Luke 8:27 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:27 mean?

Luke 8:27 describes how, as Jesus steps onto land, he is immediately met by a man from the city who has been possessed by demons for a long time, wears no clothes, and lives not in a house but among the tombs. This verse sets the scene for an encounter between Jesus and a man in extreme distress, isolated from society.

Luke, the writer, is narrating what happens as Jesus arrives in the region across the lake from Galilee. The man’s condition—being unclothed, homeless, and living among graves—shows how deeply the possession has affected him and how cut off he is from normal life. This introduction prepares the reader for the dramatic events that follow, highlighting the seriousness of the man's suffering and the need for help.

The Greek behind Luke 8:27

• "devils" (δαιμόνια, daimonia): This word refers to evil spirits or demons, not just a general sense of madness or illness. The Greek here makes clear that the man’s condition is understood as spiritual oppression.
• "tombs" (μνῆμα, mnēma): The word for tombs refers to burial places, often caves or stone chambers outside the city. Living among tombs would have been seen as both physically dangerous and ritually unclean, emphasizing the man’s separation from society.
• "met" (ὑπήντησεν, hypēntēsen): This word often means to come out to meet someone, sometimes with urgency or intent. The Greek suggests the man is not just passively encountered but actively comes toward Jesus.

Why Luke 8:27 matters

• This verse highlights the extreme isolation and suffering caused by the man’s possession, making the following miracle more striking.
• By mentioning the man’s lack of clothing and dwelling among tombs, Luke emphasizes how completely the man’s life has been disrupted, showing the depth of his need.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up a dramatic contrast between the man’s hopeless situation and the hope Jesus brings, preparing the reader for the power of Jesus’ intervention.