And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"All right, go!" he told them. So they came out and went into the pigs, whereupon the entire herd rushed down the hillside into the lake and drowned.
Berean Standard Bible:
“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.
American Standard Version:
And he said unto them, Go. And they came out, and went into the swine: and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep into the sea, and perished in the waters.
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
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Commentary for Matthew 8:32
Matthew 8:32 is part of the narrative where Jesus encounters two men possessed by demons 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. The demon-possessed men are so fierce that no one can pass by them, and they beg Jesus to send them into a herd of swine grazing nearby.
In this verse, Jesus commands the demons to leave the men, and they obey, entering the swine. The subsequent actions—the herd rushing down a steep bank and drowning in the sea—dramatically illustrate the destructive nature of the demons and the power of Jesus' authority. The loss of the swine would have been economically significant to the local people, which may explain the subsequent reaction of the townspeople, who ask Jesus to leave their region (Matthew 8:34).
The themes present in this verse include the power of Jesus over the spiritual realm, the reality of the demonic in the Gospel narrative, and the contrast between the value of human souls and material possessions. Historically, the presence of a herd of swine indicates that the area included non-Jewish inhabitants, as pigs were considered unclean by Jewish dietary laws. This detail, along with the geographical setting, reflects the diverse cultural context of Jesus' ministry and the inclusive nature of his mission. The dramatic expulsion of the demons and their self-destruction also serves as a powerful sign to the onlookers of the superiority of Jesus' divine authority over the forces of evil.
*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: G2532 There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: καί Transliteration: kaí Pronunciation: kahee Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G2036 There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἔπω Transliteration: épō Pronunciation: ep'-o Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
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: G5217 There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὑπάγω Transliteration: hypágō Pronunciation: hoop-ag'-o Description: from ὑπό and ἄγω; to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively:--depart, get hence, go (a-)way.
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: G1831 There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι Transliteration: exérchomai Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
Strong's Number: G565 There are 2564 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἀπέρχομαι Transliteration: apérchomai Pronunciation: ap-erkh'-om-ahee Description: from ἀπό and ἔρχομαι; to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or figuratively:--come, depart, go (aside, away, back, out, … ways), pass away, be past.
Strong's Number: G1519 There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: εἰς Transliteration: eis Pronunciation: ice Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
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: 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: G2400 There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἰδού Transliteration: idoú Pronunciation: id-oo' Description: second person singular imperative middle voice of εἴδω; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.
Strong's Number: G3956 There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πᾶς Transliteration: pâs Pronunciation: pas Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Strong's Number: G3729 There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὁρμάω Transliteration: hormáō Pronunciation: hor-mah'-o Description: from ὁρμή; to start, spur or urge on, i.e. (reflexively) to dash or plunge:--run (violently), rush.
Strong's Number: G2596 There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: κατά Transliteration: katá Pronunciation: kat-ah' Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
Strong's Number: G2911 There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: κρημνός Transliteration: krēmnós Pronunciation: krame-nos' Description: from κρεμάννυμι; overhanging, i.e. a precipice:--steep place.
Strong's Number: G2281 There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: θάλασσα Transliteration: thálassa Pronunciation: thal'-as-sah Description: probably prolonged from ἅλς; the sea (genitive case or specially):--sea.
Strong's Number: G599 There are 99 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἀποθνήσκω Transliteration: apothnḗskō Pronunciation: ap-oth-nace'-ko Description: from ἀπό and θνήσκω; to die off (literally or figuratively):--be dead, death, die, lie a-dying, be slain (X with).
Strong's Number: G1722 There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐν Transliteration: en Pronunciation: en Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Strong's Number: G5204 There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὕδωρ Transliteration: hýdōr Pronunciation: hoo'-dat-os Description: from the base of ὑετός; water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively:--water.