Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Luke Chapter 8
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:1-3
8:1And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve,8:2and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 8:3and Joanna the wife of Chuzas Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered unto them of their substance.
November 26, 1922: Luke 8:1-3
What is the metaphysical meaning of Jesus going “about through the cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God”? This represents the work of the illumined I AM, as it goes through the various centers of the body with its Illumined thought of the omnipresent God.
What do the women mentioned in the lessons represent? The women represent the feminine phases of the soul.
What may we infer to have been the character of the “demons” that were cast out of these women? They were evidently demons of selfishness, because after they were healed, the women ministered unto others of their substance. This indicates a willingness to give, instead of retaining for self.
August 5, 1923: Luke 8:1-3
Define: “He went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve.” Jesus and his disciples represent the I AM and the twelve powers of man in each individual soul. By affirmation and prayer the I AM and the twelve spiritual powers are set into greater activity, and they begin their redeeming work in the different aggregations of thoughts, or “cities and villages.”
What do the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the others represent? These women represent innate love in its various activities.
What phase of love is represented by Mary Magdalene? Mary Magdalene represents love demonized by sense.
How does man handle this phase of love? Man casts out or denies from his subconscious mind all desire for sense expression in all its bodily avenues.
November 18, 1923: Luke 8:1-3
Who are the “twelve” who went about with Jesus while he was “preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God” to the different cities and villages? The term, the “twelve,” refers to the twelve fundamental faculties of the mind, of which the twelve disciples of Jesus are the historical representation.
What do the women “who ministered unto them of their substance” represent? Women represent the feminine or substance side of the soul. The third person in the trinity is the Spirit of truth, the divine Shekinah, the “Shining One,” the pure substance of God. All forms arise in this substance; it is the matrix of all forms and shapes in the universe, and it continues throughout their existence to be the source of their supply.
April 7, 1946: Luke 8:1-3
What help is properly given to others? Whatever helps others to be true to their inmost convictions. Training in the work of bearing witness to the Truth is legitimate always and, after training, helps one to begin actual work. Jesus taught His disciples and sent them out to practice what they had learned, meanwhile affirming success for them.
How should we view evil or error? As nonexistent as lightning after it has passed; a thing that is gone as completely as though it had never been, except that its effects remain to be done away with. What constructive attitude can we accord those whom we wish to help? That of warm friendliness. Silently also we can help them by visualizing victory over error for them, holding for them the thought of victory only.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:4-8
8:4And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable: 8:5The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it. 8:6And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 8:7And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it. 8:8And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:9-10
8:9And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. 8:10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; thatseeing they may not see,
and hearing they may not understand.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:11-15
8:11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 8:12And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. 8:13And those on the rock are they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 8:14And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 8:15And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
February 22, 1931: Luke 8:1-15
What is the metaphysical meaning of Jesus going “about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God”? This represents the work of the illumined I AM as it goes through the various centers in the body with its superconscious thought of the omnipresent God. grade.
What do the women mentioned in the lesson represent? The women represent the feminine phase of the soul.
What may we infer to have been the character of the “demons” that were cast out of these women? The demons were evidently demons of selfishness, because, after they were healed, the women ministered unto others of their substance. This indicates a willingness to give, instead of retaining for self.
In the parable of the sower, to what is the kingdom compared? In the parable of the sower, the kingdom is compared to soil, or substance. Jesus interpreted this parable for His disciples, hence we have only to meditate on His interpretation in order to gain a clear understanding of its meaning.
What is the seed? The seed is the word of Truth.
What is the soil? The soil in which the word is sown is the mind. The subconscious phase of mind is the universal substance that corresponds to the earthly soil.
May different kinds of seeds be sown in the soil of the mind? Many different kinds of seeds may be sown in the soil of the mind. A high thought is a seed sown in the soil of the kingdom of the mind. An intellectual thought is a seed sown on the intellectual plane. A sensual thought is a seed sown in the flesh. The fruits, or the crops obtained from these seeds, are conditioned by the character of the soil, or the type of mind, in which the seeds, or thoughts, find lodgment.
What did Jesus teach in regard to the real sowing of Truth? Jesus taught that the real sowing of Truth is from the one divine intelligence. “The seed is the Word of God.”
What happens when one sows seed in anything less than the deep, rich soil of the soul? When even good seed is sown in the unreceptive mind, in the mind that is ruled by shallow, materialistic interests, or in the mind that is filled with cares, pleasures, or the responsibilities of wealth, the harvest, if there is any, is of a very inferior grade.
What is the result when good seed is sown in good ground? Jesus said of this sowing: “And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Everyone desires a larger expression of the substance of Spirit, but the banner harvest comes only through careful, scientific, intensive cultivation of thought, feeling, and conduct.
November 24, 1940: Luke 8:4-15
Who is “the sower” referred to in this parable? Everyone who thinks in accord with Truth and who speaks a good or a true word is a sower according to this parable, which implies that the seed to be sown is good seed.
What is meant by the “way side”? It refers to the mind that from force of long habit follows a beaten track and is unreceptive to new ideas. New and unfamiliar ideas falling into such a mind receive no attention (are trodden under foot).
What type of mind corresponds to the “rock” on which the seeds germinated and then withered away from lack of moisture? The unretentive mind fits this description. One whose mind is unretentive, like a sieve, may receive the word with interest and attention, but through lack of power to concentrate on one subject and keep the thought centered on it, he allows the word spoken to him to slip out of mind and be lost. The unretentive mind lacks depth.
In what state of mind is the word “choked,” so that it fails of its proper effect? The cares, riches, and pleasures of this life all serve to choke the word and prevent its coming to fruition.
Why are such diverse influences as the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life named together as adverse to man’s growth in Truth? Because all serve to distract the thought from the truth that man seeks to instill into the mind. Thus he reaps little benefit from what he has received and undertaken to retain (he brings no fruit to perfection).
What is the “good ground” that brings forth fruit? This description applies to the receptive and retentive type of mind.
What other qualities are found in the mind that profits by true thoughts and words? Honesty, goodness of heart, and patience.
What preliminary conditions must the sower observe before Truth can take root in his mind and come to fruition in his life? The conditions of growth in the natural world must be paralleled in the mental realm. Matching the good soil must be a good quality of mind, and there must be faithful cultivation and care of the thought that the sower desires to have fill the mind.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:16-18
8:16And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but putteth it on a stand, that they that enter in may see the light. 8:17For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest; nor anything secret, that shall not be known and come to light. 8:18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:19-21
8:19And there came to him his mother and brethren, and they could not come at him for the crowd. 8:20And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 8:21But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these that hear the word of God, and do it.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:22-25
8:22Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake: and they launched forth. 8:23But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 8:24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 8:25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:26-39
8:26And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is over against Galilee. 8:27And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had demons; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in any house, but in the tombs. 8:28And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not. 8:29For he was commanding the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the demon into the deserts. 8:30And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many demons were entered into him. 8:31And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.
8:32Now there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they entreated him that he would give them leave to enter into them. And he gave them leave. 8:33And the demons came out from the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were drowned.
8:34And when they that fed them saw what had come to pass, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country. 8:35And they went out to see what had come to pass; and they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons were gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus: and they were afraid. 8:36And they that saw it told them how he that was possessed with demons was made whole. 8:37And 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. 8:38But the man from whom the demons were gone out prayed him that he might be with him: but he sent him away, saying, 8:39Return 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.
February 23, 1936: Luke 8:26-37
What does Jesus represent in this lesson? The “I” in man, the higher self or directive will, is represented in this lesson by Jesus.
What is the work of the higher self? The establishing of self-dominion is the task that each one's higher self must accomplish in him. Everyone who experiences the new birth must learn to cast the demons of sin and evil out of his mind, heart, and life.
Sin and evil are strongly entrenched in the subconsciousness of the natural man. What symbolizes this state? The country of Geraseres “which is over against Galilee,” is a symbol of the subconscious state of sin and evil. The energy of life (Galilee), when expressed on the lower levels, takes these forms.
How is man set free from this undesirable condition? The “I” or true self in man sets him free by speaking the freeing word of Truth with the authority of command.
From what legion of demons does man still have to be delivered? When he falls into a negative state of consciousness, man finds himself subject to countless fears. These are demons that must be overcome before he can know self-dominion.
Is falsity an unclean spirit? It is, because it cannot be identified with the good, and whatever is not good is identified with evil or uncleanness.
Is the freeing of man from habitual error an easy task? The hold of habitual error upon man is not easily loosened. Jesus, the directive will, did not immediately cast out the legion of demons from the possessed man. “He was commanding the unclean spirit to come out from the man,” when He asked the man's name, and the man replied in the character of the demons instead.
What do the herd of swine represent? Swine represent the lowest stratum of subconsciousness, which drops completely out of the life of man at the command of the higher self.
Jesus “entered into a boat, and returned” from the country of the Gerasenes at their request. What is the interpretation of this statement? The higher self, after it has descended into the subconsciousness and freed man from the hold of evil, returns to the conscious realm of everyday life, to resume dominion over man's thoughts and acts.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 8:40-56
8:40And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him; for they were all waiting for him. 8:41And 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 to come into his house; 8:42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
But as he went the multitudes thronged him. 8:43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any, 8:44came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately the issue of her blood stanched. 8:45And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were with him, Master, the multitudes press thee and crush thee. 8:46But Jesus said, Some one did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me. 8:47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 8:48And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
8:49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Teacher. 8:50But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole. 8:51And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother. 8:52And all were weeping, and bewailing her: but he said, Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth. 8:53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 8:54But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise. 8:55And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately: and he commanded that something be given her to eat. 8:56And her parents were amazed: but he charged them to tell no man what had been done.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-20-2014
