The word and its hearers
Luke 8:1–21FocusFruitful hearing
Connection to the wholeThe ministry setting, sower, lamp, and family sayings connect belonging and fruitfulness with hearing and doing God's word.
interpretation Luke 8:44
KJVCame behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
Read it in context
Two daughters restored
Start reading at Luke 8:40 (Luke 8:40 to Luke 8:56).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The woman's healing interrupts the journey to Jairus' house, joining two accounts of trust and restoration in one narrative.
- 8:40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.
- 8:41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
- 8:42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.
- 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,
- 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.
- 8:45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
- 8:46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
- 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
- 8:48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
- 8:49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
- 8:50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
- 8:51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
- 8:52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
- 8:53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
- 8:54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
- 8:55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
- 8:56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 8:1–8:56): The twelve and women supporters accompany Jesus; crowds hear parables. The disciples, a possessed man, Jairus's family, and a woman seeking healing feature in later scenes. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Two daughters restored. Read Luke 8:40 through Luke 8:56 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The woman's healing interrupts the journey to Jairus' house, joining two accounts of trust and restoration in one narrative. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Two daughters restored (Luke 8:40 to Luke 8:56). Start reading at Luke 8:40. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 8:40, Luke 8:56, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Other accounts of this event
Jairus's daughter and the woman with the issue of blood
Parallel accounts
The accounts differ in their narrative compression and the reported stage of the daughter's illness.
Related passages
- behind Luke 7:38
- touched Deut 22:12 Mark 6:56 Acts 5:15 Acts 19:12
- immediately Luke 13:13 Exod 15:26 Mal 4:2 Matt 8:3 Matt 20:34 John 5:13
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 8
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
Storm and deliverance
Luke 8:22–39FocusJesus' authority and human response
Connection to the wholeThe stilled storm and delivered man expose fear and contrasting responses, ending with a restored witness sent home.
interpretation FocusFaith amid delay and death
Connection to the wholeThe woman's healing interrupts the journey to Jairus' house, joining two accounts of trust and restoration in one narrative.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation The journey toward Jerusalem
Luke 9:51–19:27FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.