Luke 8:28

When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, [thou] Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

When {G1161} he saw {G1492} Jesus {G2424}, he cried out {G349}, and {G2532} fell down before {G4363} him {G846}, and {G2532} with a loud {G3173} voice {G5456} said {G2036}, What {G5101} have I {G1698} to do with {G2532} thee {G4671}, Jesus {G2424}, thou Son {G5207} of God {G2316} most high {G5310}? I beseech {G1189} thee {G4675}, torment {G928} me {G3165} not {G3361}.

Catching sight of Yeshua, he screamed, fell down in front of him and yelled, "Yeshua! Son of God Ha`Elyon! What do you want with me? I beg you, don't torture me!"

When the man saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, shouting in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You not to torture me!”

And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not.

Commentary on Luke 8:28 (KJV)

Luke 8:28 records a dramatic encounter between Jesus and a man possessed by a legion of demons in the country of the Gerasenes. This verse captures the demons' immediate, fearful recognition of Jesus' ultimate authority and their desperate plea to avoid immediate judgment.

Context

This verse is part of the narrative often referred to as the healing of the Gerasene demoniac (or Gadarene demoniac, as in Matthew 8:28). Jesus and His disciples had just crossed the Sea of Galilee. Upon landing, they were immediately met by a man who had been living among the tombs, naked, and bound by no chains, for he was possessed by many demons. His condition was desperate, causing fear and isolation among the local people. The demons speaking through him instantly recognized Jesus' identity, leading to this fervent cry.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Authority Over Evil Spirits: The demons' reaction—crying out, falling down, and addressing Jesus as "Son of God most high"—demonstrates their complete submission to His power. They acknowledge His sovereignty and their inability to resist His command. This recognition of Jesus' divine power by evil spirits is a recurring theme in the Gospels, as seen in other encounters with unclean spirits.
  • Demonic Recognition of Jesus' Identity: Unlike many humans who struggled to grasp who Jesus was, the demons had no doubt. They knew He was the "Son of God most high," a title affirming His divine nature and supreme position. This highlights that even the forces of evil understand Jesus' true identity.
  • Fear of Torment and Judgment: The plea "torment me not" reveals the demons' awareness of their eventual fate and the impending judgment. They knew that their time of unchecked activity was limited and that Jesus possessed the authority to cast them into the abyss, a place of confinement and punishment. This fear points to their destined judgment.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Son of God most high": The Greek phrase is huios tou Theou tou hupsistou. This is a powerful and reverent title, acknowledging Jesus' unique relationship with God the Father and His supreme, divine authority. It's significant that this confession comes from demonic forces, underscoring the undeniable truth of Jesus' identity.
  • "What have I to do with thee?": The Greek idiom ti emoi kai soi literally means "What to me and to you?" It's an expression of strong disassociation, indicating a desire for non-interference or separation. In this context, it conveys the demons' desperation for Jesus not to intervene with their current activities or bring about their immediate judgment.

Practical Application

Luke 8:28 offers profound insights for believers today:

  • Jesus' Authority is Absolute: This passage reassures us that Jesus has ultimate authority over all spiritual forces, including the darkest evil. No demonic power can stand against Him.
  • Spiritual Warfare is Real: The encounter highlights the reality of spiritual opposition, but also the definitive power of Christ to overcome it.
  • Hope for the Oppressed: For those who feel bound by spiritual forces, addictions, or despair, this narrative offers immense hope. Jesus is able to deliver and restore.
  • Recognizing Jesus' Identity: If even demons recognize Jesus as the "Son of God most high," how much more should we, who seek salvation and eternal life, fully acknowledge and worship Him for who He is.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 8:29

    And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

  • 2 Peter 2:4

    For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

  • Isaiah 27:1

    ¶ In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that [is] in the sea.

  • Luke 8:37

    Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

  • Luke 8:38

    Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

  • James 2:19

    Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

  • Acts 16:16

    ¶ And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back