When he came to the other side, to the territory of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs who were coming from the tombs met him. They were so savage that no one could travel by that road. 29 They cried out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding. 31 The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” 32 And he said to them, “Go then!” They came out and entered the swine, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea where they drowned. 33 The swineherds ran away, and when they came to the town they reported everything, including what had happened to the demoniacs. 34 Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district.
Jesus crosses to the other side of the sea and enters the territory of the Gadarenes. This was a largely Gentile area, which is also suggested by the presence of swine, animals considered unclean under the Mosaic law (v. 30; Leviticus 11:7). Matthew shows that the authority of Jesus is not limited to one place or people. His saving power reaches even into pagan territory.
The same event is told with some differences in Mark and Luke. Matthew speaks of two possessed men, while Mark and Luke focus on one. The name of the place also appears in different forms in the Gospel tradition. These differences do not change the central truth of the event. The evangelists faithfully proclaim what Jesus did, while each sacred writer may arrange, emphasize, or select details according to his audience and purpose. Matthew’s focus is clear: Jesus enters Gentile territory and exercises authority even over demons.
The two possessed men come from the tombs, a place associated with death and uncleanness. They are so violent that no one can travel safely by that road (v. 28). In the Gospels, demonic possession is presented as a real bondage in which evil spirits afflict and dominate a person, though never beyond the authority of God. Their condition shows the destructive power of evil. Evil does not bring freedom; it isolates, wounds, and makes human life fearful.
The demons recognize Jesus and cry out, “What have you to do with us, Son of God?” (v. 29). This is a striking confession. The disciples in the boat had just asked, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” (Matthew 8:27). The demons, however, know that they stand before the Son of God. Their knowledge is not faith, love, or obedience. It is the terrified recognition of Christ and His authority.
Their question, “Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?” points to the final judgment (v. 29). The demons know that their power is temporary. Evil spirits may afflict human beings, but they remain creatures under God’s judgment. They do not rule beside God as equals. They are subject to the authority of Christ and will be finally defeated at the end of time, when Christ comes in glory to judge the living and the dead and evil is overthrown forever.
The herd of swine also helps the reader understand the setting. Since pigs were unclean under the Mosaic law, their presence points again to Gentile territory (v. 30). The demons plead to be sent into the herd, and Jesus gives only a brief command: “Go then!” (vv. 31-32). He does not struggle with them. He does not negotiate as an equal. They must obey His word.
When the demons enter the swine, the whole herd rushes down the steep bank into the sea and drowns (v. 32). The scene is severe, but Matthew keeps the focus clear. Jesus has authority over evil spirits. The destruction of the swine also shows the destructive nature of demonic power. When evil holds human beings, it does not preserve life; it destroys it.
The swineherds report everything to the town, including what happened to the possessed men (v. 33). The people then come out to meet Jesus, but instead of welcoming Him, they beg Him to leave their district (v. 34). Their response is sobering. They have seen the cost of His presence and the power of His deliverance, but fear and loss appear to matter more to them than the freedom of the men who had been afflicted. They seem willing to live near evil as long as it does not disturb their way of life.
This passage calls the reader to trust the authority of Christ. Evil is real, but it is not supreme. Christ is stronger. His presence may disturb what people have grown used to, but He comes to free human beings from what degrades and destroys them. The right response is not to send Him away, but to welcome His saving authority.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, free us from every power of evil. Give us the faith to welcome Your presence, even when Your truth unsettles us. Rule our hearts by Your mercy and lead us into the freedom of Your kingdom. Amen.
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Sources and References
- The New American Bible, Revised Edition. Washington, DC: Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 2011. Matthew 8:28–34 and notes on Matthew 8:28, 8:29, and 8:30.
- Hahn, Scott, and Curtis Mitch. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2010. Page 21, notes on Matthew 8:28 and 8:32.
- Casciaro, José María, gen. ed. The Navarre Bible: New Testament, Expanded Edition. Dublin: Four Courts Press; New York: Scepter Publishers, 2008. Page 75, note on Matthew 8:28–34.
- Brown, Raymond E., Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, eds. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990. Page 639, paragraph 59.
- Aguilar Chiu, José Enrique, Richard J. Clifford, Carol J. Dempsey, Eileen M. Schuller, Thomas D. Stegman, and Ronald D. Witherup, eds. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. New York: Paulist Press, 2018. Page 926.
- Collins, John J., Gina Hens-Piazza, Barbara Reid OP, and Donald Senior CP, eds. The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. Third Fully Revised Edition, with a Foreword by Pope Francis. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2022. Page 1189.
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