The New Testament & Psalms Bible Reading Plan
February 21
Luke 8
Chapter 8
Ministering Women
1 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another,
proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,
2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary
who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many
others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
Parable of the Sower
4 When a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were
journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:
5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside
the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up.
6 “Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered
away, because it had no moisture.
7 “Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and
choked it out.
8 “Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop
a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “He
who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
9 His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.
10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that seeing they may not
see, and hearing they may not understand.
11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
12 “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes
and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be
saved.
13 “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the
word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in
time of temptation fall away.
14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard,
and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures
of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the
word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
Parable of the Lamp
16 “Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or
puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in
may see the light.
17 “For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret
that will not be known and come to light.
18 “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be
given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away
from him.”
19 And His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him
because of the crowd.
20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing
outside, wishing to see You.”
21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these
who hear the word of God and do it.”
Jesus Stills the Sea
22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said
to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they
launched out.
23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended
on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.
24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are
perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and
they stopped, and it became calm.
25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful
and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands
even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”
The Demoniac Cured
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.
27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who
was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time,
and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.
28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What
business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You,
do not torment me.”
29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had
seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under
guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.
30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”;
for many demons had entered him.
31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.
32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the
demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission.
33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed
down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in
the city and out in the country.
35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and
found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of
Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.
36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed
had been made well.
37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district
asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into
a boat and returned.
38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might
accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying,
39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for
you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great
things Jesus had done for him.
Miracles of Healing
40 And as Jesus returned, the people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting
for Him.
41 And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue;
and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house;
42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But
as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.
43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed
by anyone,
44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her
hemorrhage stopped.
45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they
were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing
in on You.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had
gone out of Me.”
47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and
fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason
why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
49 While He was still speaking, someone *?came from the house of the synagogue
official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.”
50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer;
only believe, and she will be made well.”
51 When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except
Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother.
52 Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, “Stop
weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.”
53 And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.
54 He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!”
55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for
something to be given her to eat.
56 Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)