THE HEALING OF TWO DEMONIAC

Passage: Matthew 8:28-34

Key verse: 32

NIV

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men(A)

28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,[a] two demon-possessed(B) men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us,(C) Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”(D)

30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.(E)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 8:28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; other manuscripts Gerasenes
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Heals Two Men with Demons

28 (A)And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes,[a] two (B)demon-possessed[b] men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they (C)cried out, “What have you to do with us, (D)O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us (E)before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the (F)demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, (G)they begged him to leave their region.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 8:28 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; some Gerasenes
  2. Matthew 8:28 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); also verse 33; elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Two violent men (28-29)

The region of the Gadarenes was Gentile territory. The two violent men who met Jesus and his disciples had terrified the countryside. They were prisoners of Satan. Perhaps the inhumanity and materialism of society had pushed them to open their hearts and let Satan in. They recognized Jesus as the Son of God, enemy of Satan, and they strongly objected to his being there. They feared him, for Jesus has authority over even the most powerful demon. Jesus sent them out of the men into a herd of pigs, and the pigs rushed into the lake and died.

2. A town that didn't care about people (3

-34)

When the townspeople heard what had happened to the pigs and to the men, they came and asked Jesus to leave. They did not praise God for saving two men from Satan's power. They were angry because they had lost a lot of pigs. So Jesus left.

Prayer: Lord, have mercy on our materialistic society that freely invites Satan to destroy men. Raise up leaders who care more about people than about money.

One Word: Jesus can save men from Satan