Big Idea: Jesus displays his unique power over both the natural elements and supernatural oppression.

Understanding the Text

Thus far, Jesus’s mission has been confined to the Jewish areas of Galilee, though we have heard of crowds from a wider area coming to hear him (6:17–18). The decision now to cross the lake takes him into Gentile territory on the eastern shore. It is only a brief visit, but it symbolizes the wider extension of the Jewish Messiah’s ministry to non-Jewish people, already signaled in 2:31–32; 4:24–27; 7:9.

This is the most spectacular and most fully narrated exorcism recorded by Luke. It thus brings to a climax a developing theme of the Gospel: Jesus’s power over supernatural evil (see 4:31–37, 41; 6:18; 7:21; 8:2). This power will soon become a central issue and sou…