Luke 8:1-10

Christian Standard Bible

Many Women Support Christ’s Work

8 Afterward he was traveling from one town and village to another,^(A) preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God.^(B) The Twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses:^(C) Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out^(D) of her); ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.

The Parable of the Sower

⁴ As a large crowd was gathering, and people were coming to Jesus from every town, he said in a parable,^{(E) 5} “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seed fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky devoured it. ⁶ Other seed fell on the rock; when it grew up, it withered away, since it lacked moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns grew up with it and choked it. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good ground; when it grew up, it produced fruit: a hundred times what was sown.”^(F) As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”^(G)

Why Jesus Used Parables

⁹ Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?” ^{(H) 10} So he said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you^(I) to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that