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.

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}.

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

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

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.

Context

Matthew 8:33 describes the immediate aftermath of one of Jesus's most dramatic miracles: the casting out of a "legion" of demons from two men into a herd of about two thousand swine, which then rushed down a steep bank into the Sea of Galilee and drowned. This extraordinary event, detailed in Matthew 8:28-32, occurred in the region of the Gergesenes (also known as the Gadarenes in parallel accounts). The herdsmen, who were tending the pigs, witnessed this terrifying display of divine power and the catastrophic loss of their livelihood. Their flight and subsequent report to the city were driven by shock, fear, and the urgent need to inform the inhabitants about the astounding and destructive incident they had just experienced.

Key Themes

  • Witness and Testimony: The swineherds, despite their likely fear and concern over economic loss, became unwilling but effective witnesses to Jesus's power. Their immediate action to flee and report "every thing" ensured that news of the miracle would spread rapidly throughout the surrounding city and countryside. This highlights how God's work can be publicized even by those who do not fully grasp its spiritual implications or who are motivated by worldly concerns.
  • The Impact of Divine Authority: This verse underscores the profound and disruptive impact of Jesus's absolute authority over evil spirits and even over creation. The sudden, violent expulsion of demons and the subsequent destruction of the herd were so overwhelming that they compelled the herdsmen to spread the story, demonstrating that Jesus's power could not be ignored.
  • Human Reaction to the Supernatural: The herdsmen's flight and detailed report set the stage for the city's reaction, which is revealed in the following verse, Matthew 8:34. Their panic and subsequent communication reveal the profound disruption and fear that Jesus's presence and power could evoke, especially when it challenged established norms, economic interests, or comfortable routines.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "possessed of the devils" translates the Greek word daimonizomenoi, which literally means "demonized" or "demon-possessed." In the KJV, the term "devils" here refers specifically to demons (daimonia), not to Satan himself (diabolos). This distinction is important for understanding the nature of the spiritual entities involved. The account emphasizes the severe oppression faced by the men and Jesus's clear and undeniable authority over these malevolent spiritual forces.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that encounters with God's transformative power often evoke strong and varied reactions from people. Just as the swineherds felt compelled to report what they saw, believers today are called to be witnesses to the transformative power of Jesus Christ in their own lives and in the world. Our testimony, whether formal or informal, contributes to the spread of the Gospel. It also illustrates that human responses to divine intervention are not always positive; some embrace it with faith, while others, driven by fear, material concerns, or a desire for comfort, may seek to avoid or even reject the presence of God's power, as the subsequent verses in this narrative reveal.

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 8:34

    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.

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