Question 1

What does Luke 8:30 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Greek behind Luke 8:30

Accepted Answer

"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.

Question 3

Why Luke 8:30 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Luke 8:30 (KJV)