路加福音 8
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
撒種的比喻
8 此後，耶穌到各城鎮去傳揚上帝國的福音。同行的有十二使徒， 2 還有幾個曾被邪靈和疾病纏身、現在已被醫治的婦女。其中有抹大拉的瑪麗亞，耶穌曾經從她身上趕出七個鬼， 3 還有希律的管家苦撒的妻子約亞娜，此外還有蘇珊娜等其他婦女。她們用自己的錢財資助耶穌和門徒。
4 那時，人群絡繹不絕地從各地聚集到耶穌面前，耶穌用比喻教導他們，說： 5 「有一個農夫到田裡撒種，有些種子落在路旁，被人踐踏，又被飛鳥吃掉了； 6 有些落在蓋著淺土的石頭地上，因水分不足，幼苗剛長出來就枯萎了； 7 有些落在荊棘叢中，荊棘長起來便把幼苗擠住了； 8 有些落在沃土裡，發芽生長，結出百倍的果實。」耶穌講完這番話後，高聲說：「有耳可聽的，就要留心聽。」
9 門徒請耶穌解釋這比喻的意思， 10 耶穌便說：「上帝國的奧祕只讓你們知道，對其他人，我就用比喻，使他們看卻看不見，聽卻聽不明白。 11 這個比喻的意思是這樣，種子代表上帝的道， 12 種子落在路旁是指人聽了道，隨後魔鬼來把道從他們心裡奪走了，不讓他們相信並得救； 13 種子落在蓋著淺土的石頭地上是指人聽了道，欣然接受了，但是沒有根基，只是暫時相信，一遇到試煉就放棄了； 14 種子落在荊棘叢中是指人聽了道，後來被生活的憂慮、錢財和享樂纏住了，以致結不出成熟的果實來； 15 種子落在沃土裡則是指人聽了道，用誠實良善的心堅忍持守，至終結出果實。
點燈的比喻
16 「沒有人點了燈，卻用器皿把它蓋起來或放到床底下，而是放在燈臺上，使進來的人能見到光。 17 掩蓋的事終會暴露出來，隱藏的秘密終會被人知道。 18 因此，你們要留心聽，因為凡有的，還要給他更多；凡沒有的，連他自以為已經擁有的也要被奪去。」
耶穌的親屬
19 這時，耶穌的母親和兄弟來找祂，由於人太多，他們無法靠近耶穌， 20 有人就對祂說：「你的母親和兄弟在外面想見你。」 21 耶穌卻說：「聽見上帝的話語並遵行的人就是我的母親、我的弟兄。」
平靜風浪
22 有一天，耶穌對門徒說：「我們到湖的對岸去吧。」於是他們坐船前往對岸。 23 途中耶穌睡著了。不料湖上忽然狂風大作，船灌滿了水，非常危險。 24 門徒過來喚醒耶穌，說：「主啊，主啊！我們快淹死了！」
耶穌醒來，就斥責風浪，頓時風平浪靜了。
25 耶穌對他們說：「你們的信心在哪裡呢？」
門徒又驚又怕，彼此議論說：「祂究竟是誰？一發命令，連風浪都聽祂的！」
格拉森趕鬼
26 他們渡過加利利湖，到了格拉森地區。 27 耶穌上岸後，迎面遇見當地一個被鬼附身的人。那人長期赤身露體，不住在房屋裡，只住在墓穴中。 28 他一見到耶穌，就仆倒在祂面前，高聲喊叫：「至高上帝的兒子耶穌，我和你有什麼關係？求求你，不要折磨我！」 29 這是因為耶穌已命令污鬼離開那人。那人多次被污鬼操縱，人們用鐵鏈腳鐐把他鎖起來看管，他竟把鎖鏈也扯斷，被鬼催逼到荒野。
30 耶穌問他：「你叫什麼名字？」
他說：「我叫『群』。」因為有一大群鬼附在那人身上。 31 鬼不斷央求耶穌不要叫牠們到無底坑去。
32 當時有一大群豬在附近山坡上覓食，污鬼就央求耶穌准許牠們進入豬群，耶穌答應了。 33 於是那群鬼便離開那人，進入豬群。那群豬就一路奔下陡坡，衝進湖裡淹死了。 34 放豬的人見此情形拔腿就跑，把這事告訴了城裡和鄉下的人。 35 人們出來看個究竟，到了耶穌那裡，發現那曾被鬼附身的人衣著整齊、神智清醒地坐在耶穌腳前，他們都很害怕。 36 目擊者把事情的始末告訴了他們。 37 格拉森地區的居民都十分害怕，請求耶穌離開那裡，耶穌便乘船回去了。
38 那從前被鬼附身的人懇求跟耶穌同行，耶穌卻對他說： 39 「你回家吧，把上帝為你所行的奇事告訴別人。」他就回去，走遍全城，四處傳揚耶穌為他所行的奇事。
雅魯求救
40 耶穌回到對岸，受到等候在那裡的百姓的歡迎。 41 一個名叫雅魯的會堂主管走過來俯伏在耶穌腳前，求耶穌到他家去，因為他有一個大約十二歲的獨生女快要死了。
42 耶穌前去雅魯家的時候，人群擁擠著祂。
患血漏病婦人的信心
43 有一個患了十二年血漏病的婦人耗盡了積蓄，到處求醫，但沒有人能醫治她。 44 婦人擠到耶穌的背後，摸了一下祂衣服的穗邊，她的血漏立刻止住了。
45 耶穌問：「誰摸我？」沒有人說摸過祂。
彼得說：「老師，眾人都在擁擠你。」
46 耶穌卻說：「一定有人摸了我，因為我感覺有能力從我身上出去。」
47 那婦人知道無法隱瞞，就戰戰兢兢地走過來，俯伏在耶穌腳前，把她摸了耶穌的衣裳後頑疾馬上痊癒的始末當眾說了出來。
48 耶穌對她說：「女兒，你的信心救了你！安心回去吧。」
雅魯女兒死而復活
49 耶穌還在說話的時候，有人從雅魯家趕來，對雅魯說：「你的女兒已經死了，不用麻煩老師了。」
50 耶穌聽見，就對雅魯說：「不要怕，只要信。你的女兒一定會好的！」
51 到了雅魯家，耶穌只准彼得、雅各、約翰和雅魯夫婦跟祂進去。 52 屋內的人都在為那女孩哀傷哭泣，耶穌說：「不要哭，她沒有死，只是睡著了。」 53 眾人就譏笑祂，因為他們明明知道那女孩死了。 54 耶穌拉著那女孩的手，說：「孩子，起來！」 55 她的靈魂就回來了，她立刻站了起來。耶穌吩咐人給她東西吃。 56 她的父母非常驚訝，耶穌卻囑咐他們不要把這事傳開。
路加福音 8
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
撒种的比喻
8 此后，耶稣到各城镇去传扬上帝国的福音。同行的有十二使徒， 2 还有几个曾被邪灵和疾病缠身、现在已被医治的妇女。其中有抹大拉的玛丽亚，耶稣曾经从她身上赶出七个鬼， 3 还有希律的管家苦撒的妻子约亚拿，此外还有苏撒拿等其他妇女。她们用自己的钱财资助耶稣和门徒。
4 那时，人群络绎不绝地从各地聚集到耶稣面前，耶稣用比喻教导他们，说： 5 “有一个农夫到田里撒种，有些种子落在路旁，被人践踏，又被飞鸟吃掉了； 6 有些落在盖着浅土的石头地上，因水分不足，幼苗刚长出来就枯萎了； 7 有些落在荆棘丛中，荆棘长起来便把幼苗挤住了； 8 有些落在沃土里，发芽生长，结出百倍的果实。”耶稣讲完这番话后，高声说：“有耳可听的，就要留心听。”
9 门徒请耶稣解释这比喻的意思， 10 耶稣便说：“上帝国的奥秘只让你们知道，对其他人，我就用比喻，使他们看却看不见，听却听不明白。 11 这个比喻的意思是这样，种子代表上帝的道， 12 种子落在路旁是指人听了道，随后魔鬼来把道从他们心里夺走了，不让他们相信并得救。 13 种子落在盖着浅土的石头地上是指人听了道，欣然接受了，但是没有根基，只是暂时相信，一遇到试炼就放弃了。 14 种子落在荆棘丛中是指人听了道，后来被生活的忧虑、钱财和享乐缠住了，以致结不出成熟的果实来。 15 种子落在沃土里则是指人听了道，用诚实良善的心坚忍持守，至终结出果实。
点灯的比喻
16 “没有人点了灯，却用器皿把它盖起来或放到床底下，而是放在灯台上，使进来的人能见到光。 17 掩盖的事终会暴露出来，隐藏的秘密终会被人知道。 18 因此，你们要留心听，因为凡有的，还要给他更多；凡没有的，连他自以为已经拥有的也要被夺去。”
耶稣的亲属
19 这时，耶稣的母亲和兄弟来找祂，由于人太多，他们无法靠近耶稣， 20 有人就对祂说：“你的母亲和兄弟在外面想见你。” 21 耶稣却说：“听见上帝的话语并遵行的人就是我的母亲、我的弟兄。”
平静风浪
22 有一天，耶稣对门徒说：“我们到湖的对岸去吧。”于是他们坐船前往对岸。 23 途中耶稣睡着了。不料湖上忽然狂风大作，船灌满了水，非常危险。 24 门徒过来唤醒耶稣，说：“主啊，主啊！我们快淹死了！”
耶稣醒来，就斥责风浪，顿时风平浪静了。
25 耶稣对他们说：“你们的信心在哪里呢？”
门徒又惊又怕，彼此议论说：“祂究竟是谁？一发命令，连风浪都听祂的！”
格拉森赶鬼
26 他们渡过加利利湖，到了格拉森地区。 27 耶稣上岸后，迎面遇见当地一个被鬼附身的人。那人长期赤身露体，不住在房屋里，只住在墓穴中。 28 他一见到耶稣，就扑倒在祂面前，高声喊叫：“至高上帝的儿子耶稣，我和你有什么关系？求求你，不要折磨我！” 29 这是因为耶稣已命令污鬼离开那人。那人多次被污鬼操纵，人们用铁链脚镣把他锁起来看管，他竟把锁链也扯断，被鬼催逼到荒野。
30 耶稣问他：“你叫什么名字？”
他说：“我叫‘群’。”因为有一大群鬼附在那人身上。 31 鬼不断央求耶稣不要叫它们到无底坑去。
32 当时有一大群猪在附近山坡上觅食，污鬼就央求耶稣准许它们进入猪群，耶稣答应了。 33 于是那群鬼便离开那人，进入猪群。那群猪就一路奔下陡坡，冲进湖里淹死了。 34 放猪的人见此情形拔腿就跑，把这事告诉了城里和乡下的人。 35 人们出来看个究竟，到了耶稣那里，发现那曾被鬼附身的人衣着整齐、神智清醒地坐在耶稣脚前，他们都很害怕。 36 目击者把事情的始末告诉了他们。 37 格拉森地区的居民都十分害怕，请求耶稣离开那里，耶稣便乘船回去了。
38 那从前被鬼附身的人恳求跟耶稣同行，耶稣却对他说： 39 “你回家吧，把上帝为你所行的奇事告诉别人。”他就回去，走遍全城，四处传扬耶稣为他所行的奇事。
雅鲁求救
40 耶稣回到对岸，受到等候在那里的百姓的欢迎。 41 一个名叫雅鲁的会堂主管走过来俯伏在耶稣脚前，求耶稣到他家去，因为他有一个大约十二岁的独生女快要死了。
42 耶稣前去雅鲁家的时候，人群拥挤着祂。
患血漏病妇人的信心
43 有一个患了十二年血漏病的妇人耗尽了积蓄，到处求医，但没有人能医治她。 44 妇人挤到耶稣的背后，摸了一下祂衣服的穗边，她的血漏立刻止住了。
45 耶稣问：“谁摸我？”没有人说摸过祂。
彼得说：“老师，众人都在拥挤你。”
46 耶稣却说：“一定有人摸了我，因为我感觉有能力从我身上出去。”
47 那妇人知道无法隐瞒，就战战兢兢地走过来，俯伏在耶稣脚前，把她摸了耶稣的衣裳后顽疾马上痊愈的始末当众说了出来。
48 耶稣对她说：“女儿，你的信心救了你！安心回去吧。”
雅鲁女儿死而复活
49 耶稣还在说话的时候，有人从雅鲁家赶来，对雅鲁说：“你的女儿已经死了，不用麻烦老师了。”
50 耶稣听见，就对雅鲁说：“不要怕，只要信。你的女儿一定会好的！”
51 到了雅鲁家，耶稣只准彼得、雅各、约翰和雅鲁夫妇跟祂进去。 52 屋内的人都在为那女孩哀伤哭泣，耶稣说：“不要哭，她没有死，只是睡着了。” 53 众人就讥笑祂，因为他们明明知道那女孩死了。 54 耶稣拉着那女孩的手，说：“孩子，起来！” 55 她的灵魂就回来了，她立刻站了起来。耶稣吩咐人给她东西吃。 56 她的父母非常惊讶，耶稣却嘱咐他们不要把这事传开。
路加福音 8
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
跟从耶稣的妇女
8 不久，耶稣周游各城各村讲道，宣扬 神的国的福音，和他在一起的有十二个门徒， 2 还有几个蒙了医治、脱离污鬼与疾病的妇女，其中有称为抹大拉的马利亚，曾有七个鬼从她身上赶出来； 3 有希律的管家古撒的妻子约亚拿，又有苏珊娜，和许多别的妇女，她们都用自己的财物供给耶稣和门徒。
撒种的比喻(A)
4 当时有许多人聚在一起，还有人从各城来到耶稣那里，他就用比喻说： 5 “有一个撒种的出去撒种，撒的时候，有的落在路旁，被人践踏，或给空中的小鸟吃掉。 6 有的落在石头地上，一长出来就枯萎了，因为得不着滋润。 7 有的落在荆棘丛中，荆棘也一齐生长，把它挤住了。 8 有的落在好土里，就生长起来，结出百倍的果实。”他说了这些话，就大声说：“有耳可听的，就应当听！”
用比喻的目的(B)
9 门徒问他这比喻是甚么意思。 10 他说：“ 神的国的奥秘，只给你们知道，对别人就用比喻，叫他们看却看不见，听却听不明白。
解释撒种的比喻(C)
11 “这比喻是说，种子是 神的道， 12 那落在路旁的，就是人听了，魔鬼随即来到，从他们心里把道夺去，恐怕他们相信就得救了。 13 那落在石头地上的，就是人听了，欢欢喜喜地接受，但是没有根，不过是暂时相信，一旦遭遇试炼，就倒退了。 14 那落在荆棘里的，就是人听了，走开以后，被今世的忧虑、财富和宴乐挤住了，结不出成熟的子粒来。 15 但那落在好土里的，就是人用诚实良善的心来听，把道持守住，忍耐着结出果实。
隐藏的事终必显露(D)
16 “没有人点灯用器皿盖上，或放在床底下，而是放在灯台上，叫进来的人都看得见光。 17 因为没有甚么隐藏的事不被显明，也没有甚么掩盖的事不被人知道而暴露出来。 18 所以你们应当留心怎样听，因为凡是有的，还要给他；凡是没有的，连他自以为有的，也要拿去。”
谁是耶稣的母亲和弟兄(E)
19 耶稣的母亲和弟弟来到他那里，因为人多，不能到他跟前。 20 有人转告耶稣：“你母亲和弟弟站在外面要见你。” 21 他回答他们：“听了 神的道而遵行的人，才是我的母亲，我的弟兄。”
平静风浪(F)
22 有一天，耶稣和门徒上了船，他对他们说：“我们渡到海那边去吧。”他们就开了船。 23 船行的时候，他睡着了。海上忽然起了狂风，他们全身湿透，非常危险。 24 门徒来叫醒耶稣，说：“主啊！主啊！我们没命了！”他醒过来，斥责风浪，风浪就止息、平静了。 25 耶稣对他们说：“你们的信心在哪里？”他们又惧怕、又希奇，彼此说：“这到底是谁？他吩咐风浪，连风浪也听从他。”
治好鬼附的格拉森人(G)
26 船到了格拉森人的地区，正在加利利对面， 27 耶稣一上岸，就有城里一个被鬼附着的人，迎面而来。这人已经很久不穿衣服，不住在家里，只住在坟墓里。 28 他一见耶稣，就俯伏喊叫，大声说：“至高 神的儿子耶稣，我跟你有甚么关系呢？求你不要使我受苦。” 29 因为耶稣已经吩咐这污灵从那人身上出来。原来这污灵屡次抓住那人；那人被铁链和脚炼捆锁，而且有人看管，他竟挣断锁炼，被鬼赶入旷野。 30 耶稣问他：“你叫甚么名字？”他说：“群。”因为进到那人里面的鬼很多。 31 他们求耶稣，不要赶他们进入无底坑。
32 那里有一大群猪正在山上吃东西。他们求耶稣准他们进入猪群。耶稣准许了， 33 鬼就从那人身上出来，进入猪群，猪群闯下山崖，掉在海里淹死了。 34 放猪的看见所发生的事就逃跑，到城里和各乡村把这事传开。 35 众人就出来看发生了甚么事。来到耶稣那里，看见鬼已经离开的那人，穿著衣服，神志清醒，坐在耶稣脚前，他们就害怕。 36 当时看见的人，把被鬼附过的人怎样得到医治，说给他们听。 37 格拉森一带的人，都要求耶稣离开他们，因为他们大大惧怕。他就上船回去了。 38 鬼已经离开的那人求耶稣，要跟他在一起；但耶稣打发他回去，说： 39 “你回家去，述说 神为你作了怎样的事。”他就走遍全城，传讲耶稣为他作了怎样的事。
治好血漏病的女人(H)
40 耶稣回来的时候，众人欢迎他，因为大家都在等着他。 41 那时，有一个人来了，名叫叶鲁，他是一位会堂主管。他俯伏在耶稣脚前，求他往他家里去， 42 因为他的独生女，约十二岁，快要死了。耶稣去的时候，群众拥挤着他。
43 有一个女人，患了十二年的血漏病，在医生手里花尽了全部养生的（有些抄本无“在医生手里花尽了全部养生的”一句），没有一个能医好她。 44 她从后面挤来，一摸耶稣的衣裳繸子，血就立刻止住。 45 耶稣说：“摸我的是谁？”众人都不承认。彼得说：“主啊，众人都拥挤着你。” 46 耶稣说：“必定有人摸我，因为我觉得有能力从我身上出去。” 47 那女人见不能隐瞒，就战战兢兢地过来，向他俯伏，把摸他的缘故，和怎样立刻得到医治，在众人面前说出来。 48 耶稣对她说：“女儿，你的信使你痊愈了，平安地去吧！”
使女孩复活(I)
49 耶稣还在说话的时候，有人从会堂主管家里来，说：“你的女儿死了，不必再劳动老师了。” 50 耶稣听见就对他说：“不要怕，只要信，她必得痊愈。” 51 到了那家，除了彼得、约翰、雅各和女孩的父母以外，他不准任何人同他进屋里去。 52 众人都在为女孩痛哭哀号，他说：“不要哭！她不是死了，而是睡着了。” 53 他们明知女孩已经死了，就嘲笑他。 54 他进去拉着女孩的手，叫她说：“孩子，起来！” 55 她的灵魂回来了，她就立刻起来。耶稣吩咐给她东西吃。 56 她父母非常惊奇。耶稣嘱咐他们不要把他所作的事告诉人。
Luke 8
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 8
Hearing the Word
The Women Who Minister to Jesus. 1 After that, Jesus journeyed through towns and villages preaching and proclaiming the kingdom of God. Traveling with him were the Twelve, 2 [a]as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; 3 Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza; Susanna; and many others. These women provided for them out of their own resources.
The Parable of the Sower.[b] 4 When a large crowd gathered together as people from every town flocked to him, he said in a parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some of the seed fell along the path and was trampled upon, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, it withered for lack of moisture. 7 Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 And some fell onto good soil, and when it grew it produced a crop of a hundredfold.”
After saying this, he cried out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
The Purpose of Parables.[c] 9 Then his disciples asked him what the parable meant. 10 He said, “To you has been granted knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but for others they are made known in parables, so that
‘looking they may not see,
and hearing they may not understand.’
11 The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower.[d]“The meaning of the parable is this. The seed is the word of God. 12 The seed on the path represents those who hear, but then the devil comes and carries off the word from their hearts so that they may not come to believe and be saved. 13 Those on rock are the ones who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a short while, but in time of trial they fall away.
14 “That which has fallen among thorns are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the concerns and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. 15 But that which is on rich soil are the ones who, when they have heard the word with a good and upright heart, keep it and yield a harvest through their perseverance.
16 The Parable of the Lamp.[e]“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a pot or places it under a bed. Rather he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing is concealed that will not be made known and brought to light. 18 Take great care, therefore, about how you listen. For to the one who has, more will be given; from the one who does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.”
19 The True Family of Jesus.[f] Then his mother and his brethren arrived, looking for him, but they could not get near him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and your brethren[g] are standing outside, and they want to see you.” 21 But he replied, “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
The Progressive Revelation of the Mystery of Jesus
22 Jesus Calms the Storm.[h] One day, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And so they set forth, 23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. Then a windstorm swept down on the lake. As a result, the boat was becoming filled with water, and they were in danger. 24 So they went to him and awakened him, saying, “Master! Master! We are perishing!”
Then he awakened and rebuked the wind and the turbulent waves. They subsided and there was calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were filled with fear and a sense of awe, and they said to one another, “Who can this be? He gives orders to the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
26 Jesus Casts Out a Legion of Demons.[i] Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 As he stepped ashore, he was approached by a man from the town who was possessed by demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes. Moreover, he did not live in a house but among the tombs.
28 When the man caught sight of Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you, do not torment me!” 29 For he had ordered the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times in the past it had seized him, and on such occasions they used to restrain him with chains and shackles, but he would manage to break loose and be driven by the demon into the wilds.
30 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.
32 Now on the mountainside a large herd of pigs was feeding, and they pleaded with him to let them go into the pigs. He allowed this. 33 The demons then came out of the man and entered the pigs. Thereupon the herd charged down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
34 When those tending the herd saw what had occurred, they ran off and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. 35 As a result, people came out to see what had happened. When they came near Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and in his right mind, and they were frightened.
36 Those who had been eye-witnesses to the incident told how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and went away.
38 The man from whom the demons had gone out pleaded that he be allowed to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home and give witness to what God has done for you.” He then departed, proclaiming throughout the town what Jesus had done for him.
40 Jesus Heals a Woman and Raises a Child.[j] When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they had all been waiting for him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, came forward. Throwing himself at the feet of Jesus, he pleaded with him to come to his house, 42 because he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. And as Jesus went forth, the crowds were pressing in on him.
43 There was a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years, but no one had been able to cure her affliction. 44 Coming up behind him, she touched the fringe of his cloak, and her bleeding stopped immediately.
45 Jesus then asked, “Who was it who touched me?” When everyone denied doing so, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are surrounding you and pressing closely upon you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I could sense power going out from me.”
47 When the woman realized that she had not escaped notice, she came forward, trembling, and knelt down before him. In the presence of all the people, she related why she had touched him and how she had been healed immediately. 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue leader and said, “Your daughter has died. Do not bother the Teacher any further.” 50 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Do not be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be saved.”
51 When he arrived at the house, he permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Everyone was weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Stop your weeping! She is not dead; she is asleep.” 53 They laughed at him because they knew that she had died.
54 However, Jesus took her by the hand and called out to her, “Little child, arise.” 55 Her spirit returned, and she stood up at once. Then Jesus directed that she be given something to eat. 56 Her parents were stunned, but he gave them strict instructions to tell no one what had happened.
Footnotes
- Luke 8:2 Some women belong to the group of disciples; this was an occurrence quite rare at that period. As for Mary of Magdala (Mary Magdalene), the expression “seven demons” suggests some violent illness with symptoms that were disconcerting for a woman.
- Luke 8:4 Since the time of the Prophets, harvesting was a current image of the Judgment (Joel 4:13). Sowing evokes the activity of Jesus. Jesus knows from experience that preaching the Gospel converts only hearts that are well disposed. Nevertheless, he underlines with optimism the growth of the seed: despite all risks and obstacles, the Word of God will make progress among human beings.
- Luke 8:9 At the moment, only the disciples are sensitive to the riches of the Gospel; the others do not yet have a free heart. See also note on Mt 13:11.
- Luke 8:11 In the meditation of the early communities, the parable of the sower becomes a lesson for the believer. In daily life, in trials, in the pleasures of life, the work of the demon is an obstacle to the Gospel. Jesus knows this. He also knows the generosity of which humans are capable. He puts us on guard but also calls us to make a persevering effort to let our life be transformed by his teachings.
- Luke 8:16 Are the mysteries of the kingdom definitively denied to others (v. 10)? No. The secret is not forever. Soon the disciples will bring the message to all people (see Lk 12:1-12). How will they receive it? We will be judged on the yield of the Word in our life (see Lk 19:25-26).
- Luke 8:19 The true family of Jesus is made up of those who hearken to the Word. Luke places this episode as a conclusion to the texts on receiving the Gospel. Belonging to Jesus is the joy of the believer.
- Luke 8:20 Brethren: i.e., according to Hebrew idiom, close relatives. See note on Mt 12:46.
- Luke 8:22 God alone is master of the sea (see Pss 65:7; 89:10; 107:25-28). The authority of Jesus over the unleashed elements shows his power divine.
- Luke 8:26 The incident is meant to show that Jesus is stronger than all the forces of evil lumped together, the forces of Satan himself. Jesus goes to face these forces in a pagan region east of the Lake of Tiberias, where, it was thought, Satan must be reigning supreme. There is a herd of pigs there, animals unclean in Jewish eyes; the herd dashes over the cliff, signifying the return of the demons to their hell.
- Luke 8:40 This episode places before us two distressed people. The first is a father on the verge of losing his young daughter, with the rites of mourning under the specter of death already organized. The second is a woman humiliated by a sickness that carries the stigma of legal impurity, preventing her from participating in religious services and from approaching the Prophet (see Lev 15:19-27). Jesus intervenes in their distress and manifests his power and goodness, both of which are those of God. Nevertheless, he refuses to give his intervention a dramatic character; the only witnesses of the girl’s raising from the dead—described in the same way as the action of Elijah (see 1 Ki 17:17, 22)—will be apostles, who are no longer seeking miracles. Here then is the portrait of Jesus: he brings life to those who approach him with faith.
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
