Matthew 8:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they that kept {G1006} them fled {G5343}, and {G2532} went their ways {G565} into {G1519} the city {G4172}, and told {G518} every thing {G3956}, and {G2532} what was befallen to the possessed of the devils {G1139}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The swineherds fled, went off to the town and told the whole story, including what had happened to the demonized men.

Berean Standard Bible

Those tending the pigs ran off into the town and reported all this, including the account of the demon-possessed men.

American Standard Version

And they that fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything, and what was befallen to them that were possessed with demons.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 8:33 details the immediate reaction of the swineherds after Jesus cast a legion of demons from two men into their herd of pigs, causing the animals to rush into the sea and drown. Overwhelmed by the terrifying display of divine power and the catastrophic loss, the herdsmen fled the scene, making their way into the nearby city to report every detail of what had occurred, particularly focusing on the dramatic transformation of the demon-possessed men and the fate of the swine. This verse serves as a pivotal point, transitioning the narrative from the miraculous event itself to its profound impact on the local community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows one of Jesus's most dramatic and powerful exorcisms, recounted in [Matthew 8:28-32](/matthew/8-28-32 "Matthew 8:28-32 - Jesus Casts Out Demons into Pigs"). Jesus had just crossed the Sea of Galilee into the region of the Gergesenes (or Gadarenes in parallel accounts), where He was confronted by two exceedingly fierce demon-possessed men. After a brief exchange, the demons recognized Jesus's authority and pleaded to be sent into a nearby herd of pigs. Jesus granted their request, leading to the entire herd's immediate destruction in the sea. Matthew 8:33 thus describes the first human response to this astonishing event, setting the stage for the city's reaction in [Matthew 8:34](/matthew/8-34 "Matthew 8:34 - The City's Reaction to Jesus"). It marks the narrative shift from Jesus's action to the community's perception and subsequent interaction with Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The region of the Gergesenes/Gadarenes was predominantly Gentile, as evidenced by the presence of a large herd of pigs, which were unclean animals according to Jewish dietary laws ([Leviticus 11:7-8](/leviticus/11-7-8 "Leviticus 11:7-8 - Unclean Animals")). This context highlights Jesus's ministry extending beyond Jewish territories, demonstrating His universal authority. Swineherds were likely non-Jewish or, if Jewish, were engaged in a ritually impure occupation, making them marginalized figures. Their immediate flight and report to the city are understandable given the immense economic loss (a herd of "about two thousand" pigs, as mentioned in [Mark 5:13](/mark/5-13 "Mark 5:13 - The Destruction of the Pigs")) and the sheer terror of witnessing such a supernatural event. The city, being a hub of activity and governance, was the natural place for such a significant and alarming report to be made.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 8:33 contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **unquestionable authority of Jesus** over all spiritual forces, even those as powerful as a "legion" of demons. The demons' immediate obedience and the subsequent destruction of the pigs confirm His supreme power, a theme consistently highlighted throughout [Matthew's account of Jesus's ministry](/matthew/8 "Matthew 8 - Jesus's Authority Over Sickness, Nature, and Demons"). Secondly, it introduces the theme of **witness and testimony**, as the herdsmen, despite their fear and potential economic ruin, become unwilling but effective heralds of Jesus's miracle. Their report ensures the news spreads, albeit with mixed reactions, echoing the broader call to proclaim the kingdom of God as seen in [Matthew 10:7](/matthew/10-7 "Matthew 10:7 - Proclaiming the Kingdom"). Lastly, the verse foreshadows the **varied human responses to divine power**, revealing that not all reactions are of faith or acceptance, but can also be driven by fear, economic concerns, or a desire for the status quo, as will be seen in the following verse.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kept (Greek, _bóskō'_):** This verb signifies "to pasture," "to feed," or "to graze." It highlights the herdsmen's role as caretakers of the pigs, emphasizing their direct involvement and eyewitness status to the events. Their responsibility for the herd underscores the magnitude of the economic loss they just witnessed, providing a strong motivation for their subsequent actions.
* **fled (Greek, _pheúgō'_):** This word means "to run away," "to escape," or "to shun." It vividly describes the herdsmen's immediate, panicked reaction to the terrifying and inexplicable events. Their flight was not merely an act of abandonment but a desperate escape from a scene of overwhelming supernatural power and destruction, indicating profound fear and shock.
* **told (Greek, _apangéllō'_):** This verb means "to announce," "to report," or "to declare." It indicates a formal or official communication, suggesting that the herdsmen were not merely gossiping but delivering a significant, urgent report to the city authorities and inhabitants. Their testimony, though born of fear, served to widely publicize Jesus's power.
* **possessed of the devils (Greek, _daimonízomai'_):** This term, in its middle voice, literally means "to be exercised by a demon" or "to be demonized." It accurately describes the state of the two men from whom Jesus cast out the evil spirits. The KJV's "devils" here refers to "demons" (_daimonia_), distinct from Satan himself (_diabolos_). This emphasizes the severe spiritual oppression the men suffered and the dramatic nature of their deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that kept them fled,"**: This clause immediately establishes the reaction of the swineherds. Having witnessed the catastrophic drowning of their entire herd—a direct consequence of Jesus's authority over the demons—their primary response is one of terror and self-preservation. Their flight underscores the overwhelming nature of the miracle and the profound fear it instilled.
* **"and went their ways into the city,"**: Following their flight, the herdsmen's next logical step was to seek refuge and report the incident to the community. The "city" (likely Gadara or Gergesa) was the center of local life and authority, making it the natural destination for reporting such a significant and disturbing event. This action ensures the news will spread rapidly.
* **"and told every thing,"**: This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their report. Driven by shock and the need to explain the inexplicable, the herdsmen recounted all the details of the miracle, from the encounter with the demon-possessed men to the demons' request to enter the pigs, and the subsequent destruction of the herd. Their full disclosure serves to broadcast Jesus's power widely.
* **"and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils."**: This final clause highlights the central focus of their report: the transformation of the demon-possessed men. The herdsmen specifically emphasized the deliverance of these men, whose prior condition was well-known and feared. This detail would have been particularly astonishing, demonstrating Jesus's unique authority over malevolent spiritual forces and the profound change He brought to the men's lives.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 8:33 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Narrative Progression** is evident as the verse smoothly transitions the story from the miraculous event itself to its immediate aftermath and the spreading of the news, effectively building anticipation for the city's reaction. The herdsmen serve as **Witness Testimony**, their flight and detailed report acting as a crucial narrative mechanism to disseminate information about Jesus's power. Their account, though driven by fear and economic loss rather than faith, nonetheless validates the miracle. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** in that the very people who witness Jesus's power most directly (the herdsmen) react with fear and a desire to avoid Him, setting up the city's subsequent request for Jesus to leave their region. This contrasts with the expected response of awe and worship, highlighting the complex nature of human reactions to divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 8:33 powerfully illustrates the disruptive nature of divine power when it confronts the established order, whether spiritual or societal. The herdsmen's flight and report underscore that Jesus's authority cannot be ignored; His presence demands a response. This event serves as a microcosm of the broader impact of the Gospel: it reveals the profound reality of spiritual warfare and Jesus's absolute sovereignty over all evil, while also exposing the human tendency to prioritize comfort, economic stability, or the familiar over the transformative, sometimes unsettling, presence of God. The extensive nature of their report ("every thing") ensures that the news of Jesus's power over demons, even if initially met with fear, will spread throughout the community, laying the groundwork for future encounters with His authority.

* [Mark 5:14](/mark/5-14 "Mark 5:14 - The Herdsmen's Report in Mark")
* [Luke 8:34](/luke/8-34 "Luke 8:34 - The Herdsmen's Report in Luke")
* [Acts 4:20](/acts/4-20 "Acts 4:20 - We Cannot But Speak")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The reaction of the swineherds in Matthew 8:33 offers a profound mirror for our own responses to God's work in the world. Confronted with an undeniable display of divine power, their immediate concern was not worship or inquiry, but fear and the need to report a disruptive, costly event. This reminds us that encounters with God's transformative presence can be unsettling, challenging our comfort zones, economic interests, or preconceived notions. True faith, however, calls us beyond mere reporting of facts to a deeper engagement with the One who commands even the forces of evil. We are called not just to witness miracles, but to understand their spiritual significance and allow them to transform our hearts. Our response to Jesus's authority should move beyond fear to a place of trust, surrender, and active participation in His kingdom work, even when it demands personal cost or challenges our status quo.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when God's power manifests in ways that disrupt my comfort or challenge my expectations?**
* **In what ways might I be like the herdsmen, more concerned with earthly losses or disruptions than with the spiritual victory and authority of Christ?**
* **Am I willing to be a witness to Jesus's power, even when my testimony might be met with fear or rejection by others?**

### FAQ

**Why did the herdsmen flee instead of celebrating Jesus's miracle?**

Answer: The herdsmen's reaction was primarily one of overwhelming fear and economic shock, rather than spiritual understanding or celebration. They had just witnessed a supernatural event of immense power that resulted in the catastrophic loss of their entire livelihood—a herd of thousands of pigs. This was an unprecedented, terrifying, and financially devastating experience. Their flight was a natural human response to such an overwhelming and inexplicable display of power that directly impacted them negatively. Their immediate concern was to report the incident to the city, not to worship or understand the spiritual implications of Jesus's authority over demons. The narrative in [Matthew 8:34](/matthew/8-34 "Matthew 8:34 - The City's Reaction to Jesus") further reveals that the city's inhabitants shared this fear, asking Jesus to leave their region.

**What is the significance of the herdsmen "telling everything" to the city?**

Answer: The herdsmen "telling every thing" is highly significant because it ensures that news of Jesus's extraordinary power over demons and the subsequent destruction of the pigs spreads rapidly and widely throughout the community. Despite their fear and lack of faith, the herdsmen become unwilling but effective witnesses to Jesus's authority. Their detailed report, though motivated by shock and the need to explain the inexplicable, serves to publicize the miracle. This act of "telling everything" sets the stage for the city's reaction and underscores that Jesus's actions, even in a Gentile region, could not be hidden. It highlights how God can use even those with mixed motives to further His purposes and proclaim His power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 8:33, while detailing a specific event, points to the broader Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The flight and report of the herdsmen, though driven by fear, serve to publicize the absolute authority of Jesus over the powers of darkness. This event is a powerful demonstration that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, the Son of God, who has come to "destroy the works of the devil" as proclaimed in [1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Came to Destroy the Works of the Devil"). The deliverance of the demon-possessed men foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death, offering true freedom to those enslaved by spiritual forces ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). The reaction of the herdsmen and the city, prioritizing economic loss and comfort over the presence of divine power, also subtly prefigures the world's often-negative response to the Gospel, which challenges human autonomy and worldly values, ultimately culminating in the rejection and crucifixion of Christ ([John 1:10-11](/john/1-10-11 "John 1:10-11 - He Came to His Own")). Yet, through His death and resurrection, Jesus fully accomplished the defeat of Satan and his dominion, offering eternal life and true liberation to all who believe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Deliverance from 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

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.

Luke 8:36

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

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.

Mark 5:16

And they that saw [it] told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and [also] concerning the swine.

Acts 19:15

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

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.