Luke 8:39

Luke 8:39, in plain English

Jesus told him to go home and tell everyone how much God had done for him. So the man went through the whole town telling everyone what Jesus had done for him.

Why it's here

Notice the beautiful swap: Jesus said tell them what God did, and the man told them what Jesus did. He understood instinctively that Jesus' work was God's work. Your story of transformation is your most powerful testimony.

Who's speaking

Jesus gives His instructions, and the man carries them out.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus gave him one assignment: go home and share your story. The man became a walking testimony, telling everyone in his town about the incredible thing Jesus had done for him.

The scholarly reading

Jesus commands him to return home and diēgou ('describe/recount') hosa soi epoiēsen ho theos ('how much God has done for you'). Notably, the man proclaims what Iēsous did, equating Jesus' actions with God's, a significant christological implication.

Language and setting

The commission to testify about God's work, which the man fulfills by proclaiming Jesus' work, creates an implicit identification of Jesus with God. This man becomes the first evangelist to the Decapolis region, preceding any formal Gentile mission.

Voice

Jesus gives the command, and then Luke narrates the man's obedient response.

Significance

Jesus told him to go home and share what God had done for him. The man obeyed but went even further, proclaiming throughout the entire town what Jesus had done, equating Jesus' work with God's.

37Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart from them, because great fear had taken hold of them. So He got into the boat and started back.

38The man whom the demons had left begged to go with Jesus. But He sent him away, saying,

39“Return home and describe how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and proclaimed all over the town how much Jesus had done for him.

40When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.

41Just then a synagogue leader named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He begged Him to come to his house,

Read all of Luke 8 — A storm, a legion of demons, a bleeding woman, and a dead girl — Jesus moves through a world of chaos and brings order with a word or a touch.