Keraia
Matthew 8

Matthew 8:31

The Demons and the Pigs · Matthew 8:28–34
Read Matthew 8

Translations

Modern
So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
Traditional
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
Literal
And the demons were imploring Him, saying, “If You cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.”
Latin
Dæmones autem rogabant eum, dicentes: Si ejicis nos hinc, mitte nos in gregem porcorum.

Original

Greek
English
So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

Notes

Matthew 8:31

The demons could not resist the power of Jesus. They begged to escape their coming destruction.

Matthew 8:28–34

This event focuses on the authorityof Jesus and the cost of being his disciple. Those who have faith, like the Messiah, will experience opposition.

Matthew 8:1–9:34

Here, the kingdom of God appears with supernatural power (see Matthew 4:23–25; 11:2–6). It reaches people who were previously excluded from God's blessings. This included:

  • non-Jewish people,

  • lepers,

  • blind people,

  • sick women,

  • people possessed by demons,

  • tax collectors,

  • those with long-term bleeding, and

  • the dead.

Jesus showed compassion to people in need. But the religious leaders reacted with anger and opposition. Jesus called his followers to respond with faith and to walk in discipleship (living as his learners and followers).

Theme notes and profiles

The Stone the Builders Rejected

Events

Parallels

Mark 5:1–20 Luke 8:26–39

Glossary

Gospel of Matthew Heal, Healing Jesus Christ John the Baptist Miracle Pig Sea of Galilee

Topics

Animals: Possessed of Devils Demons: The Herd of Swine Demons: Two Men of the Gergesenes (Gadarenes, Gerasenes) Gadarenes: Jesus Visits and Works Miracles Among, but is Rejected Galilee: Sea (Lake) of Galilee: Miracles of Jesus On Jesus, the Christ: Miracle of the Swine (In Gadara) Jesus, the Christ: Miracles of The Demoniacs in Gadara (Gerasa) Healed Miracles of Jesus, in Chronological Order: Throws Demons out of Two Men of Gadara (Gerasa) Pigs Swine: Jesus Sends Demons Into The Swine: The Gergesenes Punished for Having The Miracles of Christ: Devils Cast Out