CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 8:34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/8-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/40_Mat_08_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 8:34 - The Demons and the Pigs" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/8-34.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/8-34.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 34</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/8-33.htm" title="Matthew 8:33">◄</a> Matthew 8:34 <a href="/matthew/9-1.htm" title="Matthew 9:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/8.htm">New International Version</a> Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. <a href="/nlt/matthew/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged him to go away and leave them alone. <a href="/esv/matthew/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. <a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region. <a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And behold, all the city went out to meet Jesus. And having seen Him, they begged Him that He would depart from their region. <a href="/kjv/matthew/8.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/8.htm">New King James Version</a> And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they pleaded with Him to leave their region. <a href="/nasb/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they implored Him to leave their region. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they entreated Him to depart from their region. <a href="/lsb/matthew/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they pleaded with Him to leave their region. <a href="/amp/matthew/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and as soon as they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region. <a href="/csb/matthew/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> At that, the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> At that, the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region. <a href="/asv/matthew/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their borders. <a href="/cev/matthew/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Everyone in town came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their part of the country. <a href="/erv/matthew/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their borders. <a href="/gwt/matthew/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Everyone from the city went to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their territory. <a href="/gnt/matthew/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> So everyone from the town went out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their territory. <a href="/isv/matthew/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and as soon as they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. <a href="/msb/matthew/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to leave their region. <a href="/net/matthew/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. <a href="/nheb/matthew/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And look, all the city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region. <a href="/wbt/matthew/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 borders. <a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country. <a href="/web/matthew/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged that he would depart from their borders. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And behold, all the city came forth to meet Jesus, and having seen Him, they called on [Him] that He might depart from their borders. <a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And behold, all the city went out to meet Jesus. And having seen Him, they begged Him that He would depart from their region. <a href="/ylt/matthew/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And lo, all the city came forth to meet Jesus, and having seen him, they called on him that he might depart from their borders. <a href="/slt/matthew/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And, behold, all the city came forth to the meeting to Jesus: and seeing him, they besought that he would go away from their boundaries.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And behold the whole city went out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart from their coasts. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And behold, the entire city went out to meet Jesus. And having seen him, they petitioned him, so that he would cross from their borders. <a href="/nabre/matthew/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Thereupon the whole town came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they begged him to leave their district. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So all the city went out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they urged him to depart from their borders. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And the whole city came out to meet with Yeshua, and when they saw him, they begged him to depart from their borders. <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And, behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they besought him to depart out of their borders. <a href="/godbey/matthew/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus; and seeing Him, intreated Him, that He should depart from their coasts. <a href="/haweis/matthew/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And, behold, all the city came out to meet him: and when they saw him, they besought him to depart from their territories.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> whereupon the city went in a body to meet Jesus, and when they saw him they desir'd him to withdraw out of their country. <a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So at once the whole population came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they besought Him to leave their country. <a href="/worrell/matthew/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, behold, all the city came forth to meet Jesus; and, seeing Him, they besought Him, that He would depart from their borders. <a href="/worsley/matthew/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw Him, they intreated Him to depart from their coasts. <a href="/parallel/matthew/8-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=2046" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm">The Demons and the Pigs</a> …33Those tending the pigs ran off into the town and reported all this, including the account of the demon-possessed men. 34<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: idou (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!"></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pasa (Adj-NFS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">whole</a> <a href="/greek/4172.htm" title="4172: polis (N-NFS) -- A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.">town</a> <a href="/greek/1831.htm" title="1831: exēlthen (V-AIA-3S) -- To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.">went out</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/5222.htm" title="5222: hypantēsin (N-AFS) -- A meeting. From hupantao; an encounter or concurrence.">meet</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-DMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: idontes (V-APA-NMP) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">when they saw</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him,</a> <a href="/greek/3870.htm" title="3870: parekalesan (V-AIA-3P) -- From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.">they begged Him</a> <a href="/greek/3704.htm" title="3704: hopōs (Conj) -- From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)."></a> <a href="/greek/3327.htm" title="3327: metabē (V-ASA-3S) -- To change my place (abode), leave, depart, remove, pass over. From meta and the base of basis; to change place.">to leave</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3725.htm" title="3725: horiōn (N-GNP) -- Neuter of a derivative of an apparently primary horos; a boundary-line, i.e. a frontier.">region.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/5-17.htm">Mark 5:17</a> And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region. <a href="/luke/8-37.htm">Luke 8:37</a> Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart from them, because great fear had taken hold of them. So He got into the boat and started back. <a href="/acts/16-39.htm">Acts 16:39</a> They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city. <a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a> He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a> And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. <a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18-25</a> If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. ... <a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51-53</a> You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.” <a href="/acts/13-45.htm">Acts 13:45-46</a> But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying. / Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. <a href="/acts/19-23.htm">Acts 19:23-28</a> About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. / It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen. / Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity. ... <a href="/1_peter/2-7.htm">1 Peter 2:7-8</a> To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” / and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. <a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Jeremiah 6:10</a> To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it. <a href="/jeremiah/8-9.htm">Jeremiah 8:9</a> The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? <a href="/isaiah/65-2.htm">Isaiah 65:2-5</a> All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations, / to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick, / sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls. ... <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a> And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they sought him that he would depart out of their coasts.they besought.<a href="/matthew/8-29.htm">Matthew 8:29</a> 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?<a href="/deuteronomy/5-25.htm">Deuteronomy 5:25</a> Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.<a href="/1_samuel/16-4.htm">1 Samuel 16:4</a> And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Besought</a> <a href="/matthew/4-13.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/matthew/8-33.htm">City</a> <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Coasts</a> <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-11.htm">Implored</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/8-22.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/matthew/3-8.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/ruth/4-17.htm">Neighborhood</a> <a href="/matthew/4-22.htm">Once</a> <a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/amos/1-9.htm">Population</a> <a href="/matthew/4-25.htm">Region</a> <a href="/matthew/8-5.htm">Request</a> <a href="/matthew/8-33.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/14-36.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/matthew/14-36.htm">Besought</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Borders</a> <a href="/matthew/9-1.htm">City</a> <a href="/matthew/15-21.htm">Coasts</a> <a href="/matthew/9-31.htm">Country</a> <a href="/matthew/9-24.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/matthew/14-36.htm">Implored</a> <a href="/matthew/9-1.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/10-11.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/matthew/15-26.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/mark/5-17.htm">Neighborhood</a> <a href="/matthew/9-22.htm">Once</a> <a href="/matthew/18-32.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/luke/8-37.htm">Population</a> <a href="/matthew/9-26.htm">Region</a> <a href="/matthew/13-36.htm">Request</a> <a href="/matthew/9-12.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 8</div>1. <a href="/matthew/8-1.htm">Jesus cleanses the leper;</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/8-5.htm">heals the centurion's servant,</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/8-14.htm">Peter's mother in law,</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/8-16.htm">and many others;</a> 18. <a href="/matthew/8-18.htm">shows the cost of following him;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/8-23.htm">stills the storm on the sea;</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">drives the demons out of two men possessed;</a> 31. <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">and tells them to go into the pigs.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. This phrase indicates a collective response from the town, suggesting that the event involving Jesus had a significant impact on the community. The town referred to is likely Gadara or Gerasa, part of the Decapolis, a group of ten cities with a strong Greco-Roman influence. The people’s reaction can be seen as a reflection of the cultural and religious tensions between Jewish and Gentile populations. The townspeople's decision to meet Jesus en masse suggests a mixture of curiosity, fear, and perhaps anger, as they had just witnessed the dramatic healing of two demon-possessed men and the subsequent loss of a herd of pigs. This event highlights the power and authority of Jesus over spiritual forces, a theme consistent throughout the Gospels.And when they saw Him, The act of seeing Jesus implies a direct encounter with His presence, which often elicited strong reactions from those who witnessed His miracles. In biblical narratives, seeing is often associated with understanding or revelation, yet here it leads to a rejection. This moment is pivotal, as it contrasts with other instances where seeing Jesus led to faith and worship. The townspeople's reaction can be compared to other biblical accounts where individuals or groups failed to recognize Jesus' divine authority and mission.they begged Him to leave their region. The request for Jesus to leave underscores the fear and misunderstanding of His power. The loss of the pigs, a significant economic resource, likely contributed to their fear and desire for Him to depart. This reaction can be seen as a rejection of the transformative power of Jesus, prioritizing material loss over spiritual gain. It also reflects a broader theme in the Gospels where Jesus is often rejected by those who do not understand His mission. This incident foreshadows the rejection Jesus would face from His own people, as prophesied in <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a>, where the Messiah is described as "despised and rejected by men." The townspeople's plea for Jesus to leave contrasts with the welcoming reception He receives in other regions, highlighting the varied responses to His ministry.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure in the passage, whose presence and actions have caused a significant reaction from the townspeople. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_whole_town.htm">The Whole Town</a> Represents the collective response of the people in the region who were affected by Jesus' miraculous works. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_region_of_the_gadarenes.htm">The Region of the Gadarenes</a> The geographical area where this event takes place, known for its Gentile population and the presence of swine herders. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_demoniacs.htm">The Demoniacs</a> Although not mentioned in this specific verse, the context involves Jesus healing two demon-possessed men, which led to the townspeople's reaction. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_swine.htm">The Swine</a> The herd of pigs that ran into the sea and perished, an event that precipitated the townspeople's plea for Jesus to leave.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Following Jesus may lead to societal rejection or discomfort, as seen in the townspeople's reaction. <a href="/topical/f/fear_of_change.htm">Fear of Change</a> The townspeople's plea for Jesus to leave highlights a fear of the unknown and a preference for the status quo, even when it means rejecting divine intervention. <a href="/topical/m/material_loss_vs._spiritual_gain.htm">Material Loss vs. Spiritual Gain</a> The loss of the swine represents a material cost that the townspeople were unwilling to bear for the spiritual healing of the demoniacs. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_jesus'_authority.htm">Recognizing Jesus' Authority</a> Despite witnessing a miracle, the townspeople failed to recognize Jesus' divine authority, a reminder to be open to God's work in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_challenge_of_evangelism.htm">The Challenge of Evangelism</a> This passage underscores the challenge of sharing the Gospel in areas resistant to change or where economic interests are threatened.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 8</a> <a href="/q/what_is_legion's_story_in_the_bible.htm">What is Legion's story in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_many_demoniacs_in_gerasene.htm">How many demoniacs were in the Gerasene region?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_pigs_rush_into_the_sea_in_matthew.htm">In Matthew 8:28–34, why did a whole herd of pigs rush into the sea after being possessed by demons, and is there any historical or archaeological clue that such a dramatic event occurred?</a> <a href="/q/what_language_did_jesus_speak_on_the_cross.htm">When Jesus said My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me ? in what language did he speak? Hebrew: the words are Eloi, Eloi ..(Matthew 27:46) Aramaic: the words are Eloi, Eloi .. (Mark 15:34)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) The whole city--i.e., the population of Gadara or Gerasa (more probably the former), according to the reading which we adopt in <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm" title="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.">Matthew 8:28</a>. St. Mark and St. Luke add, that they found the demoniac "clothed, and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus," in the clinging gratitude of faith. The narrative half suggests the thought that the garment which he now wore as the outward sign of a new self-reverence had been supplied by the pity of the disciples.Besought him that he would depart.--It was characteristic of the wild, half-heathen population that they were led to look on the Prophet who had wrought so great a work as a Destroyer rather than a Saviour, and therefore shrank from His presence among them. Not so with the demoniac himself. He felt, with a faith which was real, though weak, as if he were only safe while close to his Deliverer. He followed Him to the boat, and as He was in the act of embarking (<a href="/mark/5-18.htm" title="And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.">Mark 5:18</a>), prayed that he might be with Him. But this was not the discipline which was needed for his spiritual health. Retirement, renewed fellowship with his kindred in his own house, the quiet witness borne there that the Lord had had compassion on him--this was better for him than the work of a more avowed discipleship. And so he went his way "proclaiming," or "preaching," what Jesus had done for him--a true evangelist to a people whose panic terror showed that they were as yet in darkness and the shadow of death.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 34. - And, behold. The third of the stages (vers. 29, 32) in this incident that were apparent to all. The whole city; i.e. Khersa, from the parallel passages (ver. 28, note); all the city (Revised Version, though a similar phrase is not altered in ver. 32); πᾶσα ἡ πόλις. Not really less comprehensive, but giving a less vivid representation of one united body than ὅλη ἡ πόλις (<a href="/mark/1-33.htm">Mark 1:33</a>, and especially <a href="/luke/8-39.htm">Luke 8:39</a>); cf. <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">Matthew 4:23, 24</a>, ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ Γαλιλαία εἰς ὅλην τὴν Συριάν. Came out to meet Jesus (εἰς ὑπάντησιν τῷ [Westcott and Hort margin, τοῦ] Ἰησοῦ). A distance of half a mile or so would satisfy the expression. The true reading, ὑπάντησιν (also <a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1</a>; <a href="/john/12-13.htm">John 12:13</a>), would seem to suggest the closest proximity (cf. Bishop Lightfoot on ὑπεναντίος <a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Colossians 2:14</a>), while ἀπάντησιν (<a href="/matthew/25-6.htm">Matthew 25:6</a>; <a href="/acts/28-15.htm">Acts 28:15</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:17</a>) connotes a, contrast to the place left. Συνάντησιν, again (Textus Receptus here, and <a href="/john/12-13.htm">John 12:13</a>, D, el.), emphasizes the thought of companionship. And when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts; from their borders (Revised Version). These Gerasenes, vexed at the loss of wealth, felt, like the demoniacs, that there was nothing in common between themselves and Jesus, but, unlike them, showed no consciousness of sin. Without this he could do nothing for them, so he granted their request (<a href="/matthew/9-1.htm">Matthew 9:1</a>). St. Peter also once bade Jesus depart (<a href="/luke/5-8.htm">Luke 5:8</a>), but his reason, "for I am a sinful man, O Lord," showed a heartfelt desire after the deepest union with him. With the ungranted request of the man to remain with Jesus, and his subsequent preaching to these Gerasenes and others (parallel passages), St. Matthew does not concern himself. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/8-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. whole πᾶσα (pasa) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. town πόλις (polis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4172.htm">Strong's 4172: </a> A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town. went out ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1831.htm">Strong's 1831: </a> To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. meet ὑπάντησιν (hypantēsin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5222.htm">Strong's 5222: </a> A meeting. From hupantao; an encounter or concurrence. Jesus. Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. when they saw ἰδόντες (idontes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. Him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. they begged [Him] παρεκάλεσαν (parekalesan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3870.htm">Strong's 3870: </a> From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke. to leave μεταβῇ (metabē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3327.htm">Strong's 3327: </a> To change my place (abode), leave, depart, remove, pass over. From meta and the base of basis; to change place. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. region. ὁρίων (horiōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3725.htm">Strong's 3725: </a> Neuter of a derivative of an apparently primary horos; a boundary-line, i.e. a frontier. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/8-34.htm">Matthew 8:34 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/8-34.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 8:34 Behold all the city came out (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/8-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 8:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 8:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/9-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 9:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 9:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>