Luke 8 40

Luke 8:40 kjv

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.

Luke 8:40 nkjv

So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.

Luke 8:40 niv

Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.

Luke 8:40 esv

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.

Luke 8:40 nlt

On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him.

Luke 8 verses

Luke 8 40 Meaning

When Jesus returned from His journey, a multitude of people warmly and eagerly received Him. This was because they had all been actively and expectantly waiting for His arrival, demonstrating their collective anticipation for His presence and ministry.

Luke 8 40 Context

Luke 8:40 immediately follows Jesus' powerful ministry across the Sea of Galilee in the Gentile region of the Gerasenes/Gadarenes (Luke 8:26-39), where He miraculously cast out a "legion" of demons from a man. The people of that region, however, responded to this extraordinary event with fear and asked Jesus to leave their territory. Thus, Jesus departed by boat. Luke 8:40 describes His return to the Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee, likely Capernaum or its vicinity, marking a stark contrast in reception: Gentile fear leading to rejection versus Jewish anticipation leading to an enthusiastic welcome. This verse also sets the immediate stage for two more significant miracles: the healing of Jairus's daughter and the woman with the flow of blood (Luke 8:41-56), which begin directly after this welcome. Broadly, Luke Chapter 8 portrays Jesus' supreme authority over various opposing forces—nature (calming the storm), demonic powers, disease, and death—all underscored by the diverse human responses to His ministry.

Luke 8 40 Word analysis

• So it was that when Jesus returned: This phrase signifies a specific moment of transition and importance in Jesus' journey and ministry. The Greek word for "returned" is hypostrephō (ὑποστρέφω), meaning "to turn back," "to come back," or "to go home." Its use highlights Jesus' intentional movement back across the sea after being asked to leave the Gentile region. It denotes a planned conclusion to His mission in one area and a purposeful resumption in another.
• the crowd: The Greek term is ochlos (ὄχλος), which refers to a large, often unorganized, popular assembly or multitude. It implies the common people, distinct from official leaders or a small group of disciples. This shows the general populace, driven by various needs and curiosity, continued to be drawn to Jesus.
• welcomed Him: The Greek word here is apedecheto (ἀπεδέχετο), an imperfect indicative form of apodechomai (ἀποδέχομαι). This verb means "to receive kindly," "to accept warmly," or "to welcome heartily." The imperfect tense indicates that this was not just a singular event but potentially a continuous or repeated act of welcoming Him, showing their ongoing eagerness and the warmth of their reception immediately upon His return. It starkly contrasts the request from the Gerasenes for Him to depart.
• for they were all waiting for Him: This provides the underlying reason for the crowd's warm reception. "All" (πάντες, pantes) emphasizes the universal anticipation among this gathered multitude. The phrase "waiting for" is prosdokōntes (προσδοκῶντες), a present participle from prosdokaō (προσδοκάω), meaning "to expect," "to look forward to," or "to anticipate eagerly." It conveys a state of active, expectant longing, rather than mere passive waiting. They were not simply there by chance but had deliberately positioned themselves, hopeful for Jesus' return, likely to seek healing, teaching, or simply witness His power.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him": This combination highlights an immediate and positive reaction to Jesus' return. It indicates His widespread popularity and the eager reception from the Jewish populace, a reception born out of need, wonder, and perhaps growing faith. This swift welcome provides a stark narrative counterpoint to His recent rejection by the fearful Gentiles, underscoring where His main ministry focus lay at this time and the openness of heart he encountered among many Jews.
  • "for they were all waiting for Him": This clause acts as a powerful explanatory justification for the fervent welcome. It underscores the active anticipation of the people. It demonstrates Jesus' fame and the impact of His prior ministry were such that people actively looked for His next arrival. This "waiting" reflects a widespread recognition of His authority and the benefits He offered, setting the scene for immediate appeals for healing and help, like that of Jairus. Their expectation created an environment where Jesus could continue His compassionate work unhindered.

Luke 8 40 Bonus section

The eager "waiting" of the crowd indicates the enduring fame and powerful impact of Jesus' earlier miracles and teachings in Galilee, compelling people to position themselves in anticipation of His return. This also suggests the practical challenges of Jesus' ministry, with continuous demands on His time and energy from eager multitudes seeking His attention immediately upon arrival. The immediate shift from rejection (by Gerasenes) to acceptance (by Galilean Jews) highlights a central theme in the Gospels: the varied responses to Jesus based on spiritual receptivity, or in some cases, fear and prejudice.

Luke 8 40 Commentary

Luke 8:40 is a significant narrative juncture, portraying Jesus' warm reception in contrast to His recent expulsion from the Gentile territory. It emphasizes the genuine, widespread popular enthusiasm for Jesus among the Jewish crowds, who actively and expectantly awaited His return. This eager welcome underscores the deep hunger among the people for divine intervention, healing, and teaching. It prepares the reader for the subsequent immediate engagement with human suffering, exemplified by the accounts of Jairus and the bleeding woman, validating that where there is a receptive and anticipatory heart, Jesus manifests His power and compassion. The verse demonstrates that many people recognized Jesus' unique identity and potential as a source of hope and change.

• Example: Just as a parched land eagerly anticipates rain, so the crowds in Galilee awaited Jesus, recognizing Him as the source of spiritual and physical refreshment they desperately needed.
• Example: The collective waiting suggests that faith, or at least hopeful curiosity, was not just individual but communal, building an atmosphere conducive to further miracles.