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.

LUKE 8:39KJV
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Luke 8:39 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:39 mean?

Luke 8:39 records Jesus telling a man he had healed to go back to his own home and tell others about the great things God had done for him. The man then traveled through the whole city, sharing with everyone what Jesus had done for him.

Jesus is speaking to a man who had been freed from many demons. Instead of letting the man follow him as a disciple, Jesus sends him home to share his story locally. This verse highlights both the personal impact of Jesus’ actions and the importance of sharing one’s experience with others in everyday life.

The Greek behind Luke 8:39

  • "Return" (ὑπόστρεφε, hypostrephe, G5290) means to go back or turn back, emphasizing that Jesus wanted the man to resume his ordinary life, not join him on the road.
  • "Shew" (διηγοῦ, diēgou, G1334) carries the sense of narrating or describing in detail, suggesting the man was to give a full account of what had happened to him.
  • "Published" (ἐκήρυσσεν, ekēryssen, G2784) is often used for proclaiming or announcing publicly, showing that the man’s testimony was not just private but meant for the whole community.
  • The verse uses both "God" (θεός, theos, G2316) and "Jesus" (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous, G2424), subtly connecting Jesus’ actions with God’s work, which would have stood out to early readers.

Why Luke 8:39 matters

  • This verse clarifies that not everyone Jesus helped was called to leave everything and follow him physically; some were sent back to their communities to share their story.
  • The connection between what "God" had done and what "Jesus" had done hints at Jesus’ unique role and identity, which is a theme throughout Luke.
  • The man’s public testimony in his city shows how personal transformation can have a wider impact, spreading news of Jesus beyond the immediate circle of his followers.

Where else these words appear

“shew” Greek G1334 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
  • Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
  • Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

“Return” Greek G5290 · used in 35 verses

  • Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again,(for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
  • Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
  • Acts 8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

“published” Greek G2784 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
  • Romans 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

“whole” Greek G3650 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Mark 15:16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
  • Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: