Luke 8: 1-25, Responding to Seeds

Jesus continues his ministry in Galilee. The next two chapters are a transition passage. According to one commentator, Jesus has now moved out of the synagogues and is taking his message to the masses, speaking on the hillsides.  At the end of chapter 9, Jesus will then turn towards Jerusalem for one final visit.

Luke 8: 1-3, A diverse group of followers
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Who are listed as Jesus’ followers and supporters?  How many are identified as women?  (This is unique to Luke.)

Luke 8: 4 - 8, A farmer spreads seeds
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."

When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

What are the four types of soil? What do they mean?

This is a parable about the use of parables!  Jesus ends this story by saying "Listen carefully to this!" Indeed, there is a recursive structure here -- Jesus is the farmer of the story, throwing out seeds, and then asking his listeners to respond!  (More on this below.)

Luke 8: 9-15, The parable explained
His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, "The knowledge of the secrets 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.'

"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

The quote in verse 10 is from Isaiah 6:9.

One might ask, Why does Jesus so often speak in parables?  This was a major technique throughout his ministry.  This parable answers that question, in that Jesus is requiring his listeners to participate in the learning process. They are not given answers but spiritual puzzles to work through.  One who has thought carefully about a parable will become "good soil."

Looking deeper: Can we make the presentation of the gospel of Jesus too simple, too easy to understand?

Luke 8: 16-18, Further emphasis on true listening

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 

Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."

A warning is embedded here.  Jesus is telling the crowd, "You have a unique opportunity here." A transparent, visible community is being set up, in preparation for a future kingdom.  But only for those who are serious about following Jesus.

Luke 8: 19-21, Jesus's true family
Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you."

He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."

One more emphasis on commitment: the true "family" of Jesus are those who decide to follow Him!

Luke 8: 22-25, A storm rebuked
One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. 

In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

I sympathize with the disciples here -- I would be afraid of one who can stand up and "rebuke" the wind and waves!

In the remaining half of this chapter (tomorrow), Jesus briefly leaves Galilee and travels east into the region of Decapolis.