And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

LUKE 8:1KJV
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Luke 8:1 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:1 mean?

Luke 8:1 shows Jesus carrying a public message from place to place rather than staying in one town. He announces the good news of the kingdom of God, and the twelve travel with him as he does so.

The verse is part of Luke’s account, not a direct speech by Jesus. Its mention of cities and villages gives a picture of a journey that reaches different kinds of settlements. “Afterward” moves the account on from the events in the preceding passage.

The Greek behind Luke 8:1

  • “preaching” — κηρύσσω (kēryssō): This word carries the sense of making a public announcement. It helps picture Jesus speaking openly as he travels.
  • “shewing the glad tidings” — εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō): This word means to bring or announce good news. The Greek presents the glad tidings as something Jesus actively announces.
  • “kingdom” — βασιλεία (basileia): This word can carry the sense of rule or reign, as well as a kingdom. Here it points to God’s rule, rather than simply naming a place.

Why Luke 8:1 matters

  • Jesus’ message concerns God’s rule. The phrase “kingdom of God” identifies the subject of the glad tidings, even though this verse does not give the details of what Jesus said.
  • The traveling group includes more than Jesus and the twelve. The mention of “the twelve” leads into verses 2–3, where Luke also names women who accompanied the group and supported them from their own means.

Where else these words appear

“went” Greek G1353 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

“afterward” Greek G2517 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
  • Acts 3:24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
  • Acts 11:4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

“village” Greek G2968 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
  • Mark 8:26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
  • Luke 13:22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

“tidings” Greek G2097 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Acts 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?