And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
LUKE 8:32KJVWhat does Luke 8:32 mean?
Luke 8:32 describes a large herd of pigs feeding on a hillside, and the demons who were speaking to Jesus begged him to let them enter the pigs instead of being sent away. Jesus allowed the demons to do as they asked, giving them permission to enter the pigs.
In this scene, Jesus is interacting with a man possessed by many demons in the region of the Gerasenes. The demons, fearing what Jesus might do to them, request to enter the nearby pigs rather than face a worse fate. The verse highlights Jesus’ authority over spiritual beings and sets up the dramatic events that follow, where the pigs rush into the lake.
The Greek behind Luke 8:32
- ἀγέλη (agelē, "herd"): This word refers specifically to a group of animals, usually larger animals like pigs or cattle. The use of this word emphasizes the size and collective nature of the animals present.
- ἐπέτρεψεν (epetrepsen, "he suffered/allowed"): This verb means to permit or give permission. The Greek here makes it clear that Jesus is in control of the situation and actively allows the demons’ request, rather than simply letting it happen by chance.
- εἰσελθεῖν (eiselthein, "to enter"): This verb means to go into or enter. The demons are asking for permission to move from the man into the pigs, showing their dependence on Jesus’ authority for any action.
Why Luke 8:32 matters
- This verse clarifies that Jesus has authority not only over people but also over spiritual beings, since the demons must ask his permission before acting.
- The detail about the pigs helps set the cultural and geographical context, showing this event took place in a non-Jewish area where pig farming was common.
- Understanding that Jesus allowed the demons’ request helps explain the dramatic outcome in the next verses and highlights the cost of the man’s deliverance.