33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. (Matthew 8:33-34 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe, 1. What a contary effect this miracle which Christ wrought had upon these people: instead of believing on him for his miraculous cure of the opssessed, the loss of their swine enraged them, and makes them desire Christ to depart from them. Temporal losses are so great in worldly men’s estimation, that spiritual advantages are nothing esteemed: carnal hearts perfer their swine before their Saviour; and had rather lose Christ’s presence than their worldly profits.
Observe, 2. How unanimous and importunate the Gadarenes were to get rid of Christ, the whole city came out, and are not only willing to his departure, but they beseech him to depart out of their coasts.
Learn, hence, That deplorably sad is the condition of such from whom Christ departs; more deplorably sad is their state who say unto Christ, depart; but most deplorably sad is the case of them that intreat and beseech Christ to depart, from them. Thus did the Gadarenes, and accordingly Christ took ship and departed from them, and we never read of his return unto them.