Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
LUKE 8:37KJVWhat does Luke 8:37 mean?
Luke 8:37 describes how all the people from the region around the Gadarenes urgently asked Jesus to leave their area because they were overwhelmed by fear. In response, Jesus got into a boat and returned to the other side.
This moment comes right after Jesus healed a man possessed by many demons, which caused a dramatic scene and led to the destruction of a herd of pigs. The people, witnessing this power and the loss of their livestock, became afraid rather than grateful. Their request for Jesus to leave shows how his presence and actions unsettled them more than the man's previous condition.
The Greek behind Luke 8:37
- The word for "besought" is ἐρωτάω (erōtaō), which means to ask or beg earnestly. This highlights that the people were not just politely requesting, but urgently pleading with Jesus to go.
- The phrase "taken with great fear" uses the Greek word φόβος (phobos) for "fear" and μεγάς (megas) for "great." The sense is not just ordinary fear, but a powerful, overwhelming terror that gripped the whole crowd.
- The term "multitude" is πλῆθος (plēthos), meaning a large number or crowd, emphasizing that this was not just a few individuals but the entire community responding together.
Why Luke 8:37 matters
- Luke 8:37 helps clarify that not everyone who sees a miracle responds with faith or gratitude; sometimes, people react with fear or rejection.
- The verse shows the disruptive impact of Jesus’ power, especially when it challenges local customs or economic interests, as with the loss of the pigs.
- This moment sets up a contrast with the man who was healed, who wanted to follow Jesus, while the rest of the community wanted Jesus gone, highlighting different responses to encountering Jesus.