Luke 8:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

NIV: and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;

NASB: 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,

CSB: and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out of her);

NLT: along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons;

KJV: And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

NKJV: and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,

In the past couple chapters, Luke has mentioned the crowds that flock around Jesus (Luke 6:17; 7:11). Here, he focuses on a smaller group: the women who financially support Jesus' ministry.

Josephus records the account of Herod the Great's youngest brother's wife along with other women who followed and financially supported anti-Herodian Pharisees. Luke, Mark, and Matthew mention Jesus criticizing the way Pharisees win financial support from women, saying they steal the homes of widows (Luke 20:47; Mark 12:40; Matthew 23:14). So, powerful and rich women supporting teachers is not a new phenomenon, but these appear to be the first to travel with their rabbi.

Although this is the first mention of these women, it is not the last. Mary Magdalene witnesses Jesus' death on the cross (Matthew 27:55–56). She also saw Jesus' dead body placed in the tomb (Matthew 27:57–61). Mary Magdalene and Joanna are among the small group that witnesses the empty tomb (Luke 24:1–10). And Mary is the first to see the risen Jesus and attest to His resurrection (John 20:11–18). In his confession of faith, Paul lists four key events: Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and appearance (1 Corinthians 15:3–5). Mary Magdalene is the only named person recorded to have witnessed all four.

Magdalene is believed to reference the town of Magdal Nunaja—"Fishtower"—or Magdala on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Mark 16:9 also mentions Mary's previous possession, but it's important to note that nothing in Scripture ties Mary to the sinful woman of Luke 7:37–38 except proximity in the text.

Luke 8:1–3 completes the prior chapter's stories about those lacking advantaged positions in society who have faith in Jesus and welcome His blessings. Women in the ancient world did not have the respect of their culture. Even so, several use their financial resources to fund Jesus' ministry. They are like the sower who plants seeds in fertile ground and the lamp that shines from a stand (Luke 8:4–18). The synopsis of Jesus' travels is also recorded in Matthew 9:35, but the introduction of Jesus' supporters is unique to Luke.

Luke 8 includes portions of three sections of Jesus' Galilean Ministry. The women who support Jesus' ministry bridge the faithful outcasts of chapter 7 to the sower who spreads the news of God's kingdom (Luke 8:1–3). Luke 8:4–18 includes the parables of the sower and the lamp under the jar. These illustrate the importance of hearing Jesus' message with a mind to believe and obey. Luke 8:19–56 presents different faith reactions when Jesus' life, power, and authority elicit questions about His identity.

This passage continues Luke's pattern in the account of Jesus' Galilean ministry: alternating calls to discipleship with stories that describe the discipleship He expects. In Luke 6:17, Jesus transitioned from calling and training the Twelve to a more general call; in Luke 7, Jesus interacted specifically with those with less privilege in society. Chapter 8 reveals how people react when Jesus reveals who He is, mostly through miracles. In Luke 9:18–50, Jesus returns to intense discipleship of the Twelve to give them courage and faith, preparing them for the journey to Jerusalem and what they will witness there.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.