Question 1

What does Matthew 8:30 mean?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 8:30 describes how, at some distance from Jesus and the men possessed by demons, there was a large herd of pigs feeding. This detail sets the scene for what happens next in the story, where the demons request to enter the pigs. In this moment, Jesus is in the region of the Gadarenes, a mostly Gentile area, and has just encountered two men possessed by demons. The mention of a "herd of many swine" highlights that this is not a Jewish area, since pigs were considered unclean animals in Jewish law. This detail prepares the reader for the unusual request the demons will make and the dramatic events that follow.

Question 2

The Greek behind Matthew 8:30

Accepted Answer

The word for "off" is μακράν (makran, G3112), which often means "at a distance" or "far away." This shows the herd of pigs was not right next to Jesus and the possessed men, but far enough away to be noticed. The term for "herd" is ἀγέλη (agelē, G34), which refers to a group of animals, usually larger animals like pigs or cattle. This emphasizes the size and organization of the group. The word for "many" is πολλοί (polloi, G4183), meaning "numerous" or "a large number." The text stresses that this was not just a few pigs, but a significant herd. The word for "swine" is χοίρων (choirōn, G5519), specifically meaning pigs, which would stand out to a Jewish audience as an unclean animal.

Question 3

Why Matthew 8:30 matters

Accepted Answer

The mention of pigs helps clarify the setting as Gentile territory, since Jews did not keep herds of swine due to dietary laws. The detail about the herd being "a good way off" shows that what happens next—the demons entering the pigs—was visible and dramatic, not hidden or ambiguous. This verse sets up the following miracle, making it clear that Jesus' authority will soon be demonstrated in a way that involves both the spiritual and physical worlds.

Matthew 8:30 (KJV)