King James Version

What Does Luke 8:40 Mean?

Luke 8:40 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

38

Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

39

Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

40

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

41

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

42

For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. Luke's transitional phrase marks Jesus' return from Gentile territory (the Gerasenes, v. 26-39) to Jewish Galilee. The Greek verb apodechomai (ἀποδέχομαι, "gladly received") indicates enthusiastic welcome, warm acceptance, and eager anticipation. The imperfect tense ēsan prosdokōntes (ἦσαν προσδοκῶντες, "were waiting") conveys continuous expectation—the crowd had been persistently looking for Jesus' return.

This reception contrasts sharply with the Gerasenes who begged Jesus to depart after He cast Legion into swine (v. 37). Jewish Galilee welcomed Him; pagan Gentiles rejected Him. Yet this enthusiastic crowd's reception was mixed—many sought healing, miracles, and teaching, but few understood Jesus' true mission. Their gladness was genuine but often superficial, focused on temporal benefits rather than spiritual salvation.

The phrase "they were all waiting" emphasizes universal anticipation. Jesus had become the focal point of regional attention. This sets the stage for two intertwined miracles—Jairus' dying daughter and the hemorrhaging woman—both demonstrating faith that moves beyond crowd enthusiasm to desperate, personal trust in Christ's power over disease and death.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus had crossed the Sea of Galilee to Gentile territory (Gadara/Gerasa) where He delivered the demoniac called Legion. The Gerasenes, disturbed by the loss of their swine herd and frightened by Jesus' supernatural power, requested His departure. Upon returning to Capernaum's region, Jesus found a dramatically different reception. The Jewish crowds in Galilee had witnessed His teaching authority, healing miracles, and exorcisms, creating intense popular interest.

This welcome, however, remained ambivalent. While multitudes sought Jesus for miracles and teaching, most failed to recognize Him as Messiah requiring repentance and faith. The same crowds who enthusiastically received Him in Luke 8:40 would later turn hostile, with religious leaders ultimately demanding His crucifixion. This pattern illustrates the danger of superficial religious enthusiasm disconnected from genuine conversion.

The waiting crowd included Jairus, a synagogue ruler whose desperation would drive him to publicly plead for Jesus' help—an act requiring profound humility given his religious status and Jesus' controversial reputation among Jewish leadership.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the contrast between Gentile rejection and Jewish reception of Jesus illustrate different responses to divine truth?
  2. What dangers exist in enthusiastic religious crowds that 'gladly receive' Jesus for benefits rather than bowing to His lordship?
  3. How can we examine whether our faith moves beyond superficial enthusiasm to genuine trust in Christ's authority over every area of life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
Ἐγένετο1 of 16

“it came to pass”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

δὲ2 of 16

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἐν3 of 16

“that when”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ4 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑποστρέψαι5 of 16

“was returned”

G5290

to turn under (behind), i.e., to return (literally or figuratively)

τὸν6 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦν7 of 16

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἀπεδέξατο8 of 16

“gladly received”

G588

to take fully, i.e., welcome (persons), approve (things)

αὐτόν9 of 16

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁ10 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄχλος11 of 16

“the people”

G3793

a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot

ἦσαν12 of 16

“they were”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

γὰρ13 of 16

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

πάντες14 of 16

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

προσδοκῶντες15 of 16

“waiting for”

G4328

to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await

αὐτόν16 of 16

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 8:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 8:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 5:21Matthew 9:1Mark 6:20Luke 5:1Proverbs 8:34John 5:35

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