Luke 8 4

Luke 8:4 kjv

And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

Luke 8:4 nkjv

And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable:

Luke 8:4 niv

While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:

Luke 8:4 esv

And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable,

Luke 8:4 nlt

One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him:

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 4 Meaning

This verse sets the scene for one of Jesus' most significant parables, the Parable of the Sower. It describes Jesus being approached by a very large multitude, composed of people who had gathered from various towns and cities. In response to this vast assembly, Jesus began to teach them by means of a parable.

Luke 8 4 Context

Luke Chapter 8 opens with Jesus traveling through various cities and villages, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God, accompanied by the twelve apostles and certain women who supported His ministry. This widespread evangelistic activity had garnered significant attention. Verse 4 immediately follows this introduction to Jesus' broader ministry, serving as the direct prelude to one of His most famous teachings.

Historically, crowds were drawn to charismatic figures who offered hope, healing, or profound teaching, especially in times of political and spiritual tension under Roman occupation. Jesus, as a miraculous healer and authoritative teacher, naturally attracted large numbers of people from all walks of life and all accessible towns and cities. The common teaching method of the day often involved rabbis sitting to teach. Jesus frequently used natural amphitheaters or elevated positions (like a boat) to address large groups. His choice to teach "by a parable" (Lk 8:4) or "in parables" (Mt 13:3, Mk 4:2) was distinctive and would be elaborated upon later in this very chapter (Lk 8:9-10). The gathering from "every city" highlights the broad geographical reach and immense impact Jesus was already having across the region.

Luke 8 4 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction, often used in narrative Greek to continue a story or introduce a new event in sequence. It emphasizes continuity in Jesus' ministry.
• when a great multitude (συνελέγετο ὄχλος πολὺς - synelegeto ochlos polys):
  • συνελέγετο (synelegeto): Imperfect middle/passive of συνάγω (synago), meaning "to gather together" or "to assemble." The imperfect tense indicates continuous action or a process taking place – the crowd was in the process of gathering or had continued to gather, signifying its ongoing growth and significant size. This wasn't a one-time event but a continuous accumulation.
  • ὄχλος (ochlos): "crowd," "multitude," "throng." Often denotes a large, unorganized gathering of common people. It conveys a sense of popular appeal, though not necessarily organized discipleship.
  • πολὺς (polys): "much," "many," "great," "large." Combined with ochlos, it emphasizes the sheer size and magnitude of the gathering.
• had gathered (and they had come): These phrases are conveyed by the preceding συνελέγετο and the following ἐπιπορευομένων (epiporeuomenōn). The construction implies the crowds were gathering and were coming.
• to Him (πρὸς αὐτόν - pros auton): "Towards Him," "in His direction." Specifies Jesus as the focal point of the gathering. People actively sought out His presence.
• from every city (κατὰ πόλιν - kata polin): "according to city," or more idiomatically, "from city to city," "from every city/town." This emphasizes the broad geographical area from which people were converging on Jesus. It shows the wide spread of His reputation and the public's eagerness.
• He spoke (εἶπεν - eipen): Aorist active of λέγω (legō), "to say," "to speak." This marks a decisive action following the gathering of the crowd. It is a specific act of teaching.
• by a parable (διὰ παραβολῆς - dia parabolēs):
  • διὰ (dia): "through," "by means of." Indicates the method or instrument by which He spoke.
  • παραβολῆς (parabolēs): Genitive singular of παραβολή (parabolē). In the New Testament, this refers to a story that serves as an illustrative comparison or analogy. It could range from a simple proverb to an extended narrative, typically illustrating a spiritual or moral truth. It literally means "a placing alongside," signifying comparison. This indicates Jesus' characteristic and profound method of teaching.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "And when a great multitude had gathered": This phrase immediately establishes the setting: Jesus is not speaking to a small group of disciples, but to a vast, heterogeneous assembly. The use of the imperfect tense "had gathered" implies a continuous, increasing influx of people, showcasing Jesus' widespread and growing fame and appeal. It emphasizes the active effort of the people to be present.
• "and they had come to Him from every city": This amplifies the scale of the gathering. People were coming from diverse locales, demonstrating that Jesus' ministry was not confined to one area but had resonated across regions, prompting significant travel to see and hear Him. It signifies the immense public interest and the widespread nature of His burgeoning ministry.
• "He spoke by a parable": This clause highlights Jesus' preferred pedagogical method for the public. Instead of direct dogmatic statements, Jesus often employed illustrative stories, which served multiple purposes: to make complex truths relatable through common experience, to engage listeners' minds in deeper reflection, and sometimes to reveal truth only to those with "ears to hear," while concealing it from those with hardened hearts. This distinct method often required explanation, as seen later in this chapter.

Luke 8 4 Bonus section

The passive construction for "had gathered" (synelegeto) could also subtly hint at divine orchestration. While people actively came, their convergence was also part of a larger, divinely purposed gathering around the Son of God. The phrase "from every city" implicitly underlines the grassroots movement Jesus ignited, challenging established religious structures by appealing directly to the common populace. This democratic appeal of Jesus, rather than just teaching select groups or leaders, is consistently evident throughout the Gospels.

Luke 8 4 Commentary

Luke 8:4 serves as a critical introductory verse, immediately preceding the significant Parable of the Sower. It portrays Jesus as a central figure, attracting an enormous and diverse crowd from "every city" within the region. This drawing power underscores Jesus' burgeoning renown, rooted in His miraculous works and authoritative teaching (as previously noted in Luke's Gospel). The multitude's active "coming to Him" suggests their deliberate intent to engage with His message. In response to this vast assembly, Jesus deliberately chooses to communicate "by a parable." This highlights His unique teaching methodology—a method both accessible to common experience and profound in its spiritual implications. It demonstrates that Jesus adapted His teaching strategy to His audience and context, setting the stage for lessons that would reveal spiritual truths through relatable earthly stories. The parable acts as a means of instruction, often simultaneously illuminating and obscuring, based on the hearer's spiritual readiness and receptiveness.