Luke 8:37 - The Demons and the Pigs

Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes
The Gerasenes refers to a region on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, often associated with the Decapolis, a group of ten cities with a strong Greco-Roman influence. This area was predominantly Gentile, which is significant in understanding the cultural and religious dynamics at play. The people here were not Jews, and their reaction to Jesus might reflect their unfamiliarity with Jewish messianic expectations and the power of God as revealed through Jesus.

asked Jesus to depart from them
The request for Jesus to leave is a striking response to His miraculous power. This follows the event where Jesus cast demons out of a man and into a herd of pigs, which then drowned in the sea. The loss of the pigs, a significant economic asset, likely contributed to their fear and desire for Jesus to leave. This reaction can be contrasted with other instances where people sought Jesus for healing and teaching, highlighting the varied responses to His ministry.

because great fear had taken hold of them
The fear experienced by the Gerasenes can be understood in several ways. It may have been a fear of the supernatural power Jesus displayed, a fear of further economic loss, or a fear of the unknown. In biblical terms, fear often accompanies the presence of the divine, as seen in other scriptural accounts where individuals encounter God's power. This fear, however, led to rejection rather than reverence or repentance.

So He got into the boat and started back
Jesus' departure signifies His respect for human choice and the boundaries set by the people. Despite His authority and mission, He does not impose Himself where He is not welcomed. This action also foreshadows the broader rejection Jesus would face, culminating in His crucifixion. The return to the other side of the Sea of Galilee marks a transition in His ministry, as He continues to spread His message to those willing to receive it.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus has just performed a miraculous exorcism, casting demons out of a man and into a herd of pigs.

2. The People of the Gerasenes
Residents of the region who witnessed the aftermath of Jesus' miracle and were overcome with fear, prompting them to ask Jesus to leave.

3. The Gerasenes Region
A Gentile area on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, known for its mixed population and cultural influences.

4. The Demoniac
A man previously possessed by demons, who was healed by Jesus. His transformation is a testament to Jesus' power and authority over evil.

5. The Herd of Pigs
Animals into which the demons were cast, leading to their destruction, symbolizing the cleansing power of Jesus' miracle.

Teaching Points

Fear vs. Faith
The reaction of the Gerasenes highlights the human tendency to fear the unknown or the supernatural. Believers are called to respond in faith rather than fear when encountering the power of God.

The Cost of Discipleship
The Gerasenes' request for Jesus to leave shows a reluctance to embrace the change and disruption that Jesus brings. Following Christ may require us to confront and let go of our comfort zones.

Jesus' Authority
This passage underscores Jesus' supreme authority over spiritual realms. Believers can find assurance in His power to overcome any spiritual bondage.

Witnessing Transformation
The healed demoniac becomes a witness to his community. Our personal testimonies of transformation can be powerful tools for evangelism.

Respecting Free Will
Jesus respects the Gerasenes' request to leave, illustrating the principle of free will. God does not force His presence on those who reject Him.

(37) They were taken with great fear.--Better, they were oppressed.

Verse 37. - Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. The recital had no effect upon. the headmen of the neighbouring towns and villages. They were probably for the most part owners of similar herds of swine, perhaps sharers in nameless sins, all specially hateful to the Rabbi Jesus, whom they no doubt knew well by repute. But he was, they saw, something more than a poor wandering moral Teacher; he possessed strange and awful powers: had they not had terribler experience of them? Which of them in that law-breaking, dissolute neighbourhood might not he the next victim whose unclean possessions were to be swept away? So they would have none of him: let him, as quickly as possible depart from their coasts. They felt they could not keep both the Saviour and their swine, and of the two they preferred their swine! And returned back again. The chance, as far as the Gadarene district was concerned, was gone for ever. Jesus probably returned thither no more. Within forty years this district was the scene of one of the terrible calamities of the great Roman war. The sack of Gadara, and the desolation and ruin which was the hapless lot of this once wealthy but evil-living district, is one of the many melancholy chapters of the hopeless Jewish revolt, (see Josephus, *Bell. Jud.,' 3:07. 1; 4:7. 4). A modern traveller, Dr. Thomson, remarks, singularly enough, that the old district of Gadara at the present day is infested with wild, fierce hogs: "Everywhere," he writes, "the land is ploughed up by wild hogs in search of roots on which they live" ('The Land and the Book,' 2. ch. 25). Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

all
ἅπαν (hapan)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 537: All, the whole, altogether. Absolutely all or every one.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people
πλῆθος (plēthos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4128: A multitude, crowd, great number, assemblage. From pletho; a fulness, i.e. A large number, throng, populace.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

region
περιχώρου (perichōrou)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4066: From peri and chora; around the region, i.e. Circumjacent.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Gerasenes
Γερασηνῶν (Gerasēnōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1086: From Gerasene. Of Hebrew origin; a Gergesene or one of the aborigines of Palestine.

asked
ἠρώτησεν (ērōtēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2065: Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.

[Jesus]
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

to depart
ἀπελθεῖν (apelthein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

from
ἀπ’ (ap’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

them,
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

great
μεγάλῳ (megalō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

fear
φόβῳ (phobō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5401: (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect. From a primary phebomai; alarm or fright.

had swept over them.
συνείχοντο (syneichonto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4912: From sun and echo; to hold together, i.e. To compress or arrest; figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy.

So
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

He
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

got
ἐμβὰς (embas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1684: To step in; I go onboard a ship, embark. From en and the base of basis; to walk on, i.e. Embark, reach.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the boat
πλοῖον (ploion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4143: A ship, vessel, boat. From pleo; a sailer, i.e. Vessel.

[and] started back.
ὑπέστρεψεν (hypestrepsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5290: To turn back, return. From hupo and strepho; to turn under, i.e. To return.

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