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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 30</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="/ad1.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/8-29.htm" title="Matthew 8:29">◄</a> Matthew 8:30 <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm" title="Matthew 8:31">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now there was far off from them a herd of many pigs feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding at a distance from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now there was at a distance from them a herd of many swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now there was a herd of many swine feeding at a distance from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was grazing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A long way off from them, a large herd of pigs was feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now a long way off from them, a large herd of pigs was feeding. &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there was afar off from them a herd of many swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Not far from there a large herd of pigs was feeding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now there was afar off from them a herd of many swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A large herd of pigs was feeding in the distance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Not far away there was a large herd of pigs feeding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now a large herd of pigs was grazing some distance away from them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A large herd of pigs was feeding some distance from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine, feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now there was a herd of many pigs feeding far away from them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And there was a herd of many pigs feeding far off from them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now there was far off from them a herd of many pigs feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And there was far off from them a herd of many swine feeding,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And far off from them was a herd of many swine grazing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And there was, not far from them, an herd of many swine feeding. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now there was, not far from them, a herd of many swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Some distance away a herd of many swine was feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now there was near by them a large herd of swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But there was distant from them a herd of many pigs grazing.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Now there was, at a distance from them, a herd of many swine, feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And a herd of many swine was feeding a great way from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And at a considerable distance, there was a great herd of swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and there was a considerable herd of swine feeding, at some distance from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now at some distance from them a vast herd of swine were feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Now there was afar off from them a herd of many swine feeding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Now there was at some distance from them a large herd of swine seeding: and the devils besought Him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/8-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=2015" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm">The Demons and the Pigs</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>“What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?” <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3112.htm" title="3112: makran (Adj-AFS) -- At a distance, far away, remote, alien. Feminine accusative case singular of makros; at a distance.">In the distance</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: ap’ (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses."></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."></a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: pollōn (Adj-GMP) -- Much, many; often. ">a large</a> <a href="/greek/34.htm" title="34: agelē (N-NFS) -- A flock, herd. From ago; a drove.">herd</a> <a href="/greek/5519.htm" title="5519: choirōn (N-GMP) -- A swine, hog, sow. Of uncertain derivation; a hog.">of pigs</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: Ēn (V-IIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">was</a> <a href="/greek/1006.htm" title="1006: boskomenē (V-PPM/P-NFS) -- To feed, pasture. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze.">feeding.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">31</span>So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/5-11.htm">Mark 5:11-13</a></span><br />There on the nearby hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. / So the demons begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.” / He gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs, and the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-32.htm">Luke 8:32-33</a></span><br />There on the hillside a large herd of pigs was feeding. So the demons begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs, and He gave them permission. / Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Matthew 4:24</a></span><br />News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">Matthew 12:43-45</a></span><br />When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. / Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. / Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/1-23.htm">Mark 1:23-27</a></span><br />Suddenly a man with an unclean spirit cried out in the synagogue: / “What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” / But Jesus rebuked the spirit. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-33.htm">Luke 4:33-36</a></span><br />In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of an unclean demon. He cried out in a loud voice, / “Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” / But Jesus rebuked the demon. “Be silent!” He said. “Come out of him!” At this, the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without harming him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a></span><br />One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-19.htm">James 2:19</a></span><br />You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a></span><br />And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm">Leviticus 11:7</a></span><br />And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-8.htm">Deuteronomy 14:8</a></span><br />as well as the pig; though it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. It is unclean for you. You must not eat its meat or touch its carcass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-4.htm">Isaiah 65:4</a></span><br />sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-3.htm">Isaiah 66:3</a></span><br />Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-17.htm">Isaiah 66:17</a></span><br />“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.</p><p class="hdg">an.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm">Leviticus 11:7</a></b></br> And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he <i>is</i> unclean to you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/14-8.htm">Deuteronomy 14:8</a></b></br> And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it <i>is</i> unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/65-3.htm">Isaiah 65:3,4</a></b></br> A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-35.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-9.htm">Far</a> <a href="/nahum/2-11.htm">Feeding</a> <a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/8-8.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/8-26.htm">Great</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-17.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/matthew/8-1.htm">Large</a> <a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Pigs</a> <a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Swine</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-10.htm">Vast</a> <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/26-58.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/matthew/14-24.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/matthew/11-9.htm">Far</a> <a href="/matthew/8-33.htm">Feeding</a> <a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/9-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/matthew/9-37.htm">Great</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Large</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Pigs</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Swine</a> <a href="/matthew/13-2.htm">Vast</a> <a href="/matthew/10-5.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/8-1.htm">Jesus cleanses the leper;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/8-5.htm">heals the centurion's servant,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/8-14.htm">Peter's mother in law,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/8-16.htm">and many others;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/8-18.htm">shows the cost of following him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/8-23.htm">stills the storm on the sea;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">drives the demons out of two men possessed;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">and tells them to go into the pigs.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/8.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>A large herd of pigs</b><br />In the context of first-century Judea, pigs were considered unclean animals according to Jewish law (<a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm">Leviticus 11:7</a>). The presence of a large herd of pigs indicates that this event took place in a Gentile region, likely the Decapolis, where Jewish dietary laws were not observed. The Greek word for "herd" (ἀγέλη, agelē) suggests a significant number of animals, emphasizing the scale of the event about to unfold. This detail sets the stage for the miraculous power of Jesus over the spiritual realm, as He is about to confront demonic forces.<p><b>was feeding</b><br />The Greek verb used here, "βόσκω" (boskō), implies a continuous action, indicating that the pigs were in the process of grazing. This detail not only paints a vivid picture of the scene but also underscores the normalcy and routine of life that is about to be dramatically interrupted by Jesus' intervention. The act of feeding suggests a sense of peace and normalcy, which contrasts sharply with the chaos that ensues when the demons enter the pigs.<p><b>in the distance</b><br />The phrase "in the distance" (μακρόθεν, makrothen) provides a spatial context, indicating that the herd was not immediately near Jesus and the possessed men but within sight. This detail highlights the omnipotence of Jesus, who, despite the physical distance, exercises authority over the spiritual realm. The distance also serves to emphasize the public nature of the miracle, as it would have been witnessed by those tending the pigs and possibly others in the area, thus amplifying the impact of Jesus' power and authority.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">An herd of many swine.</span>--We are surprised at first to find swine kept in a country where their flesh could not be an article of food. But though the Jews did not eat pork, Roman soldiers did, and the swine may have been kept to supply the wants of the legion with which the man was familiar. The pun of Augustus as to Herod's swine and son (see Note on <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm" title="Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.">Matthew 2:16</a>) seems to imply that the king kept them on his estates for some such purpose.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 30, 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding. So</span> (and, Revised Version) <span class="cmt_word">the devils</span> <span class="cmt_word">besought him, saying, If thou cast us out</span> (Matthew only), <span class="cmt_word">suffer us to</span> <span class="cmt_word">go away</span> (<span class="accented">send us away</span>, Revised Version). This is distinguished from ver. 29 as expressly the utterance of the evil spirits. In the true text there is no thought of permission, but only of command (<span class="greek">ἀπόστειλον</span>). They recognize his mastery. <span class="cmt_word">Into</span> <span class="cmt_word">the herd of swine;</span> and not into the place of torment - "the abyss" of the parallel passage, <a href="/luke/8-31.htm">Luke 8:31</a>. If he did not send them there, they might hope for a long respite, and one perhaps spent in various tenements. Further notice: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> The unclean chose the unclean <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> Though we cannot attribute to the evil spirits absolute foreknowledge of what would happen in this case, their past experience may have enabled them to feel sure that they would have their love of destroying fully gratified. <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> it is also not impossible that they may have considered that their entering the swine would be likely to prejudice the Gerasenes against Jesus. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/8-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">In the distance</span><br /><span class="grk">μακρὰν</span> <span class="translit">(makran)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3112.htm">Strong's 3112: </a> </span><span class="str2">At a distance, far away, remote, alien. Feminine accusative case singular of makros; at a distance.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a large</span><br /><span class="grk">πολλῶν</span> <span class="translit">(pollōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> </span><span class="str2">Much, many; often. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">herd</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγέλη</span> <span class="translit">(agelē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_34.htm">Strong's 34: </a> </span><span class="str2">A flock, herd. From ago; a drove.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of pigs</span><br /><span class="grk">χοίρων</span> <span class="translit">(choirōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5519.htm">Strong's 5519: </a> </span><span class="str2">A swine, hog, sow. Of uncertain derivation; a hog.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἦν</span> <span class="translit">(Ēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">feeding.</span><br /><span class="grk">βοσκομένη</span> <span class="translit">(boskomenē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1006.htm">Strong's 1006: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feed, pasture. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/8-30.htm">Matthew 8:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/8-30.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 8:30 Now there was a herd of many (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/8-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 8:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 8:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/8-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 8:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 8:31" /></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>