28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
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 8:28-34 KJV)
Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons
We have here the story of Christ casting the devils out of two possessed men. This chapter demonstrates the divine power of Christ through his dominion over bodily diseases, winds and waves, and devils, which are most formidable to us. Christ not only has all power in heaven and earth but also holds the keys of hell. Even in his humble state, principalities and powers were subject to him, foreshadowing his ultimate victory.
This miracle took place in the country of the Gergesenes, possibly the remnants of the old Girgashites. Though Christ was sent primarily to the lost sheep of Israel, he occasionally reached out to the border regions, as in this case, to gain victory over Satan and foreshadow his conquest in the Gentile world.
Beyond demonstrating Christ’s power over Satan, this passage reveals how evil spirits operate in their enmity toward humanity. These devils caused havoc both where they resided and where they went.
The state of the two possessed men highlights the destruction caused by these devils. They lived among tombs, a place of death, where the devil, as the executioner of death, found satisfaction in his perceived triumph. The presence of these men among the graves worsened their condition and made them more terrifying to others. Additionally, they were exceedingly fierce, making them a danger to all who passed by.
The devil’s malice toward humanity is evident in how he drives people toward hostility, violence, and destruction. He makes one person a wolf, a bear, and a devil to another. When Satan rules in a person spiritually through pride, envy, malice, and revenge, that person becomes as unfit for human society as these possessed men were.
The devils also defied Christ, disowning any connection with him. They cried out, “What have we to do with you, Jesus, Son of God?” Ironically, they acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God—a truth that flesh and blood had not yet revealed to many. Even devils know and confess Christ, yet they remain devils, making their opposition to him all the more wicked. True faith is not just knowledge but love and submission to Christ.
The devils had no part in Christ as a Savior, as he did not take on the nature of fallen angels. They have not only rejected Jesus’ salvation but also to be ruled by him. They despised his rule, just as many people do when they reject Christ’s commandments. However, they could not deny that he was their judge, bound to condemn them at the appointed time.
Fearful of their final judgment, they pleaded, “Have you come here to torment us before the time?” The devils knew their punishment was inevitable, but they sought to delay it. Their cry reveals their dread of Christ’s authority, for even his mere presence tormented them.
When Christ cast them out of the men, they entered a herd of swine nearby. These Gergesenes, though Jews, kept swine, which was unclean under the law. The devils begged to enter them, revealing their relentless desire to do harm. They would rather torment animals than be sent to the abyss. They sought permission from Christ, acknowledging that without his consent, they could not even touch a pig. This reminds us that while Satan has great power, it is limited and subject to Christ’s control.
Christ granted them permission, allowing them to enter the swine. Immediately, the entire herd ran violently down a steep hill into the sea and perished. This illustrates how the devil’s influence always leads to destruction. He hurries people into sin and ruin, causing them to act against reason and their own well-being. The loss of the swine was a warning to the Gadarenes, showing them what they had been delivered from. If Christ had permitted it, the devils would have destroyed them just as they did the swine.
The swineherds quickly spread the news, and the people of the city came to see what had happened. Instead of welcoming Christ, they begged him to leave. They were more concerned about their lost swine than the two men who had been restored. The devils succeeded in making them think Christ had harmed them rather than helped them.
This is how Satan works—he turns people against God by making them believe that Christ’s presence is a burden rather than a blessing. They feared further loss and thus rejected Christ, showing that many prefer material wealth over their own salvation. Those who desire Christ to leave will one day hear him say, “Depart from me.”