When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

LUKE 8:28KJV
Know the Bible

Luke 8:28 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:28 mean?

Luke 8:28 describes a man possessed by a demon who, upon seeing Jesus, cries out loudly, falls down before Him, and begs Jesus not to torment him, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God Most High. The verse shows the demon’s fear and recognition of Jesus’ authority and divinity.

The scene takes place just after Jesus arrives in the region of the Gerasenes. The man, controlled by an unclean spirit, speaks directly to Jesus, calling Him "Jesus, thou Son of God most high." The demon’s plea, "torment me not," reveals both a fear of judgment and an acknowledgment that Jesus has the power to command and punish spiritual beings.

The Greek behind Luke 8:28

  • "ἐβόησεν" (eboēsen, "cried out") — This word means to shout or call out loudly, showing the demon’s panic and desperation in Jesus’ presence.
  • "Ἰησοῦ" (Iēsou, "Jesus") and "υἱὲ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ὑψίστου" (huie tou theou tou hypsistou, "Son of God Most High") — The demon uses a full, respectful title for Jesus, highlighting a recognition of His unique authority and divine status.
  • "Μή με βασανίσῃς" (mē me basanisēs, "torment me not") — The Greek word for "torment" here often refers to severe pain or punishment, especially in a judicial or spiritual sense, underlining the demon’s fear of what Jesus could do.

Why Luke 8:28 matters

  • This verse clears up any question about whether spiritual forces recognized Jesus’ identity; even hostile spirits acknowledge Him as the Son of God Most High.
  • The demon’s reaction highlights Jesus’ authority over the spiritual realm, a major theme in this part of Luke’s Gospel.
  • The plea not to be tormented connects to Jewish beliefs about the final judgment and shows that even demons expect Jesus to have the power to judge them.

Where else these words appear

“out” Greek G349 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
  • Mark 6:49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
  • Luke 4:33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,

“before” Greek G4363 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
  • Mark 5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
  • Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

“torment” Greek G928 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
  • Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
  • Revelation 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

“high” Greek G5310 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
  • Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
  • Luke 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.