While the verse describes Jesus traveling and preaching, the subtle emphasis is on the twelve accompanying him, indicating their crucial role in this phase of his ministry as they began to learn and prepare for their own future proclamation of the kingdom. This wasn't just a solo mission; it was an apprenticeship in action.
Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a series of significant events, Jesus shifted from basing himself in Capernaum to embarking on extensive journeys throughout Galilee. He systematically visited cities and villages, proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom, accompanied by his twelve disciples who learned from him to prepare for their future ministry.
Jesus wasn't just wandering; Luke highlights a intentional change in his approach. What does this shift signify?
Luke uses the phrase "soon afterward" (which he also uses in Luke 1:3 to mean "in order") to signal a new phase in Jesus' ministry. Previously, Capernaum had been a kind of home base. Now, Jesus begins a more mobile approach, traveling through cities and villages. This wasn't just about covering more ground; it marked a purposeful expansion of his outreach, moving from a central location to a wider, more systematic proclamation across Galilee. It shows a deliberate strategy to spread the message of God's kingdom far and wide.
What exactly were the 'glad tidings' Jesus proclaimed? It wasn't just a message; it was an announcement of a new reality.
The core of Jesus' mission here is "preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God." This phrase signifies more than just announcing a future event; it's about heralding the arrival of God's reign. The "good news" (Gospel) is that God's rule, characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, is actively breaking into the world through Jesus. It’s a message of hope, salvation, and transformation, directly challenging the brokenness and injustice of the world. This was a message that, as scholars note, was often misunderstood by people expecting a political or earthly kingdom.
Jesus didn't go alone. The presence of the twelve disciples alongside him speaks volumes about their role.
The text notes that "the twelve were with him." This wasn't just a crowd; these were the chosen apostles, actively accompanying Jesus. Their presence served a dual purpose: they were witnesses to Jesus' miracles and teachings, absorbing the message and observing the way of the kingdom firsthand. They were also learners, being "thoroughly furnished for their future ministry," as one commentator put it. Their inclusion emphasizes that this proclamation of the kingdom wasn't just for the masses but also for those being trained to carry on the mission, preparing them to be sent out themselves.
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Understand the original words
euangelizō · Greek Verb
The essential message of salvation through Jesus Christ, specifically the announcement that God’s redemptive reign has arrived in and through Him.
basileia · Greek Noun
The sovereign rule or reign of God, both present in the ministry of Jesus and future in its ultimate manifestation. It encompasses God's authority over creation and His redemptive work among His people.
pneuma · Greek Noun
Supernatural beings opposed to God who exercise authority over people through possession, causing physical, mental, or spiritual suffering. They are subject to the authority of Jesus Christ, who casts them out.
This verse marks a significant expansion of Jesus' ministry, moving from a more localized focus to a wider, systematic tour of Galilee with his closest disciples. It highlights the intentionality and scope of his mission to proclaim the 'good news' of God's kingdom.
c. AD 27-29— this verse
Jesus' Galilean Ministry Begins
Following his baptism and temptation, Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, calling disciples and proclaiming the kingdom of God.
c. AD 28
Sermon on the Mount and Parables
Jesus delivers foundational teachings like the Sermon on the Mount and begins teaching in parables to reveal and conceal aspects of the kingdom.
c. AD 28
Jesus Appoints the Twelve Apostles
Jesus formally designates twelve disciples as apostles to be with him and to be sent out to preach.
c. AD 28-29
Wider Missionary Tour
Jesus, accompanied by the Twelve and other followers, travels through various towns and villages, expanding his outreach and teaching.
This passage describes Jesus' early ministry in Galilee, where He preached the same message of the kingdom of God, establishing a thematic link to the verse in Luke.
Mark 1:14-15This verse immediately precedes Mark's account of Jesus' ministry in Galilee, echoing Luke's theme of proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and the time of fulfillment.
Luke 9:1-2This passage shows Jesus sending out the twelve apostles, directly following the period described in Luke 8, highlighting their role in carrying forward the message of the kingdom.
Acts 1:3This verse speaks of Jesus speaking about the kingdom of God after His resurrection, demonstrating the enduring importance of this theme throughout His ministry and into the early church.
expositorsLuke 8:1: "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,"
3 Chapter 15THE KINGDOM OF GOD. IN considering the words of Jesus, if we may not be able to measure their depth or to scale their height, we can with absolute certainty discover their drift, and see in what direction they move, and we shall find that their orbit is an ellipse. Moving around the two centers, sin and…
gillLuke 8:1: "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,"
And it came to pass afterwards, After Christ had healed the centurion's servant at Capernaum, and had raised a widow's son that was dead, to life, at Naim; after John's disciples had been with and he had dismissed them, and had said many things in commendation of John, and in vindication both of him, and of himsel…
While the verse describes Jesus traveling and preaching, the subtle emphasis is on the twelve accompanying him, indicating their crucial role in this phase of his ministry as they began to learn and prepare for their own future proclamation of the kingdom. This wasn't just a solo mission; it was an apprenticeship in action.
Following a series of significant events, Jesus shifted from basing himself in Capernaum to embarking on extensive journeys throughout Galilee. He systematically visited cities and villages, proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom, accompanied by his twelve disciples who learned from him to prepare for their future ministry.
Following a series of significant events, Jesus shifted from basing himself in Capernaum to embarking on extensive journeys throughout Galilee. He systematically visited cities and villages, proclaiming the good news of God's kingdom, accompanied by his twelve disciples who learned from him to prepare for their future ministry.
"Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdal…" — While the verse describes Jesus traveling and preaching, the subtle emphasis is on the twelve accompanying him, indicating their crucial role in this phase of his ministry as they began to learn an…
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Last reviewed October 2026
