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Exegetical Considerations
3rd Sunday after Pentecost—June 20, 2004
Luke 8:26-39

1. What is the literary context of this passage?

a. How does that literary context impact a reading of this passage?

b. How does the geographical boundary crossing of 8:22-26 become a theological boundary crossing in this text?

c. How does the question of 8:25 set up the demonic acknowledgment/question in 8:28?

d. How do the devil’s testing in 4:1-12 and Jesus’ missional announcement in 4:18-19 serve as theological and missional backdrops for this text?

2. What is the 3-step form of a miracle story?

a. How does this 3-step form develop in this particular story?

3. How has the demon-possessed man lost all social and religious status?

4. How do Jesus and the demons battle for supremacy via name identification?

a. How does this have political overtones?

5. How do the demons try to negotiate with Jesus for their survival?

a. What is the theological geography of the abyss?

b. What are the ironical results of Jesus’ granting their wish of 8:32?

6. In 8:34-39 what are the two responses to Jesus’ triumph over the army of demons?

a. What is the significance of the 2-fold mention of fear in vv. 35,37? How does that recall 8:25?
b. How has the man’s plight been completely reversed through the mission/triumph of Jesus?

7. What commission does Jesus give to the healed man?

a. What is the significance of the shift from epoiesen ho Theos to epoiesen ho Iesous in v. 39?

8. How does one preach on an exorcism in a post-modern environment?

a. What are powers of evil that hold people in bondage in our day and age?

b. How does naming those powers help break their power?

c. How does the gospel seek to give status, health, restoration, and belonging to people who are held captive by contemporary evil powers that be?