And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

LUKE 8:30KJV
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Luke 8:30 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:30 mean?

Luke 8:30 describes Jesus asking a man possessed by evil spirits for his name, and the man replies "Legion," explaining that many demons have entered him. This shows the seriousness of the man's condition and the large number of evil spirits involved.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to a man who is suffering from demonic possession. The word "Legion" refers to a large group, originally a Roman military term for thousands of soldiers, which emphasizes the overwhelming spiritual oppression the man is under. The verse sets the stage for Jesus' authority over even a great number of evil forces.

The Greek behind Luke 8:30

  • "Λεγιών" (Legiōn, transliterated "Legion"): This word is borrowed from the Latin term for a Roman army unit of several thousand soldiers. Here, it is used to express that the man is possessed by a vast number of demons, not just one.
  • "πολλοί" (polloi, "many"): This word clarifies that the possession is not by a single spirit but by a multitude, reinforcing the severity of the situation.
  • "δαιμόνια" (daimonia, "devils" or "demons"): The Greek term refers to evil spirits, and its plural form here highlights the collective presence of these beings within the man.

Why Luke 8:30 matters

  • Luke 8:30 clears up any idea that the man is only dealing with one evil spirit, showing instead that his suffering is extreme and overwhelming.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ willingness to engage directly with the source of the man’s torment, asking for a name and thus confronting the evil head-on.
  • By using the term "Legion," the story connects the spiritual struggle to something the original audience would recognize as powerful and intimidating, making Jesus’ later victory even more striking.

Where else these words appear

“Legion” Greek G3003 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
  • Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
  • Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

“devils” Greek G1140 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
  • Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
  • Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

“asked” Greek G1905 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
  • Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?