New Testament
Luke 8:38
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The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,
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Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
What Luke 8:38 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see a man who had been possessed by demons and was now healed by Jesus. He expresses a strong desire to follow Jesus and be with Him, likely out of gratitude and a newfound sense of peace. However, Jesus tells him to go back to his home and share what God has done for him. This interaction highlights the importance of sharing one's testimony and the transformative power of Jesus in a person's life. The man’s desire to stay with Jesus reflects a common human longing for connection and support after experiencing profound change. Yet, Jesus redirects him to his community, emphasizing that his healing is not just for himself but also for others to witness and understand the power of God. This moment illustrates the balance between personal faith and communal responsibility, as the man is called to be a witness to others about the mercy he received.
How to apply Luke 8:38 to your life
This verse encourages us to share our personal stories of faith and healing with others. Just as the healed man was instructed to tell others about his experience, we too can inspire and uplift those around us by sharing how God has worked in our lives. Our testimonies can lead others to seek Jesus.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Freeing a Man from Demons (Luke 8:26–39)
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Photo: Gary Todd (Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D.), via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Source. Location: Southern end of the Temple Mount, Jerusalem Old City. Resized for the web.
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Plain Meaning
The man who had just been freed from the devils wanted to go with Jesus. He asked to stay by Jesus's side. But Jesus turned him away — not as a rejection, but with a purpose. The next verse shows what that purpose was: Jesus sent him home to tell others what God had done for him.
Read It in Context
The crowd from the surrounding area had just asked Jesus to leave, because they were afraid after seeing the pigs destroyed. Jesus was getting back into the boat to go. The healed man did not want to be left behind among people who had feared and rejected him.
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At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 8:38 mean?
Luke 8:38 describes a man who was healed from demon possession and wanted to follow Jesus. However, Jesus instructed him to return home and share his story, highlighting the importance of sharing personal experiences of healing and faith with others.
What is the significance of the healed man's request in Luke 8:38?
The healed man's request to follow Jesus shows his gratitude and desire for connection after experiencing transformation. Jesus' response emphasizes that his healing is not just for himself but also serves a greater purpose in sharing God's power with his community.
What does Jesus' response in Luke 8:38 teach us?
Jesus' response teaches us about the importance of community and sharing our testimonies. It reminds us that our personal experiences of faith can inspire and uplift others, encouraging them to seek God.
What themes are present in Luke 8:38?
Key themes in Luke 8:38 include healing, testimony, faith, community, obedience, and transformation. These themes illustrate the impact of Jesus' work in an individual's life and the call to share that impact with others.
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