And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,

LUKE 8:2KJV
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Luke 8:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:2 mean?

Luke 8:2 describes how certain women, including Mary Magdalene, had been healed by Jesus from evil spirits and illnesses, with Mary specifically mentioned as having seven demons cast out of her. This verse highlights that women who experienced Jesus’s healing became part of his group of followers.

In this part of Luke’s Gospel, the writer is listing people who traveled with Jesus as he taught and spread his message. The verse points out that Jesus’s ministry included not just men but also women who had personally experienced his power, showing their important role among his followers. Mary Magdalene is singled out, emphasizing the dramatic change in her life after being freed from severe spiritual oppression.

The Greek behind Luke 8:2

  • πνευμάτων πονηρῶν (pneumatōn ponērōn) — “evil spirits”: The phrase refers to harmful or unclean spiritual beings, not just general sickness. This shows the seriousness of what these women had suffered.
  • δαιμόνια (daimonia) — “devils” or “demons”: The word used for what left Mary Magdalene points to spiritual beings seen as causing harm or control, underlining the depth of her previous suffering.
  • θεραπευθείσαι (therapeutheisai) — “healed”: This word means being made whole or cured, not just physically but also spiritually, suggesting that Jesus’s help was complete and life-changing.

Why Luke 8:2 matters

  • Luke 8:2 clears up the idea that only men were close followers of Jesus, showing that women were also deeply involved and valued in his ministry.
  • The verse emphasizes the real, personal impact Jesus had on individuals, especially those who had suffered greatly, like Mary Magdalene.
  • This mention connects to the wider passage by setting up the group of supporters who traveled with Jesus, some of whom later play major roles in the story, especially at the crucifixion and resurrection.

Where else these words appear

“Magdalene” Greek G3094 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
  • Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
  • Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

“infirmities” Greek G769 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
  • Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

“healed” Greek G2323 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Matthew 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
  • Luke 8:43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

“Mary” Greek G3137 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
  • Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
  • John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.