Luke 8:29

(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

(For {G1063} he had commanded {G3853}{G3853} the unclean {G169} spirit {G4151} to come {G1831} out of {G575} the man {G444}. For {G1063} oftentimes {G4183}{G5550} it had caught {G4884} him {G846}: and {G2532} he was kept {G5442} bound {G1196} with chains {G254} and {G2532} in fetters {G3976}; and {G2532} he brake {G1284} the bands {G1199}, and was driven {G1643} of {G5259} the devil {G1142} into {G1519} the wilderness {G2048}.)

For Yeshua had ordered the unclean spirit to come out of the man. It had often taken hold of him -- he had been kept under guard, chained hand and foot, but had broken the bonds and been driven by the demon into the desert.

For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles, he had broken the chains and been driven by the demon into solitary places.

For he was commanding the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the demon into the deserts.

Context of Luke 8:29

This verse provides crucial background detail within the narrative of Jesus's encounter with the Gerasene (or Gadarene) demoniac. It explains the severe condition of the man before Jesus's miraculous intervention. Having just arrived in the country of the Gadarenes, Jesus immediately confronts a man possessed by a legion of demons. Verse 29 retrospectively clarifies the extent of the man's torment and the futility of human attempts to control him, setting the stage for the demonstration of Jesus's unparalleled authority.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Extreme Demonic Oppression: The verse powerfully illustrates the devastating impact of severe demonic possession. The man's inability to be contained by chains or fetters, and his being "driven of the devil into the wilderness," paints a picture of profound suffering, isolation, and superhuman strength, indicating a spiritual force beyond normal human capacity to manage.
  • Human Helplessness Against Spiritual Evil: The repeated failure of human efforts to bind the man underscores the inadequacy of physical restraints against spiritual powers. This highlights the helplessness of humanity when confronted with such dark forces, emphasizing the need for divine intervention.
  • Jesus's Ultimate Authority: Although the explicit command is given in the preceding verse (Luke 8:28), this verse explains why Jesus's command was necessary. It implicitly contrasts the weakness of human chains with the absolute power of Jesus's word. His ability to command the "unclean spirit" (Greek: pneuma akatharton), which had previously overcome all human attempts at restraint, reveals Jesus's divine authority over all spiritual forces.

Linguistic Insights

The term "unclean spirit" (Greek: pneuma akatharton) is a common New Testament designation for demons, emphasizing their defiling and impure nature in contrast to God's holiness. The description that the man "brake the bands" and "was driven of the devil into the wilderness" vividly portrays the supernatural strength and torment inflicted by the demonic entity, compelling the man into desolate and dangerous places, away from human society.

Practical Application

Luke 8:29 serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of spiritual forces and the limitations of human power against them. For believers, it reinforces the truth that:

  • There are spiritual battles that cannot be fought with physical means alone.
  • Jesus Christ possesses ultimate authority over all evil and darkness. His power is far greater than any force that seeks to bind or torment.
  • This narrative offers hope for those who feel bound by circumstances, addictions, or spiritual oppression, pointing to Jesus as the one who can truly set them free. Just as He liberated the Gerasene demoniac, He offers true freedom to all who come to Him.

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.

  • Mark 9:20

    And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

  • Mark 9:26

    And [the spirit] cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

  • Luke 9:42

    And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare [him]. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

  • 2 Timothy 2:25

    In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

  • 2 Timothy 2:26

    And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

  • Mark 5:8

    For he said unto him, Come out of the man, [thou] unclean spirit.

  • Luke 9:39

    And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

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