Luke 8:33

Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.

Then {G1161} went {G1831} the devils {G1140} out of {G575} the man {G444}, and entered {G1525} into {G1519} the swine {G5519}: and {G2532} the herd {G34} ran {G3729} violently down {G2596} a steep {G2911} place into {G1519} the lake {G3041}, and {G2532} were choked {G638}.

The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, whereupon the herd rushed down the hillside into the lake and were drowned.

Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

And the demons came out from the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were drowned.

Context

Luke 8:33 describes the dramatic climax of Jesus' encounter with the demon-possessed man in the country of the Gadarenes (or Gerasenes). The preceding verses, starting from Luke 8:26, detail how Jesus arrived in the region and was immediately met by a man who had been tormented by many demons for a long time. These demons, recognizing Jesus' divine authority, pleaded not to be sent into the abyss but instead requested permission to enter a large herd of swine grazing nearby (Luke 8:32). This account is also found in parallel narratives in Matthew 8:28-34 and Mark 5:1-20, providing further context to Jesus' unparalleled power over spiritual forces.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Absolute Authority: This verse powerfully demonstrates Jesus' complete dominion over demons and evil spirits. They could not act without His permission, and even when granted, their actions led to self-destruction. This highlights that Jesus is not merely a healer but the sovereign Lord over all creation, both seen and unseen.
  • The Destructive Nature of Evil: The immediate and violent destruction of the swine illustrates the inherent nature of demonic activity. Evil seeks to destroy, whether it's a human life (as seen in the man's previous torment) or a herd of animals. The demons' entry into the swine resulted in their immediate demise, showing their ultimate goal is chaos and ruin.
  • The Value of a Human Soul: Jesus permitted the destruction of the swine, which represented significant economic loss for the region, in exchange for the deliverance of one man. This underscores the immeasurable value God places on a single human life and soul over any material possession or worldly cost. It echoes the sentiment that a man profits nothing if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "devils" to translate the Greek word daimonia (δαιμόνια), which is more accurately rendered as "demons" in modern translations. This distinction is important because the Bible typically refers to Satan as "the devil" (diabolos), while "demons" are his subordinate evil spirits. The term "choked" comes from the Greek word apopnigo (ἀποπνίγω), meaning to drown or suffocate, vividly describing the swine's immediate demise in the lake.

Practical Application

This powerful account offers several practical applications for believers today:

  • Hope for Deliverance: For those struggling with spiritual oppression, addiction, or seemingly insurmountable issues, this narrative provides profound hope. Jesus' power to deliver is absolute and extends to the deepest forms of bondage.
  • Recognizing Spiritual Realities: The event reminds us that there is a real spiritual realm, and evil forces are at work. However, it also reassures us that Jesus has conquered these forces, and believers, through Him, can stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
  • Prioritizing People Over Possessions: The narrative challenges us to evaluate our own priorities. Do we value human lives and spiritual well-being more than material comfort or financial gain? The villagers' subsequent reaction of fear and desire for Jesus to leave (Luke 8:37) suggests they prioritized their swine over the presence of the One who could bring ultimate freedom.
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.

  • Luke 8:22

    ¶ Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

  • Luke 8:23

    But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy.

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

  • Revelation 9:11

    And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath [his] name Apollyon.

  • John 8:44

    Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

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