Study 20. Luke 8:40-56

Notes

The crowd 'welcomed Him' (cf. the Gerasenes, who asked him to depart from them, v.37)

 Luke says that the people 'pressed round' Jesus, where his verb is that used of the thorns crushing out the wheat in the parable (8:14).

The woman touched the fringe of his garment, i.e. the tassel on the end of the square garment that was thrown over the left shoulder and hung down the back (Num. 15:38ff.)

 

Because this complaint made her ceremonially unclean (Lev. 15:25ff.), the sufferer was not permitted to take any part in temple worship or the like. Her uncleanness was readily communicable to other people (a touch was all that was needed, Lev. 15:27). Luke mentions spending money on physicians, but Mark (5:26-27) is more critical ("suffered much under many physicians...spent all she had...'no better but rather grew worse')

 

There is the first mention of the inner group of 3 in Luke (cf. Lk 8:51)

  6. Once again, Jesus revealed His power (see 8:40-56). What do you learn about Him as a person- His character and priorities - from this incident?

• He is never in a rush (v.43-48)
• He always has time for people in need (v.43-48)
• He is always kind and considerate, not aloof (v.48, 50, 51, 55)
  
• He looks to the whole person, not just to physical healing. 
• He is not interested in fame (v. 56, cf. the leper of 5:14)
  

7. What would it take to keep trusting Jesus in the situation Jarius faced?

 Great faith that Jesus was still in control even though there were obstacles in the path.

Jesus' words and continued calm presence must have given him confidence.

As in the case of the centurion's servant (7:2ff) , Matthew (9:18) compresses this account.

 

8. How would you have summarized what the disciples might have learned from the events of 8:22-56?

Jesus is powerful beyond our expectation. He does not empty the boat of water, but stills the storm. He can not only heal the sick, but raise the dead. He can heal and deliver when no one else can. We are to have faith in His power and compassion.

Jesus does not know everything (v.45) and His healing has a cost (v. 46, cf. 6:19)

 

For thought and discussion:

What obstacles tempted Jarius to abnadon all hope of help (see 8:41-53)?

• The possibility that Jesus might refuse to help (he 'implored' and fell at Jesus' feet) his only child.
  
• The crowded physical surroundings
  
• The delay of the woman
  
• The report from the messengers that it was 'too late'. 
• The discouragement of the laughing 'mourners'

Why did Jesus say, "she is not dead but sleeping"?

A wrong diagnosis? But 'knowing' (v.53) and Luke's statement that ‘her spirit returned’ (55)is against this.

From Jesus' POV her death is only sleep, since He will rouse her.

 

Why did the crowd laugh at Jesus? 

They thought Jesus could not accept the reality of the girl's death. But Jesus' presence was the true reality.

a. Why do you think Jesus made the woman confront Him publicly (see 8:45-48). What did the confrontation accomplish?

We can imagine her thoughts when confronted. She was fearful (Mk 5:33) ('trembling', 'falling down before Him'). Had she done wrong in touching Jesus? Would her cure be taken away?

1. Socially, disclosure was necessary for her that her cure be widely known to the community
2. Personally, as with the prostitute (7:48-50) His words seal her entire healing. "Go in peace" suggests salvation. He teaches her that it is not the touching, but her trust in Jesus, that heals.
   

b. What did it reveal about Jesus' character and His aims?

Jesus addressed her tenderly as "daughter", the only woman he is recorded as having addressed in this way. He went on to point out that it had been her faith that had saved her and he told her to go in peace. With the exception of the prefixed address, the words are identical with those addressed to the sinner in 7:50  (Morris)