Luke 8:34

When they that fed [them] saw what was done, they fled, and went and told [it] in the city and in the country.

When {G1161} they that fed {G1006} them saw {G1492} what was done {G1096}, they fled {G5343}, and {G2532} went {G565} and told {G518} it in {G1519} the city {G4172} and {G2532} in {G1519} the country {G68}.

When the swineherds saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the town and in the country;

When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside.

And when they that fed them saw what had come to pass, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.

Commentary

Luke 8:34 KJV describes the immediate reaction of the swineherds after witnessing Jesus cast a legion of demons out of a man and into their herd of pigs, which then drowned in the lake. Their response of flight and reporting sets the stage for the wider community's reaction to this extraordinary miracle.

Context

This verse directly follows the dramatic account of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, depending on the manuscript tradition). In Luke 8:26-33, Jesus confronts a man possessed by many demons, who identify themselves as "Legion." At their request, Jesus permits them to enter a large herd of pigs, which subsequently rush down a steep bank into the lake and drown. The swineherds, whose livelihood was just destroyed by this event, were eyewitnesses to the entire powerful and terrifying spectacle. Their flight indicates both fear for their own safety and the urgency to relay the astonishing news to the nearby city and surrounding countryside.

Key Themes

  • Fear and Amazement: The swineherds' immediate reaction—fleeing and reporting—underscores the profound fear and awe evoked by Jesus's power. It wasn't just the loss of the pigs but the raw, unbridled display of divine authority over spiritual forces that terrified them.
  • Spreading the News: Though driven by fear, the swineherds unwittingly become messengers of Jesus's miracle. Their urgent report ensures that the news of what happened spreads quickly throughout the region, drawing the attention of the entire community (as seen in Luke 8:35).
  • Jesus' Authority: This event powerfully demonstrates Jesus' unparalleled authority not only over unclean spirits but also indirectly over economic interests and the natural world. The destruction of the pigs, while tragic for the owners, was a consequence of the demons' destructive nature and ultimately served to highlight the magnitude of the deliverance.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "fled" is ephygon (ἔφυγον), emphasizing a hasty and terrified escape. "Told" is apēngeilan (ἀπήγγειλαν), meaning to announce, report, or bring tidings. These terms convey the urgency and significance of their actions, highlighting that they were not merely walking away but actively disseminating the news of what they had witnessed.

Practical Application

Luke 8:34 reminds us that encounters with God's power often evoke strong reactions, from fear to wonder. It also illustrates how news of extraordinary events, especially those involving spiritual deliverance, can spread rapidly. For us today, it highlights:

  • The Impact of Divine Intervention: When God acts powerfully, it rarely goes unnoticed. Whether in our personal lives or in the world, His work has ripple effects.
  • Sharing the Testimony: Though the swineherds' motivation was fear, their action led to the community hearing about Jesus. We are called to share the good news of what Christ has done, even when it challenges worldly perspectives or comfort zones.
  • The Cost of the Gospel: The loss of the pigs represented a significant economic cost. Sometimes, encountering Jesus and His truth can challenge our worldly comforts or priorities, calling us to a different set of values.
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Cross-References

  • Mark 5:14

    And they that fed the swine fled, and told [it] in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

  • Acts 19:16

    And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

  • Acts 19:17

    And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

  • Matthew 8:33

    And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.

  • Matthew 28:11

    ¶ Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
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