And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

LUKE 8:31KJV
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Luke 8:31 (KJV)

What does Luke 8:31 mean?

Luke 8:31 describes how the demons begged Jesus not to send them away into "the deep." They pleaded with him, asking that he would not command them to go out into this place, which they feared.

In this scene, Jesus is confronting a man possessed by many demons. The demons, speaking through the man, are afraid that Jesus will send them into "the deep"—a term often understood as a place of confinement or punishment for evil spirits. Their request shows both their recognition of Jesus' authority and their dread of being sent to this dreaded place.

The Greek behind Luke 8:31

  • "the deep" (ἄβυσσος, abyssos): This Greek word means a bottomless or immeasurably deep place. In Jewish thought of the time, it was often linked to the underworld or a prison for demons, which helps explain why the demons are so afraid of being sent there.
  • "besought" (παρακαλέω, parakaleō): This word means to beg or plead earnestly. The use of this word highlights the desperation and fear of the demons as they appeal to Jesus.
  • "command" (ἐπιτάσσω, epitassō): This verb means to order or give a strict command. The demons recognize that Jesus has the authority to send them wherever he chooses, underlining his power over the spiritual realm.

Why Luke 8:31 matters

  • Luke 8:31 clarifies that even evil spirits recognize and fear the authority of Jesus, which is a key theme in the surrounding passage.
  • The verse helps explain why the demons later ask to enter the herd of pigs, showing their desire to avoid being sent to a place of punishment.
  • Understanding "the deep" as a place of confinement for demons adds depth to the story, showing that the spiritual world in Luke's Gospel is taken seriously and that Jesus' authority extends even there.

Where else these words appear

“deep” Greek G12 · used in 9 verses

  • Romans 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep?(that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
  • Revelation 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
  • Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

“would” Greek G2004 · used in 10 verses

  • Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
  • Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
  • Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

“that” Greek G3363 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
  • John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
  • Philippians 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

“besought” Greek G3870 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • Acts 16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?