Luke 8:38
What does Luke 8:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 8:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 8:38 means
Luke 8:38 records that the man who had been freed wanted to stay with Jesus, but Jesus sent him away with instructions. The man’s desire to accompany Jesus shows gratitude and a desire for continued discipleship. Jesus’ refusal and direction—telling him to return to his house and declare what God had done—indicate that restored people have a mission in their own communities. Jesus values witness and the re-establishment of social ties; he commissions the man to be an evangelist to his people rather than become a follower in a transitory role.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the man from whom the demons were gone out prayed him that he might be with him: but he sent him away, saying,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the man from whom the demons were gone out prayed him that he might be with him: but he sent him away, saying,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the man from whom the evil spirits had gone out had a great desire to be with him, but he sent him away, saying,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the man from whom the demons had gone forth was beseeching of him to be with him, and Jesus sent him away, saying,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the man out of whom the demons had gone besought him that he might be with him. But he sent him away, saying,
Context
This verse follows the townspeople’s request that Jesus depart and presents a contrast: the rescued man’s immediate desire to remain with Jesus. Instead of accepting, Jesus gives him a role that grounds his testimony at home. This pivot emphasizes that conversion includes social restoration and public witness.
v.37And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them; for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into a boat, and returned.
v.38This passage
v.39Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee. And he went his way, publishing throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done for him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 9:13
But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:
- Psalms 116:16
O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.
- Exodus 12:25
And it shall come to pass, when ye are come to the land which Jehovah will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
- Psalms 78:3
Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us.
- Isaiah 63:7
I will make mention of the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah, and the praises of Jehovah, according to all that Jehovah hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
- Mark 5:18
And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him.
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