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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.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/8-30.htm" title="Matthew 8:30">◄</a> Matthew 8:31 <a href="/matthew/8-32.htm" title="Matthew 8:32">►</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> The demons begged Jesus, &#8220If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.” <a href="/esv/matthew/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So the demons begged Jesus, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” <a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the demons were begging Him, saying, "If You cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs." <a href="/kjv/matthew/8.htm">King James Bible</a> So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/8.htm">New King James Version</a> So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And the demons begged Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> The demons began to entreat Him, saying, &#8220If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the demons began to entreat Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And the demons began to plead with Him, saying, “If You are going to cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” <a href="/amp/matthew/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The demons began begging Him, “If You drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” <a href="/csb/matthew/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “If you drive us out,” the demons begged him, “send us into the herd of pigs.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If You drive us out,&#8221 the demons begged Him, &#8220send us into the herd of pigs.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine. <a href="/cev/matthew/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So the demons begged Jesus, "If you force us out, please send us into those pigs!" <a href="/erv/matthew/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine. <a href="/gwt/matthew/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The demons begged Jesus, "If you're going to force us out, send us into that herd of pigs." <a href="/gnt/matthew/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> So the demons begged Jesus, "If you are going to drive us out, send us into that herd of pigs." <a href="/isv/matthew/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> So the demons began to plead with Jesus, saying, "If you drive us out, send us into that herd of pigs." <a href="/msb/matthew/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So the demons begged Jesus, ?If You drive us out, permit us to go off into the herd of pigs.? <a href="/net/matthew/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Then the demons begged him, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs." <a href="/nheb/matthew/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs." <a href="/wbt/matthew/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> So the demons besought him, saying, If thou expellest us, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. <a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So the demons entreated Him. "If Thou drivest us out," they said, "send us into the herd of swine." <a href="/web/matthew/8.htm">World English Bible</a> The demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of pigs.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the demons were calling on Him, saying, “If You cast us forth, permit us to go away into the herd of the pigs”; <a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the demons were begging Him, saying, "If You cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs." <a href="/ylt/matthew/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the demons were calling on him, saying, 'If thou dost cast us forth, permit us to go away to the herd of the swine;' <a href="/slt/matthew/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the evil spirits besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the devils besought him, saying: If thou cast us out hence, send us into the herd of swine. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then the demons petitioned him, saying: “If you cast us from here, send us into the herd of swine.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/8.htm">New American Bible</a> The demons pleaded with him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of swine.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the lunatics kept asking him, saying, If you are going to heal us, permit us to attack # the herd of swine. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But those demons were begging him and saying, “If you cast us out, allow us to go into the herd of pigs.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And the demons besought him, saying: If thou cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine. <a href="/godbey/matthew/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And the demons continued to intreat him, saying, If you cast us out, permit us to depart into the herd of swine. <a href="/haweis/matthew/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, permit us to go into the herd of swine. <a href="/mace/matthew/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> So the devils entreated him, saying, if you force us out, suffer us to retire into the herd of swine. <a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> So the demons entreated Him. "If Thou drivest us out," they said, "send us into the herd of swine." <a href="/worrell/matthew/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And the demons were entreating Him, saying, "If Thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine." <a href="/worsley/matthew/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> saying, If Thou cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine: <a href="/parallel/matthew/8-31.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=2018" 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> …30In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">So</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- 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/1142.htm" title="1142: daimones (N-NMP) -- An evil-spirit, demon. From daio; a d?Mon or supernatural spirit.">demons</a> <a href="/greek/3870.htm" title="3870: parekaloun (V-IIA-3P) -- From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.">begged</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.">Jesus,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">“If</a> <a href="/greek/1544.htm" title="1544: ekballeis (V-PIA-2S) -- To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.">You drive us out,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmas (PPro-A1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> <a href="/greek/649.htm" title="649: aposteilon (V-AMA-2S) -- From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively.">send us</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmas (PPro-A1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></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.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- 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/34.htm" title="34: agelēn (N-AFS) -- A flock, herd. From ago; a drove.">herd</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5519.htm" title="5519: choirōn (N-GMP) -- A swine, hog, sow. Of uncertain derivation; a hog.">of pigs.”</a> 32“Go!” He told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters.…<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/5-12.htm">Mark 5:12</a> So the demons begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, so that we may enter them.” <a href="/luke/8-32.htm">Luke 8:32</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Matthew 4:24</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">Matthew 12:43-45</a> 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.” <a href="/mark/1-23.htm">Mark 1:23-27</a> 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!” ... <a href="/luke/4-33.htm">Luke 4:33-36</a> 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. ... <a href="/matthew/9-32.htm">Matthew 9:32-33</a> As they were leaving, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to Jesus. / And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Matthew 15:22</a> And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” <a href="/matthew/17-18.htm">Matthew 17:18</a> Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. <a href="/mark/9-25.htm">Mark 9:25</a> When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.” <a href="/luke/9-42.htm">Luke 9:42</a> Even while the boy was approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a> 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. <a href="/acts/19-13.htm">Acts 19:13-16</a> Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” / Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. / But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ... <a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm">Leviticus 11:7</a> And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-8.htm">Deuteronomy 14:8</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>So the devils sought him, saying, If you cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.<a href="/mark/5-7.htm">Mark 5:7,12</a> And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not… <a href="/luke/8-30.htm">Luke 8:30-33</a> And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him… <a href="/revelation/12-12.htm">Revelation 12:12</a> Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jonah/4-8.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-6.htm">Besought</a> <a href="/matthew/8-16.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Demons</a> <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Devils</a> <a href="/matthew/7-22.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/psalms/68-2.htm">Drivest</a> <a href="/malachi/1-9.htm">Entreat</a> <a href="/matthew/8-5.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/8-30.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/matthew/8-29.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Permit</a> <a href="/matthew/8-30.htm">Pigs</a> <a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/matthew/8-22.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/8-30.htm">Swine</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/8-34.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/matthew/8-34.htm">Besought</a> <a href="/matthew/9-33.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/8-33.htm">Demons</a> <a href="/matthew/8-33.htm">Devils</a> <a href="/matthew/10-1.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/psalms/68-2.htm">Drivest</a> <a href="/matthew/9-38.htm">Entreat</a> <a href="/matthew/14-36.htm">Entreated</a> <a href="/matthew/8-33.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/8-32.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/matthew/8-34.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/1-34.htm">Permit</a> <a href="/matthew/8-32.htm">Pigs</a> <a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/matthew/8-33.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/matthew/9-12.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/matthew/11-12.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/8-32.htm">Swine</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>So the demons begged Jesus This phrase highlights the authority of Jesus over the spiritual realm. Demons, representing evil spirits, recognize Jesus' power and submit to His authority. This encounter demonstrates the reality of spiritual warfare and the acknowledgment of Jesus' divine nature by even the forces of darkness. The act of begging indicates their desperation and recognition of Jesus' superiority, aligning with <a href="/james/2-19.htm">James 2:19</a>, which states that even demons believe in God and shudder.“If You drive us out” The conditional "if" shows the demons' awareness that Jesus has the power to expel them. This reflects the broader biblical theme of Jesus' authority over evil, as seen in other exorcisms throughout the Gospels (e.g., <a href="/mark/1-23.htm">Mark 1:23-27</a>). The phrase also implies the inevitability of their expulsion, as Jesus' presence and mission are to confront and overcome evil. This aligns with 1 <a href="/john/3-8.htm">John 3:8</a>, which states that the Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.send us into the herd of pigs.” The request to enter the pigs is significant culturally and theologically. Pigs were considered unclean animals according to Jewish law (<a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm">Leviticus 11:7</a>), and their presence in the region of the Gadarenes, a predominantly Gentile area, underscores the cultural setting. The demons' desire to enter the pigs may reflect their need to inhabit a physical body, as spirits without a host are depicted as restless (<a href="/matthew/12-43.htm">Matthew 12:43-45</a>). This event foreshadows the ultimate defeat of evil, as the subsequent destruction of the pigs symbolizes the destructive nature of demonic influence and the cleansing power of Jesus' ministry.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is performing miracles and demonstrating His authority over the spiritual realm. 2. <a href="/topical/d/demons.htm">Demons</a> Spiritual beings opposed to God, who recognize Jesus' authority and plead with Him. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_herd_of_pigs.htm">The Herd of Pigs</a> A large group of pigs nearby, which the demons request to enter. 4. <a href="/topical/g/gadara.htm">Gadara</a> The region where this event takes place, often associated with Gentile territory. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_demon-possessed_men.htm">The Demon-Possessed Men</a> Individuals who are tormented by demons and are the focus of Jesus' miraculous intervention.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/authority_of_jesus.htm">Authority of Jesus</a> Jesus' command over the demons demonstrates His supreme authority over all creation, both physical and spiritual. <a href="/topical/r/recognition_of_jesus'_power.htm">Recognition of Jesus' Power</a> Even the demons recognize and submit to Jesus' authority, reminding us of the power inherent in His name. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a> This passage illustrates the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for believers to rely on Jesus' power in their own spiritual battles. <a href="/topical/c/compassion_and_deliverance.htm">Compassion and Deliverance</a> Jesus' willingness to deliver the demon-possessed men shows His compassion and desire to free individuals from bondage. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> The destruction of the pigs can be seen as a reminder that following Jesus may come with a cost, but the spiritual freedom He offers is invaluable.<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/why_did_jesus_let_demons_enter_pigs.htm">Why did Jesus permit demons to enter pigs?</a> <a href="/q/is_job_4_15-16_a_vision_or_hallucination.htm">In Job 4:15–16, is the description of a spirit encounter credible or scientifically verifiable, or could it be a hallucination or vision? </a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_different_types_of_demons.htm">What are the different types of demons?</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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) So the devils besought him.--As St. Mark gives the words, "that He should not send them out of the country," or district, in which they were; as in St. Luke's report, "that He would not command them to go out into the deep," i.e., the abyss, the "bottomless pit" of <a href="/context/revelation/9-1.htm" title="And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.">Revelation 9:1-2</a>; <a href="/revelation/9-11.htm" title="And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue has his name Apollyon.">Revelation 9:11</a>. The words of the man are as those of the demons with whom he identifies himself. He shrinks from the thought of wandering in dry places, "seeking rest, and finding none" (<a href="/matthew/12-43.htm" title="When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.">Matthew 12:43</a>), or being compelled to flee, like Asmodeus, into "the utmost parts of Egypt" (<a href="//apocrypha.org/tobit/8-3.htm" title="The which smell when the evil spirit had smelled, he fled into the utmost parts of Egypt, and the angel bound him.">Tobit 8:3</a>), or, worst fate of all, to be sent into the "abyss," which was the ultimate doom of evil. And so he, as one with them, suggests another alternative: "If Thou cast us out, send us into the herd of swine. If the power to terrify and disturb men is taken from us, let us, at least, retain the power to destroy brutes." <a href="/commentaries/matthew/8-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <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. demons δαίμονες (daimones) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1142.htm">Strong's 1142: </a> An evil-spirit, demon. From daio; a d?Mon or supernatural spirit. begged παρεκάλουν (parekaloun) Verb - Imperfect 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. [Jesus], 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. “If Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. You drive us out, ἐκβάλλεις (ekballeis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1544.htm">Strong's 1544: </a> To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject. send us ἀπόστειλον (aposteilon) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_649.htm">Strong's 649: </a> From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively. into 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. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative 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. herd ἀγέλην (agelēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_34.htm">Strong's 34: </a> A flock, herd. From ago; a drove. of pigs.” χοίρων (choirōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5519.htm">Strong's 5519: </a> A swine, hog, sow. Of uncertain derivation; a hog. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 8:31 The demons begged him saying If you (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/8-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 8:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 8:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/8-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 8:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 8:32" /></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>