Luke 8:40

Luke 8:40, in plain English

When Jesus came back across the lake, the crowd was thrilled to see Him. They had all been waiting for His return.

Why it's here

After being asked to leave by one community, Jesus was embraced by another. The contrast shows that the same Jesus provokes opposite reactions in different people.

Who's speaking

Luke describes Jesus' warm reception back on the other side of the lake.

Where it sits in the story

Back on the familiar side of the lake, Jesus received the opposite reaction from the Gerasenes. The crowd had been eagerly waiting for Him, and they welcomed Him back with open arms.

The scholarly reading

Upon Jesus' return to the western shore, the ochlos apedexato ('crowd welcomed') Him, for they were pantas prosdokōntas ('all expecting/waiting for') Him. The warm reception contrasts sharply with the Gerasene rejection.

Language and setting

The welcoming crowd on the Jewish side of the lake provides a stark contrast with the fearful Gerasene community, illustrating different responses to Jesus. This transition sets the stage for the Jairus and hemorrhaging woman narratives.

Voice

Luke narrates Jesus' return and the crowd's reception.

Significance

When Jesus returned across the lake, the crowd eagerly welcomed Him. They had been waiting for Him, creating a stark contrast with the Gerasene community that had just asked Him to leave.

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,

42because his only daughter, who was about twelve, was dying.

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.