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.