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 8:37KJV
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Luke 8:37 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“Gadarenes” Greek G1046 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
  • Luke 8:26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

“country” Greek G4066 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
  • Mark 6:55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
  • Luke 4:37 And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

“taken” Greek G4912 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
  • Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

“up” Greek G1684 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
  • Matthew 15:39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.
  • Luke 5:3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.