Albert Barnes on Luke 8

Every city and village. Of Galilee.

Preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.

That the kingdom of God was about to come, or that his reign in the gospel was about to be set up over men. Mt 3:2.

The twelve. The twelve apostles.

Infirmities. Sickness.

Mary called Magdalene. So called from Magdala, the place of her residence. It was situated on the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. To this place Jesus retired after feeding the four thousand. Mt 15:39.

Out of whom went. By the power of Jesus.

Seven devils. The word seven is often used for an indefinite number, and may signify merely many devils.

The expression is used to signify that she was grievously tormented, and rendered, doubtless, insane by the power of evil spirits. Mt 4:24. It has been commonly supposed that Mary Magdalene was a woman of abandoned character, but of this there is not the least evidence. All that we know of her is that she was formerly grievously afflicted by the presence of those evil spirits, that she was perfectly cured by Jesus, and that afterward she became one of his most faithful and humble followers. She was at his crucifixion (Jn 19:25) and burial (Mk 15:47), and she was among those who had prepared the materials to embalm him (Mk 16:1), and who first went to the sepulchre after the resurrection; and what is particularly interesting in her history, she was the first to whom the risen Redeemer appeared (Mk 16:9), and his conversation with her is exceeded in interest and pathos by no massage of history, sacred or profane, Jn 20:11-18.

(a) "certain woman" Mt 27:55 (b) "out of whom went seven devils" Mk 16:9, Lk 8:30

Herod's Steward. Herod Antipas, who reigned in Galilee. He was a son of Herod the Great. The word steward means one who has charge of the domestic affairs of a family, to provide for it. This office was generally held by a slave who was esteemed the most faithful, and was often conferred as a reward of fidelity.

Ministered. Gave for his support.

Of their substance. Their property; their possessions. Christians then believed, when they professed to follow christ, that it was proper to give all up to him--that is, to commit all that we have to his disposal; to be willing to part with it for the promotion of his glory, and to leave it when he calls us away from it.

(c) "ministered" 2Cor 8:9

See the parable of the Sower explained in Barnes Notes on Mt 13:1-23. Mt 13:1, and following.

(???) "among thorns" Jer 4:3

Mk 4:21, and Mk 4:22-25

(u) "No man" Mt 5:15, Mk 4:21, Lk 11:23

Mk 4:21, and Mr 4:22-25

(v) "nothing is secret" Eccl 12:4, Mt 10:26

Mk 4:21, and Mr 4:22-25

(w) "take heed" Jas 1:21-25 (x) "whosoever hath" Mt 13:12, 25:29, Lk 19:26 (1) "seemeth to have", or "thinketh that he hath"

Mt 12:46, and Mt 12:47-50

(y) "Then came to him" Mt 12:46, Mk 3:32

See this passage explained in the Barnes Notes on Mt 8:23 Mt 8:24 Mk 5:1, also Mk 5:2-20.

See this passage explained in the Notes on Mt 9:18-26 and Mr 5:21-43.

Mt 9:18, and Mt 9:19-26 Mk 5:21, and Mr 5:22-43