King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Now some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.
Berean Standard Bible:
In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding.
American Standard Version:
Now there was afar off from them a herd of many swine feeding.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G1161} there was{G2258} a good way off{G3112} from{G575} them{G846} an herd{G34} of many{G4183} swine{G5519} feeding{G1006}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Mark 5:11
- Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
Leviticus 11:7
- And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he [is] unclean to you.
Deuteronomy 14:8
- And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it [is] unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
Isaiah 66:3
- He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine's blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
Luke 8:32
- And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
Isaiah 65:3
- A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
Isaiah 65:4
- Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Matthew 8:30
Matthew 8:30 is part of the narrative concerning Jesus' encounter with two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes (also known as the Gerasenes or Gergesenes, depending on the manuscript). This event occurs shortly after Jesus has calmed a storm on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating His authority over nature. Upon landing, Jesus is confronted by the men who are so tormented by demons that they are violent and unable to be restrained by chains.
The verse in question, Matthew 8:30, specifically mentions a herd of swine feeding in the distance. This detail is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it sets the scene in an agricultural context typical of the region, where herding animals was a common occupation. Secondly, the presence of swine is notable because Jewish dietary laws forbade the consumption of pork, making the keeping of pigs by Jews unusual, and indicating that the area may have been influenced by Gentile practices.
The swine serve a pivotal role in the subsequent verses (Matthew 8:31-32), where, at the demons' request, Jesus allows them to enter the herd of swine. When the demons possess the swine, the entire herd rushes down a steep bank into the sea and drowns. This dramatic event highlights Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm and the demons, and it also serves as a powerful symbol of the destructive nature of evil and the liberating power of Jesus' presence.
The historical context of this passage reflects the tension between Jewish and Gentile cultures in the region, as well as the prevailing beliefs about demon possession and mental illness in the ancient world. The reaction of the local people to this event—they plead with Jesus to leave their region (Matthew 8:34)—demonstrates their unease with such a display of supernatural power and perhaps their economic concern over the loss of the swine.
In summary, Matthew 8:30 is a verse that situates the reader within a story that illustrates Jesus' power over the demonic, His ability to restore individuals to wholeness, and the complex interactions between Jewish and Gentile societies in the first century. It also raises questions about the value of material possessions in the face of spiritual liberation and the fear of the unknown.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G2258
There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἦν
Transliteration: ēn
Pronunciation: ane
Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were. - Strong's Number: G3112
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μακράν
Transliteration: makrán
Pronunciation: mak-ran'
Description: feminine accusative case singular of μακρός (ὁδός being implied); at a distance (literally or figuratively):--(a-)far (off), good (great) way off. - Strong's Number: G575
There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπό
Transliteration: apó
Pronunciation: apo'
Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G34
There are 1427 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγέλη
Transliteration: agélē
Pronunciation: ag-el'-ay
Description: from ἄγω (compare ἄγγελος); a drove:--herd. - Strong's Number: G4183
There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πολύς
Transliteration: polýs
Pronunciation: pol-oos'
Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων. - Strong's Number: G5519
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χοῖρος
Transliteration: choîros
Pronunciation: khoy'-ros
Description: of uncertain derivation; a hog:--swine. - Strong's Number: G1006
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βόσκω
Transliteration: bóskō
Pronunciation: bos'-ko
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (compare βιβρώσκω, βοῦς); to pasture; by extension to, fodder; reflexively, to graze:--feed, keep.