So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.

MATTHEW 8:31KJV
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Matthew 8:31 (KJV)

What does Matthew 8:31 mean?

Matthew 8:31 describes how the demons, knowing Jesus was about to cast them out of two possessed men, begged him to let them enter a herd of pigs instead of being sent away with no place to go. The verse shows the demons recognizing Jesus’ authority and asking for permission rather than resisting him.

In this scene, Jesus is confronted by men possessed by demons in the region of the Gadarenes. The demons speak to Jesus, addressing him directly and making a request. The verse highlights the supernatural situation: the demons are aware of Jesus’ power to command them and seek an alternative to being left without a host, asking to enter a nearby herd of swine.

The Greek behind Matthew 8:31

  • The word for "devils" is δαίμονες (daimones), which is often translated as "demons" rather than "devils." This points to spiritual beings opposed to God, not the devil himself.
  • The verb "besought" is παρεκάλεσαν (parekalesan), which means "they begged" or "they pleaded." This shows the demons are not defiant but are pleading with Jesus, recognizing his authority over them.
  • The word "suffer" is ἐπίτρεψον (epitrepson), meaning "permit" or "allow." The demons are asking for Jesus’ permission, not acting on their own power.
  • The term for "herd" is ἀγέλη (agelē), which specifically refers to a group of animals, in this case, pigs, highlighting the unusual request to enter unclean animals according to Jewish law.

Why Matthew 8:31 matters

  • This verse clears up that the demons do not have free rein; they must ask Jesus for permission, which emphasizes his authority even over evil spiritual beings.
  • The request to enter pigs, animals considered unclean by Jewish standards, underlines the separation between the spiritual world and the Jewish community, and the seriousness of the possession.
  • Matthew 8:31 connects to the wider passage by setting up the dramatic event where the demons enter the pigs, leading to a visible and memorable demonstration of Jesus’ power to deliver people from evil.

Where else these words appear

“devils” Greek G1142 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
  • Luke 8:29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
  • Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

“herd” Greek G34 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
  • Mark 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
  • Luke 8:32 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.

“swine” Greek G5519 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
  • Mark 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
  • Luke 8:32 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.

“suffer” Greek G2010 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
  • Luke 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
  • Acts 27:3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.