Luke 8:27

KJV

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in [any] house, but in the tombs.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when he {G846} went forth {G1831} to {G1909} land {G1093}, there met {G5221} him {G846} out of {G1537} the city {G4172} a certain {G5100} man {G435}, which {G3739} had {G2192} devils {G1140} long {G1537}{G2425} time {G5550}, and {G2532} ware {G1737} no {G3756} clothes {G2440}, neither {G2532}{G3756} abode {G3306} in {G1722} any house {G3614}, but {G235} in {G1722} the tombs {G3418}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As Yeshua stepped ashore, a man from the town who had demons came to meet him. For a long time he had not worn clothes; and he lived, not in a house, but in the burial caves.

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothing or lived in a house, but he stayed in the tombs.

American Standard Version

And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had demons; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in any house, but in the tombs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:27 introduces Jesus' encounter with a severely demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes immediately after calming a storm. This verse vividly portrays the man's desperate condition: he had been afflicted by demons for a long time, wore no clothes, and lived not in a house but among the tombs. It sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between Jesus' divine authority and the forces of spiritual darkness, highlighting the profound degradation and isolation caused by demonic oppression and Jesus' compassionate pursuit of the utterly marginalized.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse follows directly after Jesus' miraculous calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, as recorded in [Luke 8:22-25](/luke/8-22-25 "Luke 8:22-25 - Jesus Calms the Storm"). The narrative progression is significant: having demonstrated His authority over the natural elements, Jesus immediately confronts an even more profound realm of chaos – the spiritual. His arrival on land is met not by welcoming crowds, but by a man in the most extreme state of spiritual and physical bondage. This dramatic shift from natural to supernatural dominion underscores the comprehensive scope of Jesus' power and mission, setting the stage for one of His most powerful exorcisms, which culminates in the man's complete restoration and subsequent evangelism in the Decapolis region, as seen in [Luke 8:38-39](/luke/8-38-39 "Luke 8:38-39 - The Healed Man's Testimony").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The region Jesus lands in is identified as the country of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes in parallel accounts, e.g., [Matthew 8:28](/matthew/8-28 "Matthew 8:28 - The Gadarene Demoniacs")). This area was part of the Decapolis, a predominantly Gentile region known for its Hellenistic culture and, notably, its pig farming, which would be ritually unclean for Jews. The man's dwelling "in the tombs" is particularly significant: tombs were considered places of ritual impurity in Jewish law (Numbers 19:16) and were often associated with demonic activity and uncleanness. A person living among them, naked and outcast, would be seen as utterly defiled, feared, and beyond the pale of normal society, highlighting the man's complete social and spiritual isolation and the depths of his suffering.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 8:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it emphasizes Jesus' **unrivaled authority over all spiritual forces**, demonstrating that even the most entrenched and destructive demonic oppression is subject to His command. Secondly, it highlights Jesus' profound **compassion for the marginalized and outcast**, as He actively seeks out and engages with someone considered utterly beyond hope and human help. This aligns with Luke's consistent portrayal of Jesus' ministry to the poor, the sick, and the socially rejected, as exemplified in His mission statement in [Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement"). Finally, the verse underscores the **destructive power of evil and spiritual bondage**, vividly illustrating how it can strip a person of their dignity, sanity, and place in society, preparing the reader for the dramatic transformation that Jesus is about to bring.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Devils (Greek, _daimónion'_):** This term, found in the phrase "had devils long time," refers to "demons" or "evil spirits," rather than "the Devil" (Satan) himself. The KJV translation "devils" can be misleading as it often implies a singular, supreme evil being. In this context, _daimónion_ (G1140) denotes malevolent spiritual entities that possess and torment individuals, demonstrating their pervasive and destructive influence over the man's life.
* **Clothes (Greek, _himátion'_):** The phrase "ware no clothes" uses _himátion_ (G2440), which refers to an outer garment or dress. The absence of clothing signifies a profound loss of human dignity, social standing, and self-care. In ancient cultures, nakedness was often a sign of extreme destitution, madness, or public shame, emphasizing the man's complete degradation and alienation from normal human society.
* **Tombs (Greek, _mnēma'_):** The man's dwelling "in the tombs" uses _mnēma_ (G3418), meaning a "memorial" or "sepulchral monument" (burial-place). This detail is crucial, as tombs were considered ritually unclean places and were often associated with death, decay, and the presence of spirits. Living in such a place underscores the man's complete separation from community, his ritual impurity, and his profound spiritual and physical desolation, effectively making him a living dead man.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he went forth to land":** This clause describes Jesus' immediate action upon disembarking from the boat. It highlights the intentionality of His arrival in this particular, often avoided, Gentile region, signifying His readiness to confront the spiritual darkness present there.
* **"there met him out of the city a certain man":** This indicates an immediate, almost confrontational, encounter. The man is described as coming "out of the city," suggesting he was an outcast from settled human habitation, forced to live on the fringes of society due to his condition. The use of "a certain man" emphasizes his anonymity and the universality of his suffering.
* **"which had devils long time":** This is the core diagnosis of the man's affliction. "Had devils" (demon possession) points to a supernatural oppression, not merely a physical or mental illness. The phrase "long time" (Greek: _hikanō chronō_) emphasizes the chronic, enduring, and deeply entrenched nature of his torment, suggesting years of suffering and the profound grip of these evil entities.
* **"and ware no clothes":** This detail paints a vivid picture of the man's extreme degradation and loss of human dignity. His nakedness symbolizes his complete abandonment of social norms and self-respect, a direct consequence of his demonic bondage.
* **"neither abode in [any] house, but in the tombs":** This final phrase underscores the man's utter homelessness, isolation, and ritual impurity. He is not merely without a dwelling but specifically resides in places of death and defilement, reinforcing his status as an outcast, feared and avoided by all. His dwelling among the dead symbolizes his own spiritual death and separation from the living.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 8:27 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the man's desperate state and the dramatic nature of the encounter. **Juxtaposition** is evident as Jesus, having just calmed the chaotic natural world, immediately faces the chaotic spiritual world embodied by the man. The serenity of the calmed sea is instantly contrasted with the wild, unrestrained suffering of the demoniac. **Symbolism** is richly used: the man's nakedness symbolizes his complete loss of dignity, humanity, and social standing, while his dwelling in the tombs symbolizes his spiritual death, ritual impurity, and total alienation from the living community. The "long time" of his affliction employs **hyperbole** to emphasize the chronic and seemingly incurable nature of his bondage, heightening the sense of despair and the magnitude of the deliverance Jesus is about to bring. The vivid, almost shocking, description of the man's condition also serves as a form of **pathos**, evoking deep pity and horror in the reader, preparing them for the profound impact of Jesus' intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:27 serves as a stark reminder of the reality and destructive power of spiritual warfare, demonstrating that evil forces can utterly devastate a human life, stripping away dignity, sanity, and social connection. Yet, it simultaneously highlights Jesus' divine authority and His unwavering mission to confront and conquer these very forces. This encounter underscores that no one, regardless of the depth of their degradation or the severity of their bondage, is beyond the reach of Christ's liberating power and compassionate love. It reveals Jesus' willingness to cross cultural and social boundaries, entering ritually unclean spaces and engaging with the most feared and marginalized individuals, embodying His commitment to setting the captives free.

* [Mark 5:1-20](/mark/5-1-20 "Mark 5:1-20 - The Gerasene Demoniac")
* [Matthew 8:28-34](/matthew/8-28-34 "Matthew 8:28-34 - The Gadarene Demoniacs")
* [Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Nazareth Manifesto")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:27 presents a powerful challenge and comfort for believers today. The man's condition—naked, homeless, living among the dead, and tormented by demons—represents the deepest forms of human suffering and spiritual bondage imaginable. Yet, it is precisely to such an individual that Jesus comes, demonstrating that His compassion extends to the utterly broken and outcast. This verse calls us to cultivate a radical empathy for those on the fringes of society, recognizing that their outward struggles often mask profound inner brokenness or spiritual battles. It compels us to remember that true transformation comes not from human effort or societal programs alone, but from the sovereign power of Christ to deliver from every form of bondage—whether spiritual, emotional, or physical. We are invited to trust in Jesus' authority over all darkness and to participate in His mission of bringing light and liberty to those who are captive.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the man's extreme condition challenge your understanding of human dignity and the reach of God's compassion?**
* **In what ways might spiritual bondage manifest in our world today, and how can we, as followers of Christ, respond with both compassion and faith in Jesus' authority?**
* **What "tombs" or places of isolation and despair might people be living in today, and how can we be instruments of Christ's liberating presence to them?**

### FAQ

**What does "had devils long time" mean in Luke 8:27?**

Answer: The phrase "had devils long time" indicates that the man was under severe and prolonged demonic possession. The Greek word translated "devils" (G1140, _daimónion_) refers to demons or evil spirits, not Satan himself. This signifies a supernatural affliction where malevolent spiritual entities had taken control of the man, causing his erratic behavior, isolation, and profound suffering for an extended period. It underscores the chronic and deeply entrenched nature of his spiritual bondage, highlighting the destructive power of these forces over a human life.

**Why was the man living "in the tombs" and "ware no clothes"?**

Answer: The man's dwelling "in the tombs" (G3418, _mnēma_) and his nakedness ("ware no clothes," G2440, _himátion_) are vivid descriptions of his utter degradation and alienation. Living in tombs was a sign of extreme social ostracism and ritual impurity in that culture; tombs were considered unclean places and were often associated with demonic activity. His nakedness symbolized a complete loss of human dignity, self-care, and social integration, reducing him to an animal-like state. These details emphasize the profound impact of his demonic possession, which had stripped him of everything that made him human and socially acceptable, forcing him into a desolate existence outside the bounds of normal society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:27, in its raw depiction of human degradation and spiritual bondage, profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The man's state—naked, homeless, demon-possessed, and dwelling among the dead—is a powerful symbol of humanity's fallen condition apart from Christ: alienated from God, stripped of true dignity, and enslaved by sin and spiritual forces. Jesus' arrival and immediate confrontation with this man exemplify His ultimate mission as the Son of God, who came to destroy the works of the devil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Works of the Devil")) and to set the captives free ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). He is the true Deliverer, whose authority transcends all earthly and spiritual powers, including the darkest forces of evil. By restoring this man to his right mind, clothed and sitting at Jesus' feet ([Luke 8:35](/luke/8-35 "Luke 8:35 - The Demoniac Restored")), Jesus foreshadows His ultimate victory over sin and death, offering true liberation and restoration to all who are held captive. He is the one who brings light into the deepest darkness, embodying the hope of resurrection and new life for those who were spiritually dead ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 5:2

And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

Mark 5:5

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

1 Samuel 19:24

And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, [Is] Saul also among the prophets?

Numbers 19:16

And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.

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;