Luke 8:19-56 part 1: Four soils of the sower and the Shema; four real-life examples

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When we studied Matthew, we talked about the comparison between the four types of soil and four types of disciples described in one rabbinical parable (m.Avot 5:15 in the Talmud):

1. Sponge = retains good and bad teaching
2. Funnel = retains nothing, all that goes in goes out
3. Strainer = retains bad teaching but not the good
4. Sieve = retains good teaching but not the bad

 Luke 8 notes

As more scholars come to the realization that Yeshua was also a Jewish rabbi, they are also finding connections between the four types of soil and the major elements of the daily prayer called the שמע Shem’a from Deut. 6:4–5, which Yeshua called “the first and great commandment” (Matt. 22:37–38 KJV):

שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָד׃ וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדֶךָ׃

Shem’a, Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu; Adonai ekhad. V’Ahavta et Adonai Elohekha b’khol-levav’kha, uvkhol-nafsh’kha, uvkhol-meodekha.

• Path = לֵבָב levav (H3824), heart
• Rocky soil = נֶפֶשׁ nefesh (H5315), soul
  • In Biblical Hebrew, nefesh is used for one’s “life, vitality and person,” i.e. well-being or safety. 
• Thorns = מְאֹד me’od (H3966), force, might, abundance
  • Me’od was understood by the sages as material wealth.

Why are the accounts in the Gospels arranged in a certain pattern? They are arranged thematically, not necessarily chronologically. It seems the four accounts in Luke 8 after the parable of the sower are those lessons lived out in Yeshua’s life.

‘Who are My mother and brothers’

In the first account after Yeshua’s parable of the sower, His mother, Miriam, and her other sons come to speak with Him (Luke 8:19–21; Matt. 12:46–50; Mark 3:31–35).

Parallel with the parable: Yeshua’s family responded to Him like seed falling along the path, on hardened ground. How could Mary and Yeshua’s brothers be so dull and insensitive to how God was moving Yeshua’s path? 

This fits with Yeshua’s explanation of why He taught in parables and why He often quoted from Isaiah 6 [see the discussion on the parable of the sower]. 

This incident must have had a profound effect on His earthly family because Ya’akov (James), one of Yeshua’s brothers through Miriam, went from being a scoffer to becoming the leader of the Messianic community. 

Storm on the lake

Lake Galilee area in relation to modern nations. The Gerasenes area is southeast of the lake. (click to enlarge)

In the next account, Yeshua calmed the storm on Lake Galilee (Luke 8:22–25; Matt. 8:23–27; Mark 4:36–41). 

The 12 saw the wages and heard the wind but didn’t notice that Yeshua was sleeping, except to be annoyed by it but Yeshua was loving God with all his spirit because He knew the Father’s will for Him and that nothing would happen to Him until His mission was finished. 

Miracles are a suspension of natural law. That is why they are a sign of God’s power. 

After Yeshua calmed the store, the disciples were afraid and amazed at Yeshua’s power but they were grateful for His power.

Confronting ‘Legion’ 

The next incident occurred just after the storm. In the cities on the southeastern shore of the lake, Yeshua and His disciples met a man possessed by a “legion” of demons (Luke 8:26-39; Matt. 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20). 

When Yeshua evicted the demons from the man, he put the demons into a herd of swine and the swine drowned themselves in the lake. The reaction of the people of the area to this miracle had some similarities to the disciples. The townspeople had been subjected to a reign of terror by this demon-possessed man but they were also afraid and amazed at how Yeshua calmed the man and removed the demons that were tormenting him. However,  instead of being happy about it, they told Yeshua to leave the area. 

There are people in this world who are in a similar situation. The word of God was snatched away, and it never took root at all.

Part 2 of the discussion on Luke 8: Lessons of the parable of the sower in the healing of the woman from 12 years of bleeding and the raising of the dead 12-year-old girl.

Reader: John Walsh. Speaker: Jeff Quackenbush. Summary: Tammy Quackenbush.