Luke 8 22

Luke 8:22 kjv

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

Luke 8:22 nkjv

Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side of the lake." And they launched out.

Luke 8:22 niv

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out.

Luke 8:22 esv

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side of the lake." So they set out,

Luke 8:22 nlt

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and started out.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 22 Meaning

Luke 8:22 describes Jesus initiating a journey across the Sea of Galilee with His disciples by boat. This verse sets the stage for a critical event that immediately follows: Jesus calming a furious storm. It highlights Jesus's leadership and the disciples' immediate obedience, signaling a shift from a period of teaching to a demonstration of divine authority over nature. The command to cross "to the other side" points towards new ministry territory and implicitly prepares the disciples for challenging circumstances ahead.

Luke 8 22 Context

This verse immediately follows a significant block of Jesus's teaching, specifically the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-8) and its interpretation (Luke 8:9-15), along with parables about the lamp on a stand and hearing God's word (Luke 8:16-21). In these prior verses, Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding, receiving, and obeying the word of God. Verse 22 acts as a transitional point, moving the narrative from teaching on land to a journey that will soon demonstrate Jesus's divine power in action.

The setting, the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake of Gennesaret), was a bustling center of fishing and travel. It was also notorious for sudden, violent storms due to its geographical depression. The immediate subsequent verses (Luke 8:23-25) reveal the storm that arises, creating a direct test of the disciples' faith and a powerful revelation of Jesus's authority. Going to "the other side" often implied crossing into the Gentile territory of the Decapolis, foreshadowing Jesus's ministry beyond purely Jewish regions, specifically the healing of the demon-possessed man in the country of the Gerasenes/Gadarenes (Luke 8:26-39).

Luke 8 22 Word analysis

• Now it happened (Καὶ ἐγένετο - Kai egeneto):

  • This is a distinctive literary device frequently used by Luke (over 50 times in his Gospel alone).
  • It serves as a strong narrative connector, signaling a new event or a transition in the storyline without implying a strict chronological sequence from the preceding text.
  • It emphasizes the divinely ordained nature of events as they unfold within God's larger plan.

• on one of those days (ἐν μιᾷ τῶν ἡμερῶν - en mia tōn hēmerōn):

  • An indefinite but common temporal phrase in the Gospels.
  • It implies a historical occurrence, rooted in actual time, yet it does not specify an exact date, emphasizing the nature of the event itself rather than its precise timing within a strict chronology.

• that He (αὐτὸς - autos):

  • Refers directly to Jesus, establishing Him as the central figure and initiator of the action.
  • His divine authority and leadership are subtly conveyed even in this simple pronoun.

• and His disciples (καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ - kai hoi mathētai autou):

  • Highlights the inclusion of the chosen followers in this experience.
  • This journey is a shared experience of discipleship, involving both Jesus's direction and their participation.

• went into a boat (ἀνέβη εἰς πλοῖον - anebē eis ploion):

  • A typical means of transport across the Sea of Galilee.
  • Symbolically, the boat can represent the Church, and this journey, the life of believers with Christ, navigating through life's challenges.

• and He said to them (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς - kai eipen autois):

  • Underscores Jesus's initiative and spoken command.
  • His words are not suggestions but authoritative directives, demanding a response from His followers.

• 'Let us go over' (Διαβῶμεν - Diabōmen):

  • This is a hortatory subjunctive in Greek, an exhortation or an urgent invitation for a shared action.
  • Jesus involves His disciples in His plans, inviting them to participate rather than merely dictating to them. It is a shared venture.

• 'to the other side' (εἰς τὸ πέραν - eis to peran):

  • Refers to the opposite shore of the Sea of Galilee, specifically the eastern, predominantly Gentile, region.
  • This journey symbolizes not just a geographical shift but a potential move into new spiritual territory, expanding the scope of His ministry, and setting the stage for encounters that challenge conventional norms.

• 'of the lake' (τῆς λίμνης - tēs limnēs):

  • Refers specifically to the freshwater body known as the Sea of Galilee.
  • The "lake" setting is significant, as it is a place known for its sudden, violent storms, foreshadowing the miraculous intervention to follow.

• And they launched out. (καὶ ἀνήχθησαν - kai anēchthēsan):

  • This phrase indicates their immediate and obedient response to Jesus's command.
  • It demonstrates the disciples' trust in Jesus's direction, despite the unknown challenges that might await them on the journey. They put their trust into action.

• He and His disciples went into a boat, and He said to them, 'Let us go over to the other side of the lake.' And they launched out. (Words-group analysis):

  • This entire sequence reveals the essence of discipleship: Jesus initiates the path, the disciples join Him, He gives a clear command with purpose ("Let us go over to the other side"), and they obey, committing themselves to the journey. This passage implicitly carries a polemic against reliance on human planning or strength, setting up the scene where human efforts are insufficient and divine power is paramount. The narrative highlights Jesus's sovereign will and purposeful direction.

Luke 8 22 Bonus section

• The progression from hearing (in the previous verses on parables) to doing (the disciples' immediate launching out) is a key Lucan theme.
• The journey across the lake to "the other side" carries eschatological overtones, pointing to a crossing from the familiar into a new, potentially challenging, yet promised reality. This echoes the Old Testament passages of crossing water bodies like the Red Sea or Jordan River to enter promised land or deliverance.
• The fact that Jesus instructs "Let us go over" implies a divine necessity, reflecting His overall purpose to expand His ministry and demonstrate His kingship over all domains, whether teaching or nature.

Luke 8 22 Commentary

Luke 8:22 serves as a pivotal bridge, connecting Jesus's authoritative teaching with a powerful demonstration of His authority over creation. Having just spoken of hearing and doing God's word, Jesus immediately leads His disciples into a situation where their practical response to His word and their faith in His authority will be tested. Jesus's command, "Let us go over to the other side," is a deliberate, purposeful directive, not a casual suggestion. It signifies an intentional journey that places both Jesus and His disciples within a context ripe for revelation and challenge. The disciples' immediate launching out speaks volumes about their current state of following Jesus—a following that is obedient but perhaps not yet fully comprehending of the depth of His power, as the upcoming storm will reveal. This short verse is pregnant with meaning, foreshadowing a lesson in trust, a display of divine omnipotence, and the often turbulent, yet ultimately secure, journey of those who follow Christ. It establishes Jesus as the initiator, the guide, and the master even over the forces of nature, all by His authoritative word.