Luke 8:36

KJV

They also which saw [it] told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} They also {G2532} which saw {G1492} it told {G518} them {G846} by what means {G4459} he that was possessed of the devils {G1139} was healed {G4982}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who had seen it told how the formerly demonized man had been delivered.

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile, those who had seen it reported how the demon-possessed man had been healed.

American Standard Version

And they that saw it told them how he that was possessed with demons was made whole.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 8:36 serves as a pivotal summary statement within the dramatic account of Jesus' encounter with the Gerasene demoniac, emphasizing the undeniable eyewitness testimony to the miraculous healing. It highlights that those who personally observed the profound transformation of the man, previously tormented by a legion of demons, were the ones who disseminated the astonishing news, detailing the extraordinary means by which his complete deliverance was achieved. This verse underscores the credibility of the event and the unparalleled power of Jesus over spiritual forces.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of the Gerasene demoniac narrative, recorded in [Luke 8:26-39](/luke/8-26-39 "Luke 8:26-39 - The Gerasene Demoniac"). Immediately preceding it, Jesus has commanded a "legion" of demons out of the man, allowing them to enter a herd of pigs, which then rush into the lake and drown ([Luke 8:32-33](/luke/8-32-33 "Luke 8:32-33 - Demons Enter Pigs")). The swineherds, witnessing this terrifying and astonishing event, flee to the surrounding towns and countryside to report what they had seen. Verse 36 specifically refers to these eyewitnesses, distinguishing them from the general population who would later come out to see Jesus and the healed man. The subsequent verses describe the fear of the people and the healed man's desire to follow Jesus, ultimately being commissioned to share his testimony in his hometown ([Luke 8:37-39](/luke/8-37-39 "Luke 8:37-39 - The People's Fear and the Healed Man's Testimony")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, demon possession was a recognized, albeit often misunderstood, phenomenon. People attributed various physical and mental ailments to demonic influence. The Gerasenes (or Gadarenes, depending on the manuscript tradition) were a Gentile region, evident by the presence of pigs, which were unclean animals to Jews. The destructive power of the demons, manifesting as a "legion" (a Roman military unit of thousands), speaks to the severe nature of the man's affliction and the overwhelming force Jesus confronted. The reaction of the eyewitnesses—fleeing and reporting—is consistent with the shock and awe such a public and dramatic exorcism would evoke, especially one involving the economic loss of a large herd of pigs. The emphasis on "healing" (KJV) or "being saved" (NIV/ESV) in this context implies not just an exorcism but a restoration to sanity and social function, which was a profound societal benefit.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 8:36 contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates [Jesus' supreme authority over evil spirits](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits"), a recurring motif in His ministry ([Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - Jesus' Authority Over Demons")). Secondly, it highlights the crucial role of **eyewitness testimony** in validating Jesus' miracles and message, a theme Luke emphasizes throughout his gospel, particularly in his introduction ([Luke 1:1-4](/luke/1-1-4 "Luke 1:1-4 - Luke's Purpose for Writing")). Thirdly, the comprehensive nature of the man's transformation from a wild, naked, and dangerous individual to one "clothed and in his right mind" ([Luke 8:35](/luke/8-35 "Luke 8:35 - The Healed Man's Transformation")) underscores Jesus' power to bring **holistic healing and restoration**, not just physical or spiritual, but also mental and social. This foreshadows the broader redemptive work of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **daimonízomai (Greek, _daimonízomai'_):** This word, translated "possessed of the devils," literally means "to be exercised by a daemon" or "to be under the influence of demons." It conveys a state of profound and active control by evil spirits, highlighting the man's utter subjugation to these forces. His condition was not merely an illness but a spiritual bondage.
* **eídō (Greek, _eídō'_):** Translated as "saw," this verb implies not just a casual glance but a direct, perceptive observation. In its perfect tense, as used here, it carries the nuance of "to know" or "to be aware," emphasizing that the witnesses had firsthand, certain knowledge of the event, lending credibility to their report.
* **apangéllō (Greek, _apangéllō'_):** Rendered "told," this word means "to announce," "to declare," or "to report." It suggests a formal or public declaration of news, indicating that the eyewitnesses were actively spreading the account of what had happened, not merely mentioning it in passing.
* **pōs (Greek, _pōs'_):** Translated "by what means," this interrogative particle asks "in what way?" or "how?" It draws attention to the method or manner of the healing, emphasizing that the witnesses were explaining *how* this extraordinary deliverance occurred, pointing directly to Jesus' unique power and intervention.
* **sṓzō (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** This verb, translated "was healed," carries a broader meaning of "to save," "to deliver," or "to make whole." While "healed" is appropriate here, the underlying sense of "salvation" or "complete restoration" is significant, indicating that the man's deliverance was comprehensive, encompassing not just the expulsion of demons but his full return to sanity and well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They also which saw [it]":** This phrase identifies the crucial group of individuals who were present during the exorcism and the subsequent drowning of the pigs. Their direct observation of the events makes their testimony authoritative and undeniable. The inclusion of "also" (G1161, _dé_ or G2532, _kaí_) emphasizes that these were the specific people who had the direct visual experience.
* **"told them":** This indicates the act of communication and the recipients of the news. The eyewitnesses disseminated their account to the people of the city and the surrounding countryside, spreading the report of Jesus' power. The "them" refers to the broader community who had not directly witnessed the event.
* **"by what means":** This clause highlights the method or manner of the healing. It signifies that the witnesses were not just reporting *what* happened but *how* it happened, attributing the miraculous outcome to a specific, extraordinary intervention. This directs attention to Jesus' unique power and authority.
* **"he that was possessed of the devils":** This identifies the subject of the miracle—the man who had been notoriously and severely afflicted by multiple demons. This detail underscores the severity of his former condition, making his subsequent healing all the more remarkable.
* **"was healed":** This final clause states the outcome of Jesus' intervention. The use of "healed" (G4982, _sṓzō_) implies a complete and comprehensive restoration, not just the expulsion of demons but the man's return to a state of wholeness, sanity, and peace, as described in [Luke 8:35](/luke/8-35 "Luke 8:35 - The Healed Man's Transformation").

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several literary devices in this verse and the broader narrative to enhance its impact. The most prominent is **Eyewitness Testimony**, as the verse explicitly states "They also which saw it told them." This serves to authenticate the miracle, lending credibility to the extraordinary events described. Luke, as a careful historian, often emphasizes reliable witnesses. There is also an element of **Contrast** evident in the narrative: the man's former chaotic, dangerous state is starkly contrasted with his peaceful, sane, and clothed demeanor after the healing ([Luke 8:27-29](/luke/8-27-29 "Luke 8:27-29 - The Demoniac's Torment") vs. [Luke 8:35](/luke/8-35 "Luke 8:35 - The Healed Man's Transformation")). This contrast highlights the transformative power of Jesus. Furthermore, the **Dramatic Irony** is present in the reaction of the Gerasenes: while the healed man desires to follow Jesus, the townspeople, upon hearing the full account, are filled with fear and ask Jesus to leave their region ([Luke 8:37](/luke/8-37 "Luke 8:37 - The Gerasenes' Fear")). Their fear of Jesus' power and the economic loss outweighs their wonder at the man's liberation, creating a poignant commentary on human priorities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 8:36 powerfully affirms Jesus' absolute sovereignty over all spiritual forces of evil. The testimony of the eyewitnesses is crucial, not merely as a historical detail, but as a theological statement: God, in Christ, has decisively invaded the realm of darkness and demonstrated His unparalleled authority. This event showcases that no human condition, no matter how severe or demonically oppressed, is beyond the reach of Jesus' saving and healing power. The comprehensive nature of the man's restoration—from wildness to sanity, from isolation to community—prefigures the holistic redemption offered through Christ, encompassing mind, body, and spirit. It also underscores the importance of sharing personal testimony, as the eyewitnesses, and later the healed man himself, became heralds of God's mighty work.

* [Mark 5:19-20](/mark/5-19-20 "Mark 5:19-20 - The Healed Man's Testimony")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 8:36 invites us to consider the profound impact of genuine transformation and the responsibility of bearing witness to it. Just as the Gerasene eyewitnesses could not remain silent about the astonishing deliverance they had seen, so too are believers called to share the good news of what Christ has done in their lives and in the world. This passage offers immense hope, reminding us that Jesus' power extends to the darkest corners of human experience, including spiritual oppression, mental anguish, and social alienation. No one is too far gone, too broken, or too bound for His liberating touch. It challenges us to look beyond superficial appearances and recognize the spiritual realities at play, trusting in Christ's ultimate victory over every opposing force. Our lives, transformed by His grace, become living testimonies to His power, compelling us to speak of the "means" by which we were healed and made whole.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the eyewitness testimony in this verse strengthen your faith in Jesus' power over evil?**
* **In what ways might you be called to be an "eyewitness" to God's work in your own life or community today?**
* **What does the comprehensive healing of the demoniac teach us about the scope of Jesus' redemptive work?**
* **Are there areas in your life or the lives of those you know that seem "beyond hope," and how does this passage encourage you to bring them to Jesus?**

### FAQ

**Why did the eyewitnesses focus on "by what means" the man was healed?**

Answer: The phrase "by what means" (Greek: _pōs_) emphasizes the extraordinary method and source of the healing, which was Jesus' direct, authoritative command. It highlights that this was not a conventional healing or exorcism, but a demonstration of unparalleled divine power. The witnesses were not just reporting the outcome but the unique way it occurred, underscoring Jesus' unique authority over the demonic realm and even over the natural world (as seen with the pigs). Their focus on the "means" served to magnify Jesus' power and set His actions apart from any human capability.

**What is the significance of the "devils" (demons) entering the pigs?**

Answer: The demons' request to enter the pigs, and Jesus' permission, served several significant purposes. Firstly, it visually confirmed the reality and multitude of the demons ("Legion" implies thousands) that had possessed the man, making their expulsion undeniable. Secondly, the immediate destruction of the pigs demonstrated the destructive nature of the demonic forces when unleashed, further validating the severity of the man's prior torment and the immense power required to subdue them. It also ensured that the demons were truly gone from the region, as they were drowned. This event served as a public, undeniable spectacle of Jesus' complete authority over the spiritual realm, even if it resulted in economic loss for the local community, which ultimately led to their fear and request for Jesus to depart ([Luke 8:37](/luke/8-37 "Luke 8:37 - The Gerasenes' Fear")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 8:36, with its focus on the eyewitness testimony to a man's liberation from demonic oppression, powerfully foreshadows and participates in the broader Christ-centered narrative of redemption. Jesus' authority over the "legion" of demons is a tangible demonstration of His ultimate victory over the powers of darkness, a victory fully realized in His death and resurrection. The healing of the Gerasene demoniac is a microcosm of the gospel's transformative power: just as this man was delivered from spiritual bondage and restored to sanity and community, so too does Christ's work on the cross offer liberation from the dominion of sin and death for all who believe ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). The comprehensive nature of the man's healing—spiritual, mental, and social—points to the holistic salvation offered by Jesus, who came not only to forgive sins but to restore humanity to its intended wholeness ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). The eyewitnesses' proclamation of "by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed" becomes a prophetic echo of the Church's mission to declare the "means" by which humanity is saved: through the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of [Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), who takes away the sin of the world and triumphs over every spiritual foe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")).

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

Matthew 4:24

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.