New Testament
Luke 8:39
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"Go home and tell everyone what God has done for you." So the man went through the whole city, declaring what Jesus had done for him.
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Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
What Luke 8:39 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus instructs a man who had been healed from demonic possession to return home and share his story. The man is encouraged to tell others about the great things God has done for him, specifically highlighting the transformative power of Jesus in his life. This act of sharing his testimony serves as a powerful witness to the community about the mercy and healing he experienced. By going through the city and declaring what Jesus had done, the man not only expresses gratitude but also spreads hope and faith among the people. His personal experience becomes a testimony that can inspire others to seek Jesus and understand His power. This verse emphasizes the importance of sharing our personal experiences of faith and healing, as they can have a profound impact on those around us.
How to apply Luke 8:39 to your life
We can learn from this verse the importance of sharing our personal stories of faith and healing. By telling others what God has done in our lives, we can inspire hope and encourage those who may be struggling. Our testimonies can serve as powerful tools for spreading the message of 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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Jesus
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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David's capital, the city of the temple, and the place where Jesus died and rose again.
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Plain Meaning
Jesus tells the healed man to go home and tell people what God has done for him. The man obeys — but notice what he actually says: Jesus told him to speak of what God had done, and the man goes and tells the whole city what Jesus had done. By spreading the same story with Jesus in God's place, the man is treating Jesus and God as one and the same.
Read It in Context
The man had been possessed by many devils for a long time. Jesus drove the devils out. Afterward, the man wanted to stay with Jesus, but Jesus sent him back instead. The crowd in the region had already asked Jesus to leave because they were afraid.
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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 8:39 mean?
Luke 8:39 conveys Jesus' command to a healed man to return home and share his experience of healing. It highlights the importance of sharing personal testimonies about God's work in our lives.
What is the significance of telling others in Luke 8:39?
Telling others in Luke 8:39 emphasizes the power of personal testimony in spreading hope and faith. The man's story serves as a witness to the transformative impact of Jesus in his life.
What does 'declare what Jesus had done for him' mean?
'Declare what Jesus had done for him' means to openly share his healing experience and the changes in his life due to Jesus' intervention, encouraging others to recognize Jesus' power.
How can we apply Luke 8:39 to our lives?
We can apply Luke 8:39 by sharing our own stories of faith and healing with others, which can inspire hope and encourage those who may be facing challenges in their lives.
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