Matthew 8:32 (KJV)

What does Matthew 8:32 mean?

Matthew 8:32 describes Jesus giving permission for demons to leave two men and enter a herd of pigs, which then rush down a steep bank into the sea and drown. This verse shows Jesus’ authority over spiritual forces and the dramatic result of the demons’ departure.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to the demons who have possessed two men in the region of the Gadarenes. The demons beg Jesus to let them go into a nearby herd of pigs instead of being sent away entirely. When Jesus simply says, “Go,” the demons leave the men, enter the pigs, and the entire herd runs violently into the water and dies. The event is witnessed by those tending the pigs and becomes a striking demonstration of Jesus’ power and the destructive nature of the demons.

The Greek behind Matthew 8:32

• The word “Go” (Ὑπάγετε, hupagete) is a command from Jesus, showing His authority; the Greek word carries a sense of dismissal or sending away, not just permission.
• The word for “swine” (χοῖρος, choiros) is used for the pigs, which were considered unclean animals in Jewish culture, highlighting the unusual and shocking nature of the event.
• The phrase “ran violently” (ὥρμησεν, hormēsen) suggests a sudden, forceful rush, emphasizing the chaos and destruction that followed the demons’ entry into the pigs.
• The word for “perished” (ἀπέθανον, apethanon) means to die or be destroyed, making it clear the pigs did not survive the encounter.

Why Matthew 8:32 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jesus’ authority extends even over evil spirits, and that His word alone is enough to command them.
• The destruction of the pigs shows the harmful intent of the demons, making visible what was happening invisibly to the possessed men.
• The dramatic outcome sets up the reaction of the townspeople in the following verses, helping explain why they respond with fear and ask Jesus to leave their region.