice they did not say, “Master, we may perish” or “Master we are going to perish”. They had already decided they were going to die and said “we perish”.
Application: The phrase, “storms of life”, is a reference to this Biblical event. Storms of life are those things that can harm, hamper, or destroy an individual. For the Christian believer storms of life are those things that build faith in the LORD. Because of dwelling in a fallen, sin ridden world with unrepentant men and women and with devils running around trying to destroy all that is God’s, every Christian believer will have difficulties. But just as the disciples experienced a fearful event, Jesus was in their midst. And when they cried out to Him, He stilled the storm. Likewise, when experiencing a trial or tribulation, the Christian believer only has to cry out to Jesus and He will still the storm. He may do this by stilling the believer’s anxiety, by stilling the storm, or by going with the believer through the storm to quieter waters. It doesn’t really matter how He chooses to intercede on behalf of His people. It just matters that He will fulfill His promise to be with His people always and that He will solve those problems that seem to have no remedy. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” Matthew 28:20
Verse 25 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.
Application: Jesus’ question above is relevant today. Where is the faith of the various church congregations? Why are not people being healed or being raised from the dead in these churches? Jesus gave all believers the power to do what He did. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:12 Think about it.
The disciples with Jesus in the boat that day had been afraid of the storm. Now they were afraid of Jesus. Why? Because they thought He was but a man like they were and they could not understand how a man could control the environment around them. They, even after seeing the elements obey His voice, did not realize they were in the presence of God, the very God who created the winds and the water and the wood their boat was made out of and the flesh that they were made of.
Verses 26-27 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 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.
Gadara, also called Gergesenes, was the capital of an area called Peraea which was situated east of the River Jordan at the south end of the Lake of Gennesaret. Hence, the people living there were called Gadarenes. There was not a committee of city leaders to welcome Jesus, the King of kings, but only a naked and dirty homeless man who was not mentally stable as he was dwelling in a grave yard full of the tombs of dead people. This man was the worst the Gadarenes had to offer. He was possessed and indwelt by evil spirits who did not wish Jesus to enter into their domain and interrupt their evil works. He was physically alive, but he was dead spiritually, emotionally and mentally and he had no future. But then came Jesus and a future.
Application: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 Jesus was/is the only One who could/can destroy the works of devils through His power. He has given His Holy Ghost/Spirit to each believer, and so now the true Church can destroy the works of the devil and set people free through the power of His name. Until Jesus came, the man of the tombs had no hope. Likewise there are people everywhere who are possessed, oppressed, or just plain willingly serving devils unawares who have no hope. They are the walking dead, just like the Gadarene man of the tombs. And just as Jesus made the trip on a certain day across the lake just to set this man free, each believer needs to be available to be used by the LORD to set others free from the bondage of sin and the devils in their lives. It may not be convenient, and there may be a lake or barrier to cross, but by faith and as directed by the LORD people can be set free by His servants. Think about it.
Verses 28-29 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. 29 (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.)
The man of the tombs cried out, but it was the devils speaking through him as they recognized Jesus, the Son of God, whom they wished to destroy, and they were fearful. The devils beg Jesus to not cast them out of the man. Notice that the devils drove the man’s behavior so that he acted in bizarre ways. Think about the “mentally ill” seen today on the streets or in institutions or prisons. One has to wonder how much their behavior is driven by devils. Just as the man of the tombs was driven out into the wilderness away from society, the mentally ill today are not part of society as so they are also in a “wilderness” of sorts.
Application: Notice that Jesus took charge and commanded the devils to vacate. He did not pray to the Father or beg for a miracle. He had authority over these evil spirits and He exercised His authority. If a Christian believer wants to be Christ-like, he/she must take the authority given by Jesus via His Holy Ghost/Spirit and exercise authority. Tell devils to leave, plain and simple. Be like Christ.
Verse 30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
A legion was a body of soldiers that in the days of Jesus’ ministry numbered around 2000 men. In different times and places this number changed. Regardless, it was a large number and this man of the tombs was host to a large number of devils. Scripture does not explain how this man became possessed by these evil spirits, only that he was in bad shape as a result of this bondage.
Verses 31-33 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 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. 33 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.
The Greek word translated as “deep” is “abussos” and it means bottomless, unbounded, the abyss, or the pit. These devils did not want to go to a place that they apparently dreaded and so requested to be sent into animals instead. The pigs were considered to be “unclean” to the Jew and so the picture here is that unclean spirits were cast into unclean animals. So the spirits had to leave their home with the man of the tombs.
Application: Pigs and other animals classified in Scripture as “unclean” simply mean that they are not to be eaten due to health reasons. It does not mean that they are dirty or somehow muddier than other critters. Pigs carry diseases that can be found in their meat and then transferred to people. If pigs are permitted to live on grass and free range, they will stay very clean. The scavenger birds and the bottom feeding sea creatures for example were not to be eaten by the Hebrew people because they feast on dead or diseased critters and therefore can present a health hazard.
Verses 34-35 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35 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.
Mankind’s nature, being one that is easily frightened by anything new, out of the ordinary, or unexpected, causes people to react quickly and to want to avoid the situation. The keepers of the pigs saw their jobs and their income fall over a cliff into the lake. Instead of being pleased that the man in the tombs, who had more than likely frightened people with his strength and with his crazy behavior, was set free from spiritual bondage so that he would no longer be a threat to the community, they ran away as fast as they could and told their tale. They not only told it to the people in the city, but to any people they met in the surrounding countryside. One can only imagine how their tale grew and changed as they repeatedly relayed what they had seen and heard. So the people in the city and the countryside became as fearful as the keepers of the pigs. They likewise could not see the miracle and the wonderful change in the man in the tombs who was now able to think clearly and to behave in a sane manner.
Application: Notice where the man in the tombs was seated. He knew who his deliverer was. He knew who his Savior was. He wanted to be with Jesus and so he humbly sat on the ground at Jesus’ feet. People today experience miracles from the LORD, but do these miracles produce humility and a greater love for Jesus? Or in these last days is His work in the lives of people merely taken for granted?
Verses 36-37 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37 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.
In the Old Testament Scripture there are many incidents of physical healings taking place and dead people being raised to life. But this writer has not found one incident where a devil was cast out of a man or a woman. That being the case, the casting out of evil spirits from people was a new phenomenon and it frightened people. Mankind’s nature is to fear that which is not understood. Also, fear is a spirit used by Satan. So it makes sense that this weapon of fear would be used to attempt to separate the people from the Savior and to attempt to stop the message of the Gospel from being preached far and wide. Jesus had no choice but to leave. However, He had a plan.
Verses 38-39 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 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.
Jesus’ plan was to not allow the healed and delivered man of the tombs to follow Him, but to leave him in the community as a witness. Hence, the command to return to his home and show his family and neighbors what the LORD had done for him. This plan was very successful as can be seen later in Scripture.
Application: Do Christian believers publish throughout their cities the great things Jesus has done for them? Think about it. So often believers feel inadequate to preach the Gospel as they are afraid they do not know their Bible well enough to be effective or to answer questions that may arise. Believers are also afraid of offending the listener. But just telling people what the LORD has done in the believer’s life is not preaching, but it is a witnessing tool and God will use it for His Kingdom. The man in the tombs did not know anything about Scripture. He only knew he had met Jesus and Jesus had helped him. So he told everyone about his experience. If each man or woman calling themselves Christian were to do this every day as the opportunities presented themselves, would there not be an impact of society?
Verses 40-42 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. 41 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: 42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
Jesus returned from whence he had cast off to go across the lake and a crowd was waiting for him. Why? Did they want to hear about Moses or the prophets or did they want to learn more about God? Maybe. But more than likely they wanted what Jesus could give them: healing, deliverance, and assurance.
The name, Jairus, means “whom God enlightens”. Jairus was a Jew and in charge of the Jewish synagogue, yet because God enlightened him, he knew that Jesus could heal his only daughter and so he sought Him out. The doctors were failing him and so he was desperate.
Application: Numbers are important in Scripture. The number 12 represents Godly government. Jesus was always telling all the people that the Kingdom of God was at hand, and when He went to minister to this child, He was/is King of that kingdom and He was bringing that Kingdom to Jairus and his daughter. In this earthly kingdom controlled by Satan, there are no miraculous healings. But in God’s Kingdom healings are and should be the norm. Each Christian believer is commanded to take the Kingdom of God to the people. It is not the job of the church pastor. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:15-18
Verses 43-44 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.
Notice again the number 12 in the verse above. Here was a women who had experienced a menstrual period for 12 years and had become poor paying earthly physicians in an effort to get relief. Like Jairus, she was desperate. Remember that according to the ordinances written by the prophet Moses, a women was considered “unclean” when menstruating and was not allowed to be in the Temple for worship and was unable to participate in community life. “And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.” Leviticus 15:25 Also, it was basically a crime to touch a priest if deemed unclean. This woman would have known she was breaking the “law”, but she took a chance in her desperation and reached out to touch the hem of His garment. She had faith. She was immediately healed, and she knew it
Application: In western culture, people have been trained to seek aid from the “professionals” and Christian believers often fail to consult God regarding their health. If the first thing a believer does in a health crisis is dial 911, there is a lack of faith in the LORD Jesus Christ. This writer is not saying to not dial 911 in an emergency, but just to pray first. Years ago the young son of the assistant pastor at the church this writer was attending was struck by a car in the street in front of their house. The very first thing the pastor did was sink to his knees and cry out to Jesus. When he had finished praying, he calmly asked a bystander to please call 911 and ask for an ambulance. When he prayed, the Holy Ghost/Spirit revealed to him that his son would be just fine. All went well and the son survived with a few fractures and recovered rapidly. This writer has never forgotten this testimony of one man’s faith and trust in the LORD.
Verses 45-46 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 of me.
The Greek word translated as “virtue” is “dunamis” and it means strength or power. Jesus knew a miracle had happened because He could feel it. It was a different sensation to that of just being touched casually by someone in the crowd.
Verses 47-48 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. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
The woman confessed that she had violated the law by touching Him. Instead of receiving a scolding or punishment as would have been the case if dealing with the Pharisees of her day, she was told by Jesus not to worry because it was her faith in Him that had wrought the miracle and that she was to be in peace. So she received a double blessing: healing of her infirmity and healing of her soul.
Verses 49-50 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. 50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Jesus had interrupted His day and His mission of going to Jairus’ home in order to aid a woman in trouble. Women were not held in high esteem in Jewish culture in those days. Jesus went contrary to the norm in that He made Jairus, a man of importance, wait while He put the needs of an “insignificant” woman first. Jesus always treated women with respect as with Him, all people are equal. One had to wonder if Jesus’ response to the messenger irritated people. They did not understand they were walking and talking with God, very God, and that with God there is never an emergency but just an opportunity to show His power, grace, mercy, and love.
Verses 51-52 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. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
On several occasions as recorded in the Gospel books, Jesus excluded all of His disciples except Peter, James, and his brother John during certain ministry actions. Peter was given the “keys to the kingdom” and took the Gospel to the Jews, the Samaritans, and the Gentiles. James became the leader of the Church in Jerusalem and was martyred. And John wrote the book of Revelation. All three of these men were essential in the success of the early Church.
It was a Jewish custom to weep and wail when there was a death. This could be a very distracting and noisy situation and Jesus basically told the mourners to shut up because the child was not dead. This is an interesting statement because it is not hard to know when someone is dead or alive. This writer believes that this child’s body was no longer alive as breathing and heart action had ceased, but her spirit had not yet left for Heaven. And Jesus knew her spirit and that it had lingered waiting for Him to come and perform a miracle. So He could say the she was not dead, but sleeping. Again, this writer is putting this forth as an opinion based on verses 53 and 55 below.
Verses 53-56 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done. (Luke 8)
People still laugh Jesus to scorn. They laugh and scoff at His Word and at the Gospel message. Jokes are made by so called comedians that disparage Christian believers and their Faith. Jesus is mocked on TV, radio and the Internet. When a miracle occurs, it is explained away by unbelieving men and women because they cannot and will not believe that Jesus was/is who He said He was, the I AM or God Almighty.