Chapter 8

Ministering Women

1 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, aproclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,

2 and also asome women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: bMary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, aHerod’s bsteward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

Parable of the Sower

4 aWhen 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 1air 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, “aHe who has ears to hear, 1let him hear.”

9 aHis disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.

10 And He said, “aTo you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that bseeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

11 “Now the parable is this: athe 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; 1they 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 1perseverance.

Parable of the Lamp

16 “Now ano 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 “aFor 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; afor whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he 1thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

19 aAnd 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 awho hear the word of God and do it.”

Jesus Stills the Sea

22 aNow 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 bthe lake.” So they launched out.

23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on athe lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “aMaster, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and brebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and 1it 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 aThen 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, “1aWhat business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of bthe 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, “aLegion”; for many demons had entered him.

31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into athe 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 1the 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 athe 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 aat 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 ademon-possessed had been 1made 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 aBut the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might 1accompany 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 aAnd as Jesus returned, the 1people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.

41 aAnd there came a man named Jairus, and he was an 1bofficial of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house;

42 for he had an 1only 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 1cloak, 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, “aMaster, the 1people are crowding and pressing in on You.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that apower 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, ayour faith has 1made you well; bgo in peace.”

49 While He was still speaking, someone * came from the house of athe synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.”

50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “aDo not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be 1made 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 alamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but bis 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 ainstructed them to tell no one what had happened.